The Office of Inspector General (OIG), works within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to promote efficiency and effectiveness, and prevent or stop waste, fraud and abuse in departmental programs.  We do this through audits and investigations.  OIG also consults with Congress about programs in progress and proposed new laws and regulations.  The Inspector General Act of 1978 gives the Office of Inspector General autonomy to do its work without interference.  

Duties

This position is located in the DOT-OIG economics group, which produces its own research and consults on work throughout the agency. The economics group’s research requires advanced expertise in microeconometrics, and increasingly involves machine learning techniques. DOT-OIG economists are required to continue to develop their skills through continuing education and attending economics conferences. In addition, they have published and are encouraged to publish in peer-reviewed journals.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a background investigation.
• Must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 P.M. EST on the closing date.
• Mandatory education requirement - Must submit transcripts.

Qualifications

In addition to the Basic Requirements, applicants must have one year of specialized experience. Basic Requirements Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. or Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Evaluation of Experience Examples of qualifying experience include: individual economic research assignments requiring planning, information assembly, analysis and evaluation, conclusions and report preparation; supervisory or project coordination assignments involving a staff of professional economists, and requiring the evaluation and interpretation of economic information; or teaching assignments in a college or university that included both class instruction in economics subjects and one of the following (1) personal research that produced evidence of results, (2) direction of graduate theses in economics, or (3) service as a consultant or advisor on technical economics problems. Experience in related fields that did not involve the use and understanding of economic principles and theories may not be used as qualifying experience for these positions. Special attention on this point should be given to certain types of work that may or may not have provided professional economic experience. The following examples of work require special care in such determinations: economic statistics; industrial surveys; management of individual business enterprises, including farms; industrial planning; writing or editorial work in economic subjects; and financial market analysis. AND Specialized Experience GS-15: Applicant must have one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service.  Examples of specialized experience include: Planning and conducting advanced microeconomics research, including the application of complex, quantitative methods, and resulting in the production of several professional quality empirical economic research papers; and also include some experience supervising or guiding others in conducting research. ***PhD PREFERRED*** Candidate applications will be evaluated using the following competencies:  Technical Competence:  Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one’s job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. Quantitative Economic Methods: Uses advanced knowledge and expertise in quantitative economic methods to address the questions and issues at hand. Managing Human Resources: Plans, distributes, coordinates, and monitors work assignments of others; evaluates work performance and provides feedback to others on their performance; ensures that staff are appropriately selected, utilized, and developed, and that they are treated in a fair and equitable manner. Technical Writing: Conveys technical material in writing using plain language. Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Education

Basic Requirements

1. Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus.

   or

2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Evaluation of Experience

Examples of qualifying experience include:

1. individual economic research assignments requiring planning, information assembly, analysis and evaluation, conclusions and report preparation;
2. supervisory or project coordination assignments involving a staff of professional economists, and requiring the evaluation and interpretation of economic information; or
3. teaching assignments in a college or university that included both class instruction in economics subjects and one of the following (1) personal research that produced evidence of results, (2) direction of graduate theses in economics, or (3) service as a consultant or advisor on technical economics problems.

Experience in related fields that did not involve the use and understanding of economic principles and theories may not be used as qualifying experience for these positions. Special attention on this point should be given to certain types of work that may or may not have provided professional economic experience. The following examples of work require special care in such determinations:

1. economic statistics;
2. industrial surveys;
3. management of individual business enterprises, including farms;
4. industrial planning;
5. writing or editorial work in economic subjects; and
6. financial market analysis.

Contacts

• Address DOT, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 1200 New Jersey Ave SE West Building, Room W71-123 Washington, District of Columbia 20590 United States
• Name: Myra Clemens
• Phone: 202-366-1490
• Email: [email protected]