This position is located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). This position is for an International Economist who must independently collect, review, evaluate, and analyze foreign economic data and market information on the supply, demand, trade, and prices of specified agricultural commodities as they impact U.S. trade. This position is part of the Caeer Civil Service Momentum Program (CCSMP).

Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade level, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. Completes assignments from supervisors requiring conceptualization of market and/or trade policy developments, and the ability to transfer market intelligence into statistical and graphical relationships. Conduct foreign market/policy studies and analyses of world-wide supply, trade, marketing, and consumption of agricultural; commodities with emphasis on their direct or indirect impact on U.S. exports. Monitor, analyze, and report problems on foreign market developments, programs and policies which could affect the world outlook for the assigned commodity or commodities. Participate in all aspects of report publication, including data entry, table formation, and conceptualizing of graphics. Assist in the preparation of computer- generated reports in the Division. Help prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual trade estimates, and reviews and obtains final clearance for said reports.

Requirements

• This position is a bargaining with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 3976.
• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: A. Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. -or- B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement, you also need to meet the following: TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates Evaluating, researching/collecting, and analyzing current and historical trends of economic data, as well as formulating conclusions and report preparation. Preparing tables, charts, graphs, or maps to better illustrate and support analytical conclusions; and Experience applying economic techniques and principles using mathematical and/or econometric models, statistical techniques, and software. OR a Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in international relations, international economics, international business, international trade, business administration or related degrees or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Evaluation, research/collection, and analysis of current and historical trends of economic or agricultural data. Preparation of tables, charts, graphs, or maps involved with economic analysis. Accessing and manipulating data from numerous sources and in database management systems. Application of economic techniques and principles using mathematical and/or econometric models, statistical techniques, and software. Present or teach economic concepts to specialized and general lay audiences. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in international relations, international economics, international business, international trade, business administration or related degrees, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09 and GS-11 GRADE LEVELS: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. To learn more about combining education and experience for this series, click the following: Combining Education and Experience for Administrative and Management Positions FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Applying economic theories, concepts, and techniques to the field of agricultural trade; Writing, reviewing, and editing economic, agricultural, or trade studies, working papers, and briefing materials; Summarizing and advising on trade and/or international agricultural policies and/or programs; and Collecting, evaluating, and analyzing current and historical trends of economic or agricultural data. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Foreign Agricultural Service Human Capital Management Division 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Paige Payne
• Phone: 202-572-5970
• Email: [email protected]