This position is located in the Office of Industry and Competitiveness Analysis, of the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). Economists develop cutting-edge methods to analyze issues of trade and trade policy, and apply these methods in independent research and collaborative, team-based investigations for the Congress and the President. The Commission may offer recruitment incentives for this position.

Duties

We are looking for an individual with strong economic research and analytical skills who is comfortable working in a team environment and who has demonstrated exceptional written and oral communication skills. At the entry level of this position, you will: Develop and maintain broad, current subject matter knowledge of services industries, products, and global markets, as well as a thorough understanding of the issues, programs, and policies that impact trade and competitiveness in assigned industries and markets including developing and maintaining contacts with industry officials and with other government agencies; Research and obtain data from relevant primary and secondary sources; analyze important trade and competitiveness issues using a wide range of appropriate data; assist in the development and implementation of analytical techniques and research methodologies that accomplish project objectives; and contribute analysis to support agency investigations, decisions, and determinations; Independently prepare a variety of standard written materials, prepare and deliver formal briefings for internal and external stakeholders; Working independently or as a member of a team, perform research, analysis, and associated functions which address mission elements critical to agency priorities and objectives. Participate with negotiating teams representing the Commission to key industry sectors and associations and participate on major projects which are central to the agency mission. When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses. Career ladder promotions are at the discretion of the supervisor, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen or national
• You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance
• You may be required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement
• You must be able to pass a background investigation
• You are required to register for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/03/59
• We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.

Qualifications

You must meet all the requirements below by the closing date of the announcement and they must be clearly identified in your application, resume, or supporting documents. This includes any general and specialized experience, education, and/or selective placement factors mentioned. These are used to determine if you possess the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to successfully perform in this position. You must meet the following United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements for the advertised position. OPM's prescribed Group Coverage Qualification Standard for the Economist Series, 0110: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/economist-series-0110/. Basic Education requirement for all applicants: 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. You are required to submit a copy of your transcript(s) to verify this requirement. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must have one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility at, or equivalent to, the GS-9 level obtained in the Federal service or in the private or non-profit sector OR possession of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in international trade, international relations, economic, business, finance, or other trade related field. Specialized experience would include 1 or more of: (i) as related to major services industries such as digital, financial, transportation, and professional services, knowledge of trade laws and regulations, current trade and market conditions, and factors of competitiveness in the United States and leading global markets; (ii) identifying and obtaining economic and trade information, and in processing and manipulating data; (iii) preparing a variety of written materials on complex topics and submitting written materials to others for editorial and technical review, as a demonstration of oral communication skills; and (iv) planning, designing, carrying out, and leading projects, studies, or other work, as part of a team. To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must have one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility at, or equivalent to, the GS-11 level obtained in the Federal service or in the private or non-profit sector. Specialized experience would include 2 or more of: (i) as related to major services industries such as digital, financial, transportation, and professional services, knowledge of trade laws and regulations, current trade and market conditions, and factors of competitiveness in the United States and leading global markets; (ii) identifying and obtaining economic and trade information, and in processing and manipulating data; (iii) preparing a variety of written materials on complex topics and submitting written materials to others for editorial and technical review, as a demonstration of oral communication skills; and (iv) planning, designing, carrying out, and leading projects, studies, or other work, as part of a team. To qualify at the GS-13 level, you must have one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility at, or equivalent to, the GS-12 level obtained in the Federal service or in the private or non-profit sector. Specialized experience would include 3 or more of: (i) as related to major services industries such as digital, financial, transportation, and professional services, knowledge of trade laws and regulations, current trade and market conditions, and factors of competitiveness in the United States and leading global markets; (ii) identifying and obtaining economic and trade information, and in processing and manipulating data; (iii) preparing a variety of written materials on complex topics and submitting written materials to others for editorial and technical review, as a demonstration of oral communication skills; and (iv) planning, designing, carrying out, and leading projects, studies, or other work, as part of a team. To qualify at the GS-14 level, you must have one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility at, or equivalent to, the GS-13 level obtained in the Federal service or in the private or non-profit sector. Specialized experience would include all 4 of: (i) as related to major services industries such as digital, financial, transportation, and professional services, knowledge of trade laws and regulations, current trade and market conditions, and factors of competitiveness in the United States and leading global markets; (ii) identifying and obtaining economic and trade information, and in processing and manipulating data; (iii) preparing a variety of written materials on complex topics and submitting written materials to others for editorial and technical review, as a demonstration of oral communication skills; and (iv) planning, designing, carrying out, and leading projects, studies, or other work, as part of a team. 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, knowledge, and skills 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

This occupation has a positive education and specialized experience requirement. Specifics are detailed below:

Basic Education requirement for all applicants:

Possession of BA or higher degree in Economics that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting or calculus. You are required to submit a copy of your transcript(s) to verify this requirement.

Education May be Substituted for Experience as Follows:

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.

At the GS-11 level: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree

At the GS-12 level: There is no substitution of education for experience at this level.

At the GS-13 level: There is no substitution of education for experience at this level.

At the GS-14 level: There is no substitution of education for experience at this level.

COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
To combine your experience and education, you must convert the figures to a percentage and add them together. The combined total percentages of your education and experience must equal at least 100% to qualify.

To calculate your percentage of undergraduate education, divide the number of undergraduate hours you've completed by 120. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, divide the number of graduate semester hours you've completed by 18. If your education is currently described in quarter hours, convert the quarter hours into semester hours by multiplying the quarter hours by the fraction 2/3. To determine your percentage of qualifying experience, you must divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by the required number of months of experience.

Finally, add your experience and education percentages. The two percentages must total at least 100% to be considered qualified.

You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts for verification of the education requirements. Unofficial copies are acceptable, however, if selected you will be required to furnish official transcripts. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the above educational requirements. Inadequate or illegible information could result in non-qualification and loss of consideration.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - US Department of Education. Another listing of services that an perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials: http://www.naces.org/members.htm.

Contacts

• Address Office of Industry and Competitiveness Analysis 500 E St SW Washington, DC 20436 US
• Name: Jodelle Miller
• Email: [email protected]