The Surface Transportation Board is an independent federal agency responsible for the economic oversight of the nation's freight rail system. This position is located in the Surface Transportation Board's Office of Economics. As an Economist, the position will be responsible for utilizing econometric and quantitative techniques and analyze cases before the Board, including mergers and rates, and reviewing and analyzing data collected by the Board.

Duties

THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT has an applicant limit of 100. Therefore, the announcement will close the day 100 applicants have been received, which may be before the date listed above. As an Economist in the Office of Economics, you will perform the following duties: Analyze economic aspects of the rail industry and apply complex concepts and statistical methods, including cost-benefit analysis and econometric analysis, to the economic regulation of the rail industry and other industry segments subject to Board regulation. Work with a wide variety of data sources ranging from accounting to waybill data; perform data analysis to answer questions raised by internal and external parties. Participate in the Board's review of proposed rulemakings and legislation. Employ a variety of quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluate disparate data sources and identify and resolve consistency/discrepancy issues that may exist.

Requirements

Qualifications

TRANSCRIPTS - Transcripts are REQUIRED as proof of meeting the basic requirements for the series. To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Individual Occupational Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet the additional grade level requirements. (1) All applicants must meet the basic requirements under A or B to qualify for applying to a position under series 0110: A. Successful completion of a degree in 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 which includes courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. For additional reference, please refer to the OPM qualifications standard for GS-0110: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0100/economist-series-0110/ (2) Upload all the appropriate document(s) to your application for verification purposes. Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of the closing date of this announcement. If selected, the final transcript must be received before your start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. (3) Specialized Experience: To further determine eligibility, review the following grade-specific details. You will be asked a few questions as part of your application but make sure to verify how you meet these grade levels in your resume. You must meet the Mandatory Education Requirements listed in the "Education Requirements" section and the "Specialized Experience" to qualify for this series as described below. All applicants are required to submit a resume with your application. To receive full consideration for relevant and specialized experience, please utilize the following date format MM/YY to MM/YY - or - MM/YY to present and the number of hours worked per week for each period of employment/experience listed in your resume. Your responses to the questionnaire must be supported/demonstrated in your resume. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or education. Read more about what should I include in my federal resume below: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/ Specialized experience must meet 52 weeks equivalent to the next lower grade level. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Specialized Experience is defined as the experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position of the Economist, 0110 series. GS-11 LEVEL To be qualified for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must demonstrate in your resume one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level of Federal service such as Performing general econometric and statistical techniques; individual economic research; conducting general studies to economic regulation or market analysis. OR Performing general economic analysis, general experience with Microsoft Office, or general experience with statistical software packages. OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. GS-12 LEVEL To be qualified for this position at the GS-12 grade level, you must demonstrate in your resume one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level of Federal service such as using econometric and quantitative techniques; working with econometric and statistical techniques; conducting studies related to economic regulation or market analysis; performing economic studies and economic impact studies. OR Performing economic analysis using statistical software packages; research experience in microeconomics; applying various methods from research; applying statistical methods to the investigation of complex issues. GS-13 LEVEL To be qualified for this position at the GS-13 grade level, you must demonstrate in your resume one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level of Federal service such as serving as a staff economist with proficiency in econometric and quantitative techniques; extensive experience working with econometric and statistical techniques (such as estimation, predictive modeling, empirical cost models); conducting studies evaluating complex issues related to economic regulation or market analysis; OR Performing robust economic analysis, experience with statistical software packages. conducting microeconomics research and reviewing economic literature; adapting methods from research; manipulation of large datasets; advising on economic matters; and presenting on economic issues. GS-14 LEVEL To be qualified for this position at the GS-14 grade level, you must demonstrate in your resume one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level of Federal service such as Conducting highly complex independent economic research including market analyses, cost benefit analyses, and development of decision support tools. Leads teams tasked with quantitative and qualitative analysis by using various complex statistical techniques - econometric analysis, market analysis, pricing, and industry analysis. Makes authoritative recommendations on policies that provides technical expertise to senior leadership on policy initiatives on economic analyses. Or Leading teams employing highly complex economic analysis, and mastery of statistical software packages. Conducting independent analysis market analyses, cost benefit analyses, and development of decision support tools. Conducts analysis using various statistical economic techniques including econometric analysis. Makes authoritative recommendations on policies that provides technical expertise to senior leadership on policy initiatives. *Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (i.e, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. 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 position has a basic education requirement.

You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims (unofficial transcripts are acceptable). All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

If you are applying for the grade 11 using education, please ensure your Ph.D. or equivalent Doctoral transcripts are included. As mentioned, above in the Qualifications section, in order to qualify for this position, applicants must meet the specialized experience* and you must have completed the following educational requirements for this series:

• Degree in economics, which 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 indicated above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

TRANSCRIPTS - Transcripts are REQUIRED as proof of meeting the basic requirements for the series, and also if you are applying for the grade 11 using education. The transcripts need not be official but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements.

• Official transcript(s) will be required if you are selected for the position.
• Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12, GS-13, or GS-14 grade levels.

You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

Contacts

• Address Surface Transportation Board 395 E Street SW Washington, DC 20423 US
• Name: Tara Rauch
• Phone: 202-934-0302
• Email: [email protected]