Secret

Duties

This position is being posted under OPM's Direct Hire authority for Scientific, Technical, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) positions: For more information please see: Direct Hire Authority (opm.gov) As a Interdisciplinary Statistician (Economics)/Economist at the GS-0110/1530-13/14 some of your typical work assignments may include: If selected at the GS-13 level, the below responsibilities will be performed in a developmental capacity. Selection and collection of pertinent economic and cost-of-living data. Review of the system and techniques used to make cost-of-living allowance determinations. Establishing COLA rates by directing and managing large data submission cycles. Giving authoritative interpretations, findings, briefings and judgments upon which official action and policy are based. Coordinating with the Departments, Bureaus, Agencies, and private firms interested in cost-of-living allowances in order to set allowance

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-14, if you fulfill the following qualifications: A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service: Perform in-depth analysis of economic markets and cost-of-living data to determine and recommend allowance rates. This includes utilizing statistical procedures, automated systems, and database management techniques for complex estimations. Oversee the selection and collection of economic and cost-of-living data, reviewing the systems and techniques used for allowance determinations, and managing large data submission cycles. Serve as a subject matter expert in interpreting, explaining, and applying complex regulations, policies, and procedures governing allowances, such as those found in the Financial Management Regulation (FMR) and United States Code Title 37. Develop and present authoritative findings, briefings, and judgments to senior officials and other government agencies. This includes defending allowance program methodologies and explaining the impact of policy changes to a variety of audiences. Coordinate with various organizations both within and outside the Department of Defense (DoD) including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of State, Congressional staff, and private firms on matters related to statistical input, data sources, and economic conditions. You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications: B. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service: Apply data analysis techniques to clean, transform, and model cost-of-living data, uncovering insights to inform allowance rates and identify trends, patterns, and anomalies using statistical tools and software. Participate in the collection of economic and cost-of-living data, apply established techniques for allowance determinations. Interpret and apply laws, rules, and regulations governing allowances to operations, ensuring compliance through ongoing analysis of regulatory changes and requirements. Develop findings to support briefings for senior staff and explain program methodologies to stakeholders. Collaborate across agencies and teams to achieve shared goals by fostering relationships, coordinating efforts, and resolving conflicts constructively. 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. In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0110/1530 series. Statistics 1530: Basic Requirements: A. Degree: that included 15 semester hours in statistics (or in mathematics and statistics, provided at least 6 semester hours were in statistics), and 9 additional semester hours in one or more of the following: physical or biological sciences, medicine, education, or engineering; or in the social sciences including demography, history, economics, social welfare, geography, international relations, social or cultural anthropology, health sociology, political science, public administration, psychology, etc. Credit toward meeting statistical course requirements should be given for courses in which 50 percent of the course content appears to be statistical methods, e.g., courses that included studies in research methods in psychology or economics such as tests and measurements or business cycles, or courses in methods of processing mass statistical data such as tabulating methods or electronic data processing. OR B. Combination of education and experience -- courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience should have included a full range of professional statistical work such as (a) sampling, (b) collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data, and (c) applying statistical techniques such as measurement of central tendency, dispersion, skewness, sampling error, simple and multiple correlation, analysis of variance, and tests of significance. Economist 0110: Basic Requirements 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.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level. ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. FOREIGN EDUCATION may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses. Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable. When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities. For further information, visit: Foreign Education

Other Information

Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Reemployed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/140025_vol300.PDF?ver=LQ7feWw-8-5DI2tceUpmgA== All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs (ICTAP eligibility): This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are claiming military spouse preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed below preference eligible veteran candidates and above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package. Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the "Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP)" eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant. Information and required documentation for claiming MSP may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below. To be eligible as a RGP, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application package: a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 (whs.mil)); a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.