AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST in Washington, District Of Columbia

Summary The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides leadership on food and agriculture issues based on public policy, the best available science and effective management. The USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) links U.S. agriculture to the world, improves foreign market access for U.S. food and agricultural products, builds new markets, improves the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provides food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries. Responsibilities The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Performs research, analysis, and associated functions which contribute to the accomplishments of the agency’s mission to expand and maintain international market opportunities for U.S. agriculture. Applies professional economic techniques and principles to analyze factors and conditions impacting the competitive posture of the U.S. agricultural industry in international trade. Analyzes data to evaluate consistency with federal objectives, policies, and legislation. Formulates conclusions and recommendations for consideration by senior officials to make decisions, writes portions of reports, and responds to inquiries. Conducts in-depth analysis for use in the formulation of U.S. agricultural trade policy positions and recommendations. Produces written and oral interpretive reports on agricultural trade policy issues. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of economic practices and theories through review of government, scholarly, and private sector literature. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: 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. For the GS-11 level: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) 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 experience with all the following: Applying economic theories, concepts, and techniques in a professional setting. Assisting with collecting, evaluating, and analyzing current and historical trends of economic or agricultural data. Preparing tables, charts, graphs, or maps to illustrate or support analytical conclusions. Experience working with and manipulating data from numerous sources or databases. Writing, reviewing, or editing economic or agricultural reports and other written materials. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: 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. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) 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 experience with all the following: Applying economic techniques and principles using mathematical and/or econometric models, statistical techniques, and software in a professional setting. Independently collecting, evaluating, and analyzing current and historical trends of economic or agricultural data. Preparing and presenting tables, charts, graphs, or maps to illustrate or support analytical conclusions in a professional environment. Utilizing database management systems to access, manipulate, and interpret data for use in policy proposals or research projects. Preparing written reports or other written materials analyzing economic or agricultural market conditions; OR writing or reviewing economic studies, working papers, briefing papers, talking points, or decision reports. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. 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. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. This Position is being filled through OPM’s government-wide Direct-Hire Authority for this occupation and is open to all U.S. Citizens. Your application will be evaluated for basic eligibility and to determine if your experience and/or education meet the minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and other basic requirements will be referred and are eligible for selection. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will NOT be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. Telework eligibility is based on current USDA Policy. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Recruitment or Relocation Incentives will NOT be considered. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. This position is in a bargaining unit with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 3976.