International Economist

Duties

As an International Economist (Direct Hire), you will perform the following duties which represent the GS-13 full performance level (FPL):

• Conduct economic research and analysis on the commercial, technological, and national security aspects of transactions under the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
• Develop methodologies and approaches for research.
• Prepare written briefings, summaries, reports and transaction materials for senior level-management decision makers.
• Analyze major economic developments and determines applicability to the agency's major programs.
• Conduct diverse economic studies and determine approaches, analytical techniques, statistical methods, and sources of data to be used.
  
  

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other International Economist GS-0110-11/12/13 positions within the Department of Commerce in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation for a Top-Secret SCI clearance. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use of possession of drugs.
• A probationary period may be required.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/).
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• A Drug Test is required and except as prohibited by law, all applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment, and appointed the incumbent will be subjected to random drug testing procedures.
• License required: No
• Pre-employment physical required: No
• Bargaining Unit Position: No
• Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): Yes
• Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: will not be paid
  
  

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

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.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: The below represents the Economist 0110 series education requirement:

• Degree:A bachelor's or higher degree in 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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
  
  

AND

To qualify at the GS-11 level you must meet one of the following:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Performing economic analysis and research on foreign investments or trade issues; and
• Monitoring and evaluating foreign economic issues for impact on U.S. programs and policies; and
• Assisting in providing advice and preparing reports on economic issues.
• OR-
  
  

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related

• OR-
  
  

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of experience and graduate level education to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements.

To Qualify At The GS-12 Level

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Plans and carries out economic studies and analyses of foreign investments or trade including determination of data needed to interpret findings, (such as sources, reliability, and availability of such data; method of collections, and evaluation techniques); and
• Prepares briefings and reports to senior officials on economic issues and studies; and
• Presents research data and findings to senior officials.
  
  

To Qualify At The GS-13 Level

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Conducting economic analysis or research on foreign investments or trade issues; and
• Developing methodologies and approaches for research options; and
• Making recommendations to resolve unprecedented or unusual economic activities and policies; and
• Developing reports and briefings based on research analyses and findings on economic data.
  
  

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. See the "Qualifications" section.

Additional Information

ICTAP and CTAP Eligibles: CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition

CTAP Applicants MUST Submit The Following Documents

• A copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice).
• A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade level, and duty location;
• A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
• Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
  
  

ICTAP Applicants MUST Submit The Following Documents

• A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
• A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc;
• A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
• Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
  
  

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.