Industry Economist

Summary

This position is in the Office of Economics and Analytics (OEA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC) located in Washington, DC. RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID. THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS.

Duties

In collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, the incumbent specifies and implements strategies and processes for the collection, validation, compilation, and analysis of economic and industry data to enhance understanding of competition and pricing in telecommunications markets, broadband deployment, spectrum allocation, and the technological development of communications services. The incumbent also interacts directly with entities submitting information to the agency to understand data generating processes and validate submitted information. With limited guidance from senior economists, the incumbent conducts economic research and quantitative analyses related to telecommunications markets, broadband deployment, spectrum policy, and communications competition for presentation to audiences with varying levels of expertise. The incumbent drafts and presents clear, objective literature reviews, summaries of economic research, and other analytical memoranda that support economic studies. The incumbent collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to assist in the creation of unified and comprehensive economic and statistical deliverables by contributing tabulations, visualizations, and drafting written analyses. With limited guidance from senior economists, the incumbent supports the evaluation of the economic impacts and implications of proposed Commission rules and policies. Requirements

See "Qualifications". Qualifications

Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees asking to be considered under Merit Promotion procedures must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification Criteria Step 1. All candidates must first meet the educational qualification requirements. Educational requirements are 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 plus appropriate experience or additional education. Step 2. For candidates who meet the educational qualification requirements, their resumes will be sent forward to the subject matter experts for further review. Resumes will be reviewed to determine if candidates meet the required qualification criteria and the required competencies for each grade. GS-7 Qualification Criteria: EDUCATION: 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement OR SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Candidates must have one year of specialized experience which is equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience: 1. Analyzing problems to identify significant factors through the application of appropriate econometric or statistical methods; identifying, collecting and validating relevant data; and interpreting competing solutions. 2. Reviewing and interpreting academic economic research for audiences with varying levels of experience. 3. Conducting exploratory data analysis and providing interpretation, including preparing visualizations, for use in decision memoranda, orders, research papers, or similar documents OR a combination of both education and experience. GS-7 Competencies: Ability to compile, clean, and verify economic data from primary and secondary sources, following exact specifications and regulations; Working familiarity with statistical or similar analytical software tools (e.g., Python, R, SAS, Power BI, Stata) needed to execute basic exploratory data analysis including organizing and summarizing data and generating meaningful visualizations, ideally for audiences with varying levels of expertise; Ability to leverage foundational knowledge of economic principles and concepts to assist in preparing and editing clearly written research summaries; reviews of academic economic research, regulatory filings, and industry publications; and other analyses that support economic studies; and Ability to collaborate with others and work with a multidisciplinary team to produce unified and comprehensive analyses. GS-9 Qualification Criteria: EDUCATION: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree OR SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Candidates must have one year of specialized experience which is equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience: 1. Analyzing problems to identify significant factors through the application of appropriate econometric or statistical methods; identifying, collecting and validating relevant data; and interpreting competing solutions. 2. Reviewing and interpreting academic economic research for audiences with varying levels of experience. 3. Conducting exploratory data analysis and providing interpretation, including preparing visualizations, for use in decision memoranda, orders, research papers, or similar documents. 4. Drafting publicly facing technical writings such as articles, reports, and documentation OR a combination of both education and experience. GS-9 Competencies: Ability to compile, clean, and verify economic data from primary and secondary sources, following exact specifications and regulations; Demonstrated skill with statistical or similar analytical software tools (e.g., Python, R, SAS, Power BI, Stata) needed to execute intermediate exploratory data analysis including organizing and summarizing data and generating meaningful visualizations, ideally for audiences with varying levels of expertise; Ability to leverage foundational knowledge of economic principles and concepts to assist in preparing and editing clearly written research summaries; reviews of academic economic research, regulatory filings, and industry publications; and other analyses that support economic studies; Ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to produce unified and comprehensive analyses; and Demonstrated ability to think critically about the totality of the economic impacts of policy changes, legislation, and other events. GS-11 Qualification Criteria: EDUCATION: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Candidates must have one year of specialized experience which is equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience: 1. Analyzing problems to identify significant factors through the application of appropriate econometric or statistical methods; identifying, collecting and validating relevant data; and interpreting competing solutions. 2. Reviewing and interpreting academic economic research for audiences with varying levels of experience. 3. Conducting exploratory data analysis and providing interpretation, including preparing visualizations, for use in decision memoranda, orders, research papers, or similar documents. 4. Contributing to publicly facing technical writings such as articles, reports and documentation. 5. Evaluating and tracking regulatory policy implications through industry data OR a combination of both education and experience. GS-11 Competencies: Ability to compile, clean, and verify economic data from primary and secondary sources, following exact specifications and regulations; Demonstrated skill with statistical or similar analytical software tools (e.g., Python, R, SAS, Power BI, Stata) needed to execute intermediate exploratory data analysis including organizing and summarizing data and generating meaningful visualizations, ideally for audiences with varying levels of expertise; Ability to leverage foundational knowledge of economic principles and concepts to assist in preparing and editing clearly written research summaries; reviews of academic economic research, regulatory filings, and industry publications; and other analyses that support economic studies; Ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to produce unified and comprehensive analyses; Demonstrated ability to think critically about the totality of the economic impacts of policy changes, legislation, and other events; and Ability to conduct economic research and quantitative analysis. Step 3. Subject matter experts will conduct a scored, competency based resume review. Candidates must receive a score of 90 or above in order to move forward to the next stage of the hiring process, the scored structured interview. Step 4. For candidates who receive an initial score of 90 or above on the scored, competency based resume review, a scored structured interview will be conducted by the subject matter experts. For candidates who receive a score of 90 or above on the scored structured interview will be referred to the selecting official for hiring consideration.

Education

See "Qualifications". How You Will Be Evaluated

As this position is being advertised under DEU and Merit Promotion hiring procedures, applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position using the hiring procedures outlined below. In compliance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan requirements, please be advised that candidates will not be evaluated, selected or hired based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Optional Four Essay Questions At the time of application, applicants have the option of answering the following four short, free-response essay questions. 1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience. 2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. 3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired. 4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position. Applicants will be required to certify that they are using their own words, and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]). The responses to each question cannot exceed 200 words per question. DEU What is the Rule of Many If you ask to be considered under DEU, the FCC adheres to the Rule of Many. The Rule of Many means that more than one applicant can be referred to the hiring manager, not just the top few, nor will candidates be placed into scored qualification categories (i.e. Best Qualified, Fully Qualified, Minimally Qualified). Everyone who meets minimum qualifications and scores 70 or higher may be referred, even if many applicants qualify. There is no fixed limit on how many people can be referred. What This Means for Applicants You do not need to be the highest scorer You must meet the qualification criteria and receive a score of 90 or above Multiple applicants can be considered fairly Selection is based on overall qualifications, not just test scores Veterans preference applies Merit Promotion If you ask to be considered under Merit Promotion, you will be considered in accordance with the agency's merit promotion plan and union agreement. Time in grade restrictions apply. Under Merit Promotion procedures, applicants must meet the qualifications criteria and receive a score of 90 or above in order to be deemed as Best Qualified. Candidates who ask to be considered non-competitively must receive a score of 90 or above. You may preview questions for this vacancy. Benefits

The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including: Health Insurance Life Insurance Dental & Vision Insurance Flexible Spending Accounts Long-Term Care Insurance Holidays and Leave Retirement Thrift Savings Plan Transit Benefit Alternative Work Schedule Telecommuting Other Information

EEO Policy Statement Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement Veterans Information Legal and Regulatory Guidance Other: - Before hiring, an agency will ask you to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The agency will also ask you to sign and certify the accuracy of all the information in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal job. - If applicable, you will be required to serve a trial period of one year. - In order for you to be employed at the FCC, there are certain Commission and Federal laws governing the financial interests of you and members of your immediate family. If selected for the position, you must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.