Research Assistant

Summary

The Postal Regulatory Commission has an exciting employment opportunity for a highly motivated Research Assistant.

Duties

Assist in obtaining and compiling data from Postal Service and other sources into comparable formats to be used in analysis and evaluations. Identify, develop, and deploy technological solutions to data indexing and analysis problems. Verify the mathematical accuracy of financial, economic, marketing, and statistical data and statements submitted by the Postal Service. Research and analyze postal regulatory practices to identify practices and regulations that could inform the work of the Commission. Research and analyze studies on the postal sector to identify issues of interest to the Commission. Promote the exchange of best practices in postal regulation. Write reports and provide briefings on research findings with analyses of issues of potential interest to the Commission. Monitor and analyze documents on postal financial, regulatory, and policy issues. Assist in the response to special study requests from Congress. Identify trends and patterns within postal service data over time. Detect anomalies and discrepancies in postal service data, investigating the root causes and proposing corrective actions. Qualifications

To be eligible for consideration, your application materials must demonstrate that you have experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of the position described above. Bachelors or Masters degree in Economics, Data Analysis, or Statistics Strong knowledge of data analytics software, such as Python and R Demonstrated ability to develop interactive data apps Ability to draft reports and presentations explaining complex and technical projects Experience performing data analysis on large data sets (over 1 million observations) To be eligible for consideration, your application materials must demonstrate that you have experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of the position described above. Typically, experience will be related to legal or regulatory work at a level similar to this position and may encompass 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.

Education

Bachelors or Masters degree in Economics, Data Analysis, or Statistics How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated by a screening panel based on evidence of your ability to successfully perform the duties of the position according to the qualifications outlined in this announcement. The panel will forward the appropriate candidates to the Director of Accountability and Compliance for further consideration and possible interview. Other Information

Ethics Requirements: The Commission is committed to government ethics. As a Commission employee, you will be subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch and the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Commission employees are also subject to Commission-specific ethics rules (39 C.F.R. subpart A of part 3001 and supplemental standards of ethical conduct [5 C.F.R. part 5601]). The supplemental standards prohibit Commission employees, as well as their spouses and dependent children, from owning any securities issued by entities that are identified on the Commission's annually published prohibited securities list. As an employee of the Commission, you must complete initial ethics training within three months of your appointment and, depending on your position, complete required financial disclosure forms within 30 days of your appointment. Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. The Commission may offer Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Work Environment: This position is in the Office of Accountability and Compliance (OAC). This Office is responsible for promoting United States Postal Service transparency and accountability by establishing and maintaining a modern system to regulate rates, ensuring Postal Service compliance with the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA), making recommendations based on the analysis of financial reports from the Postal Service, and by preparing annual and periodic reports to Congress. The Office of Accountability and Compliance serves the Commission and Commissioners, the Postal Service, mailers, the U.S. Department of State, and the American public. This position is eligible for telework.