Economist

Summary

The selectee serves as an Interdisciplinary Risk Analyst with the Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory (PERAL) under PPQ-Science and Technology in Raleigh, North Carolina. The mission of PERAL is to address complex issues in safeguarding, exotic pest management and assuring safe trade. PERAL conducts risk assessments and other analyses in support of PPQ programs, policies and actions.

Duties

• 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:
• Conducting economic analyses to evaluate the impacts of invasive plant pests, plant diseases, and regulatory actions on U.S. agriculture, agricultural trade, managed ecosystems, and natural resources.
• Developing and applying economic, statistical, and quantitative analytical methods to evaluate program effectiveness, assess impacts, and support risk-based decision making.
• Developing economic impact assessments, benefit-cost analyses, and other evaluations to support regulatory decision-making and plant-health safeguarding programs.
• Analyzing agricultural, economic, trade, biological, and programmatic data to assess risks, evaluate management alternatives, and support agency priorities.
• Estimating the economic consequences and contributing to analyses of the introduction, establishment, and spread of quarantine-significant pests using quantitative analytical methods.
• Assessing the economic impacts of proposed policies, regulatory actions, exclusion programs, detection programs, and pest management strategies.
• Reviewing research proposals, analytical plans, manuscripts, and program protocols to ensure methods and conclusions are scientifically and economically sound.
• Collaborating with scientists, risk analysts, and program personnel to develop and evaluate quantitative information in support of risk assessments, program evaluations, and decision-making activities.
• Preparing technical reports, briefing papers, presentations, and scientific publications that communicate analytical findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiences.

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: 1. Degree in economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. OR 2. Combination of education and experience: post high school education with courses equivalent to a major, which is defined as 24 semester/36 quarter hours, in economics PLUS appropriate experience and additional education FOR THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 grade level) that demonstrates:- Apply economic principles and analytical methods to agricultural, natural resource, environmental, plant-health, invasive species, or regulatory issues. Collect, validate, analyze, and interpret agricultural, economic, trade, pest biology, ecological, or programmatic data to support economic studies, risk analyses, or policy evaluations. Prepare technical reports, briefing materials, presentations, or other written products that communicate analytical findings and recommendations. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree in Accounting, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Agricultural Economics or Finance or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying 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. 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.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. How You Will Be Evaluated

This is a Direct-Hire Authority position, all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, to include any specialized experience and/or selective placement factor(s), if applicable, will be referred to the selecting official. Before a certificate is issued to the selecting official, your application is reviewed to ensure that you meet all the qualification requirements. A rating will not be used; veteran's preference does not apply due to the existence of the Direct Hire authority for this position. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Arithmetic/Mathematical Reasoning Attention to Detail Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Self-Management Teamwork The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13109020 Additional Information - USA Hire Online Assessment All applicants are required to complete the online USA Hire assessment to be considered for the position for this vacancy. Applicants will not be given the opportunity to complete the online USA Hire assessment outside of the assigned assessment window for this vacancy. Other 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 well qualified, which means having knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies that exceed the minimum qualification requirements for this position. CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100 to receive selection priority. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. 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. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.