Summary The Bureau of Labor Statistics measures labor market activity, working conditions, price changes, and productivity in the U.S. economy to support public and private decision making. The position is located in the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Prices and Living Conditions (OPLC). This position is outside the bargaining unit. Responsibilities The BLS headquarters is currently located in Washington, D.C. but is in the process of relocating within the National Capital Area to Suitland, Maryland. If selected for this position, with an assigned duty station of Washington, D.C., you may be eligible for limited telework with approval from your supervisor, based on onsite duties and responsibilities, while the current headquarters is decommissioned and the future headquarters is being built. Upon completion of the new headquarters offices in Suitland, MD, you will be expected to report to the Suitland Federal Center after receiving notification to do so. At that time, you may be eligible to telework with approval from your supervisor, based on onsite duties and responsibilities, and if consistent with telework policies and mission needs of BLS. Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Participates with the chief of the Branch of Index Methods and Analysis and/or the Assistant Commissioner for Industrial Prices and Price Indexes in developing program plans, budget requirements, and program review as they relate to index methods of the Producer Price program. Serves as an expert advisor to the Branch Chief and/or Assistant Commissioner, with respect to index methodology and, at the request of the Branch Chief and/or Assistant Commissioner represents the program before Bureau, interagency, international, and other external groups. Plans and directs research and the preparation of research articles related to price measurement, index methodology, and index data analysis. Assigns resources, monitors progress, and initiates actions to achieve program objectives established in consultation with the Branch Chief, Assistant Commissioner, and business process steering committees in the Program. Plans and directs the collection and analysis of economic data that is used to support construction of aggregate PPI indexes. Responsible for the technical and conceptual adequacy of the indexes produced. To achieve this end, works closely with the industry experts in the PPI Branch of Industry Pricing and statistical experts within the Division of the PPI's Statistical Methods. Also consults widely with the Assistant Commissioner, Associate Commissioner, academic experts and other Government agencies. Directs a staff of economists engaged in index research, methodological studies, and index construction by making assignments, monitoring work performance, and evaluating results. Has responsibility for recruiting, hiring, evaluating and overall staff development. Provides feedback to staff on performance and their contributions to the assigned programs. Ensures adherence to EEO, LMR, and health safety policies. Initiates and maintains close contact with government and business officials to discuss technical matters and to elicit their advice. Participates on steering committees for the purpose of reviewing project plans developed at the working level and coordinating and monitoring approved projects within the Program's matrix organization. Provides input and guidance to achieve responsibilities assigned to business process steering committees including program development, business process improvement, production activities, and research. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet the Basic Requirement AND Minimum qualifications for each grade they wish to be considered for. Basic Requirements: Economist, GS-0110: A) Degree in economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting or calculus. OR B) A combination of education and experience - courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE APPLICANTS MUST ALSO MEET MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED. Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-13, in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience: This experience must have equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and ability to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience should include a thorough range of complex economic professional work and training. Specialized experience includes: Directed a team in the analysis of prices and index movements and the application of price index methodology; Planned, supervised preparation, and ensured quality of analytic memoranda, articles, and reports which examine price index data; Utilized computers and computer applications to analyze and communicate information in the appropriate format; Communicated information in a clear and organized manner using well-developed writing, editing, and organizational skills including the summarization of data and preparing clear and accurate reports; Utilized interpersonal skills required to work effectively with people at all organizational levels both inside and outside the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For additional information, refer to the Office of Personnel Management Operating Manual for Qualification Standards, Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Professional and Scientific Positions. Individual Occupation Requirements for Economist Series GS-110. Education Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service. If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum coursework requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information. Additional Information The mission of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, expand high-quality employment opportunities, and assure work-related benefits and rights for all workers. As such, the Department is committed to fostering a workplace and workforce that promote equal employment opportunity, reflects the diversity of the people we seek to serve, and models a culture of respect, equity, inclusion, and accessibility where every employee feels heard, supported, and empowered. Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION You may not be aware, but in the regulations for agency ethics programs, there are requirements for supervisors. Section 2638.103 of Title 5 of the CFR states: Every supervisor in the executive branch has a heightened personal responsibility for advancing government ethics. It is imperative that supervisors serve as models of ethical behavior for subordinates. Supervisors have a responsibility to help ensure that subordinates are aware of their ethical obligations under the Standards of Conduct and that subordinates know how to contact agency ethics officials. Supervisors are also responsible for working with agency ethics officials to help resolve conflicts of interests and enforce government ethics laws and regulations, including those requiring certain employees to file financial disclosure reports. In addition, supervisors are responsible, when requested, for assisting agency ethics officials in evaluating potential conflicts of interest and identifying positions subject to financial disclosure requirements. Supervisory Financial Disclosure (If applicable): This position is subject to the confidential financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). Therefore, if selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest(s) and your prospective position with DOL. This information will be required annually. Click here for Telework Position Information Based on agency needs, additional positions may be filled using this vacancy. The Department of Labor may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Click here for Additional Information. The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act. Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions.