Economist - Transportation Security Administration - Arlington, Virginia - EXPIRED

This Economist position is located in the Cross Modal Division, Economic Analysis Branch, within the Office of Security Policy and Industry Engagement (OSPIE), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If selected for this position, you will be responsible for assisting with special economic assessments relevant to transportation security and projects in support of senior economists or as a member of a team of professional economists. Typical assignments include but are not limited to:

• Conducting economic research, analyzing economic data and preparing interpretive reports.
• Researching and preparing (benefit-cost analysies) related to the TSA regulatory program.
• Evaluating the economic impact of a proposed rule and final rule changes.
• Conducting a variety of studies and analysis of transportation security systems.
• Applying statistical methodology to solve economic problems.
• Preparing reports and briefings.
• Drafting regulatory analysis.

The major duties described above reflect the full performance level of this position. Typically, at the lower pay band (Pay Band H) you will perform the same duties but you will receive more guidance; projects and work assignments may be less complex.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: For this position, you must meet one of the below requirements (A or B) for consideration in the SV-110 occupational series.

A) Degree: A degree in Economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in Economics and 3 semester hours in Statistics, Accounting, or Calculus. OR

B) Combinations of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in Economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Examples of qualifying experience include:

1. Individual economic research assignments requiring planning, information assembly, analysis, evaluation, and conclusions and report preparation; OR
2. Supervisory or project coordination assignments involving a staff of professional economists, and requiring the evaluation and interpretation of economic information; OR
3. Teaching assignments in a college or university that included both classroom instruction in economic subjects and one of the following: (1) personal research that produced evidence of results, (2) direction of graduate theses in economics, or (3) service as a consultant or advisor on technical economics problems.

In addition to the Basic Requirement, to qualify for the SV-H Pay Band (equivalent to GS-11/12), you must meet the Basic Requirement listed above and have one year of specialized experience at the SV-G Pay Band or GS-9 in Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized Experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Experience applying economic theories and principles to assess and resolve transportation regulatory problems.
• Experience applying analytical and research techniques (e.g., econometrics, mathematical economics, operations research, benefit-cost analyses, and cost-effectiveness analyses).
• Experience utilizing computers and software applications to identify quality data sources for economic analysis, and the development of spreadsheets and databases.

OR Completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Economics.
OR Three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.
OR COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the second year) and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for this position, and may be computed by first determining your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the band level; then determining your education as a percentage of the education required for the band level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: Education at the graduate level in an accredited college or university in the amounts indicated above meets the requirements for this position. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the one year of full-time study requirement.
Note: Applicants who meet the qualifications listed above based on education or a combination of education and experience MUST provide proof of education such as a list of completed college courses or the date and school of degree including the number of semester or quarter hours or a transcript from an accredited college or university. The information must be provided as an attachment to the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, the applicant must supply a transcript or certification of degree.
In addition to the Basic Requirement, to qualify for the SV-I Pay Band (equivalent to GS-13), you must meet the Basic Requirement listed above and have one year of specialized experience at the SV-H Pay Band or GS-12 in Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized Experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Experience applying economic theories and principles to assess and resolve transportation regulatory problems.
  
  
• Experience using analytical and research techniques (e.g., econometrics, mathematical economics, operations research, benefit-cost analyses, and cost-effectiveness analyses).
• Experience utilizing computers and software applications to identify quality data sources for economic analysis, and the development of spreadsheets and databases.
• Experience developing data-gathering studies designed to provide assessment of the economic impact of a particular legislation with considerable economic complications of the transportation industry.
  
  
• Experience developing mathematical models to study the relationship of the transportation industry costs and prices on passenger cargo traffic.
  
  

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.
NOTE: Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour work week. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime.

You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.