Economic Risk Analyst – Agriculture & Trade

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 78,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

The USDA APHIS PERAL laboratory in Raleigh seeks an Interdisciplinary Risk Analyst to support PPQ programs through economic analyses of invasive pests, trade impacts, and plant health policies.

You will develop quantitative methods, prepare technical reports and briefing papers, and present findings to both technical and non-technical audiences, collaborating with scientists and program staff.

Qualifications

• Degree in economics, incl. 21 economics hours and 3 hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus.
• Education/experience combo: 24 semester/36 quarter hours in economics plus relevant experience and education.
• GS-11: 1 year specialized experience at GS-9 level applying economic principles to agriculture, trade, or regulatory issues.
• 3 years of progressively higher education leading to a Ph.D. in Accounting, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Agricultural Economics or Finance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct economic analyses to evaluate the impacts of invasive plant pests, plant diseases, and regulatory actions on U.S. agriculture.
• Develop and apply economic, statistical, and quantitative analytical methods to evaluate program effectiveness, assess impacts, and support risk-based decision making.
• Develop economic impact assessments, benefit-cost analyses, and other evaluations to support regulatory decision-making and plant-health safeguarding programs.
• Analyzing data to assess risks, evaluate management alternatives, and support agency priorities.
• Estimating economic consequences and analyzing introduction, establishment, and spread of quarantine-significant pests using quantitative methods.
• Assessing economic impacts of proposed policies, regulatory actions, exclusion programs, and pest management strategies.
• Reviewing proposals to ensure methods and conclusions are scientifically and economically sound.
• Collaborating with scientists and program personnel to develop quantitative information for risk assessments and program evaluations.
• Preparing technical reports and presentations communicating analytical findings to technical and non-technical audiences.

Skills

Economic analysis

Data interpretation

Technical reporting

Collaborative work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Economics

Graduate-level coursework in Economics/Statistics/Finance

Job description

The USDA APHIS PERAL laboratory in Raleigh seeks an Interdisciplinary Risk Analyst to support PPQ programs through economic analyses of invasive pests, trade impacts, and plant health policies.

You will develop quantitative methods, prepare technical reports and briefing papers, and present findings to both technical and non-technical audiences, collaborating with scientists and program staff.