International Economist

US Foreign Agricultural Service; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service in the Washington, DC locality and Beltsville, MD area seeks economists with a strong foundation in economic analysis and econometrics. Qualifications emphasize education in economics with related coursework or an equivalent mix of education and experience.

GS-11 duties include developing tables and graphs for economic analysis and applying econometric techniques; GS-12 duties cover applying economic theories to international trade, drafting studies, and

Qualifications

• Degree in economics with 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus.
• GS-11: tables/charts/graphs for economic analysis; econometric models and statistics software; quantitative analyses of economic data.

Responsibilities

• GS-11: prepare quantitative analyses of economic data in agricultural or international trade.
• GS-12: apply economic theories to agricultural or international trade; write/edit policy and trade briefing materials.
• Communicate findings effectively with officials; present complex economic information.

Skills

Economic analysis tables/charts/graphs

Econometric models

Statistical techniques and software

Quantitative analysis

Education

Economics degree with econometrics/statistics

Job description

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) links U.S. agriculture to the world, improves foreign market access for U.S. food and agricultural products, builds new markets, improves the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provides food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries.

Positions from this announcement will be filled in the Washington D.C. locality area, and/or in the Beltsville, MD locality area.

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

Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus

OR

Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL

• Preparation of tables, charts, graphs, or maps involved with economic analysis.
• Application of economic techniques and principles using mathematical and/or econometric models, statistical techniques, and software.
• Planning and preparing quantitative analyses of economic data in agricultural or international trade.

OR

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in international relations, international economics, international business, international trade, business administration or related degrees, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVELS

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. To learn more about combining education and experience for this series, click the following: Combining Education and Experience for Administrative and Management Positions

FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL

• Applying economic theories, concepts, and techniques to the field of agricultural or international trade;
• Writing, reviewing, and editing economic, agricultural, agricultural market conditions or trade studies, working papers, and briefing materials;
• Summarizing and advising on trade and/or international agricultural policies and/ or supply and demand estimates and/or programs; and

• Communicating effectively and persuasively, both orally and in writing, with officials within and outside the organization through formal or informal meetings and giving presentations explaining complex issues on economic/statistical information.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS

• 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

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.