Economist in United States

Summary Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Economist. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment. This is an OPEN CONTINIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until April 12, 2024, the first cut-off date for referral is May 5, 2023. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and referrals will be pulled as needed. Responsibilities This is a Pathways Graduate developmental position, management may select at the GS 7 level leading to a GS-12 Full performance, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Duties may include but are not limited to: Supports the annual budget process by updating the authorized project cost allocation annually for special projects. Performs an annual allocation of future operation, maintenance, and replacement costs included in the budget documents associated with various projects. Prepares annual allocations of plant-in-service, multipurpose plant, and construction work in progress account balances to be included in annual financial reports and project cost and repayment statements for Projects. Reviews financial aspects of reports on potential water resources developments prepared by other Federal, State, and local agencies, maintaining liaison with representatives of other agencies pertaining to economic and financial studies of mutual interest. Writes technical reports and appendix materials in form required for planning reports, environmental impact statements, water service rate-setting proposals, power marketing studies, water rights settlements, litigation, legislative proposals, congressional hearings, and other special purposes. Tracks progress and corresponding on outstanding audit recommendations within the Financial Services Group, preparing quarterly audit tracking reports on the status and coordinating progress in responding to open audit recommendations within the Region Participates in task force and work group assignments involving other Federal and State agencies dealing with coordination of planning, project formulation, and economic and financial evaluations of resource management and development proposals. Participates in conferences and meetings with representatives of other public agencies, special interest groups, and members of the general public to collect information for ongoing studies and to explain the economic and financial aspects of existing and proposed projects, programs, and policies. Serves on interdisciplinary teams and participating with staff members assigned to other branches and divisions in the formulation and evaluation of resource management, developmental, water marketing, and operational programs. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. You must be suitable for federal employment, determined by a background investigation. You must submit a resume and supporting documentation (see Required Documents). You must be at least 16 years old at the time of appointment. You must be a student who has been accepted for enrollment or is currently enrolled and seeking a degree or certificate in a qualifying educational institution, at least part-time. You must be in good academic standing as defined by the school you are attending. You must submit eligibility documents for veterans consideration (see Required Documents). You must meet any minimum education and/or experience requirements (see Qualifications). You must submit transcript(s) to verify education requirements (see Qualifications/Education). You must maintain a valid State Driver’s License at all times as the position requires operation of government vehicles on government and public roads. You will be required to complete a Financial Disclosure Form. You will be required to obtain a successful pre-employment physical examination by a licensed physician certifying your ability to perform the duties of this position. A physical exam may not be required if a comparable agency approved examination was performed within the last 12 months. The cost of the exam will be reimbursed by the agency. Who May Apply: Pathways – Recent Graduates All Interns must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement, 05/05/2023. In addition, they must continue to meet these eligibility requirements throughout the duration of the appointment. Students that have graduated are not eligible for this position. Qualifications Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the (1) Basic Educational Requirements AND (2) Specialized Experience for the grade to which you are applying. (1) Basic Educational Requirements: To be eligible for this position, applicants must meet the Basic Education Requirements for this series as described below: Economist Series, 0110 Individual Occupational Requirements Basic Requirements: Basic Education Requirements: A. Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. or B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Evaluation of Experience Examples of qualifying experience include: 1. individual economic research assignments requiring planning, information assembly, analysis and evaluation, conclusions, and report preparation; 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 class instruction in economics 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. Experience in related fields that did not involve the use and understanding of economic principles and theories may not be used as qualifying experience for these positions. Special attention on this point should be given to certain types of work that may or may not have provided professional economic experience. The following examples of work require special care in such determinations: 1. economic statistics; 2. industrial surveys; 3. management of individual business enterprises, including farms; 4. industrial planning; 5. writing or editorial work in economic subjects; and 6. financial market analysis. NOTE: You must submit your transcripts to show that you meet this requirement. Failure to submit your transcripts will result in an “Ineligible” rating (2) Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic education requirements described above, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education as described below for the grade to which you are applying: In order to be qualified for this grade level, you must meet either A, B, or C described below: GS-09 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-09, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1. conducting analytical studies on the economic effects of government policies and programs; 2. identifying relevant information to evaluate the economic impact of a project or program on an area’s economy; 3. assisting in the application of techniques of regional economic impact analysis (i.e., data collection, field observation, modeling, and coding techniques to help predict important aspects of economic change. OR B. Education: 2 years of progressively higher-level education leading to a master’s degree or master’s or equivalent graduate degree. OR C. A Combination of Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and appropriate specialized experience that together, meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. Only graduate level education in excess of the first two years or 36 semester hours may be combined with appropriate experience. GS-11 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-11, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1. conducting quantitative research or analytical studies on the economic effects of government policies and programs; 2. identifying relevant information to evaluate the economic impact of a project, program, or policy on an area’s economy; 3. assisting in the application of techniques of regional economic impact analysis (i.e., data collection, field observation, modeling, and coding techniques to help predict important aspects of economic change. OR B. Education: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR C. A Combination of Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and appropriate specialized experience that together, meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. Only graduate level education in excess of the first two years or 36 semester hours may be combined with appropriate experience. GS-12 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-12, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1. conducting and interpreting quantitative research or analytical studies on the economic effects of government policies and programs; 2. identifying and analyzing relevant information to evaluate the economic impact of a project, program, or policy on an area’s economy; 3. applying techniques of regional economic impact analysis (i.e., data collection, field observation, modeling, and coding, and sampling and research design) to help predict important aspects of economic change. NOTE: At the GS-12 grade level, Education may NOT be substituted for specialized 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. The applicant will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. A period of student trainee work experience is equal to 320 hours of work experience. Academic Year: At the undergraduate level, 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is comparable to 1 year of undergraduate education. Four years of progressive study or 120 semester hours meets the degree requirements. At the graduate level, 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours. Education CONTINUATION OF QUALIFICATIONS: This position has a positive education requirement for conversion. The required education must lead to a degree with specialization in or directly related to the field in which the student trainee is participating in the Intern program. The degree of specialization in this field must satisfy, on graduation, the specific requirements as listed in the qualification standard for professional engineering positions. Review the positive education requirements at: Economist Series 0110 (opm.gov) The term positive education requirement (also called a basic education requirement) refers to an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) determination that the duties of a scientific, technical, or professional position cannot be performed by an individual that does not have the prescribed minimum education. The specific qualification requirements for scientific and professional positions must also be met in order to be converted. Please review the specific qualification requirements for scientific and professional positions at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF Individuals serving in Intern-indefinite appointments may be non-competitively converted to a permanent position within 120 days of successful completion of the program, but conversion is neither promised nor guaranteed. To be eligible for conversion to a permanent or term position, these Interns must also: Be a U.S. Citizen or National; Complete at least 640 hours of work experience acquired through the Internship Program; Complete their degree or certificate requirements; Meet the Office of Personnel Management’s qualification standards for the position to which the Intern will be converted (which may include a positive education requirement); Meet all agency and program specific requirements as specified in their individual Participant Agreement; Perform their job successfully as documented through performance evaluations; and Be recommended for conversion by their manager or supervisor. If converted to permanent or term appointment, the anticipated target position is GS-0110-12; however, that may change based on the need of the organization at that time. The full performance level of the target position will be dependent on the type of position and will be determined at the time of conversion. Accreditation: Only education from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education is acceptable to meet education requirements or to substitute for experience, if applicable. For additional info, refer to the Office of Personnel Management and U.S. Department of Education. Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For additional info, refer to the U.S. Network for Education Information. You will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify educational qualifications, if selected. An official transcript must be sent directly from the University’s Registrar’s office and must be provided from the institution awarding the degree. Academic transcripts certified by notary publics are NOT official. Official transcripts must be submitted prior to reporting to work as a condition of employment. Failure to submit official transcripts may be grounds for dismissal or rescission of the job offer. Interns must provide a copy of up-to-date transcripts (unofficial) at the end of each academic year, unless requested more frequently by the supervisor or Human Resources Office, for verification of enrollment and academic standing as proof of continuing eligibility for participation in the Intern Program. Additional Information CONTINUATION OF SUMMARY: Duty Location: Sacramento or Location is Negotiable NOTE: This announcement is announced using the Rest of US pay scale for the GS-07. Final determination of salary will be determined upon location.$51,425 – $66,852 – Salary range for Sacramento. CA This is a career development opportunity in the excepted service under the Bureau of Reclamation Pathways Internship Program. It is designed to provide students currently enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work and get paid while exploring Federal careers. The candidate selected to fill the position will be required to complete a Participant Agreement the spells out the requirements of the program, including an anticipated date for completing educational requirements related to the full performance grade level of the position. If the position is filled at the lower-grade level, subsequent promotion to the next higher-grade level per the target full performance is permissible without further competition. Promotion is not guaranteed or promised but dependent upon administrative approval and the agency’s continuing need for an actual assignment and performance at the higher-level duties. For more information about the Pathways Internship program please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets The entire period served as an Intern-indefinite is creditable toward completion of the required probationary period for initial appointment to a position in the competitive service. Prior Federal civilian service is credited toward the completion of the required probationary period in the same manner as prescribed in 5 CFR 315.802. This opportunity is intended for (but not limited to) students who are pursuing a degree path, courses, or have the career goal of employment in the field of Economics.. You may be required to serve an initial probationary period. Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and you may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including applicant rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/ This position is designated as a LOW RISK position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated SF85 Background Investigation (T1 or equivalent) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify registration with the Selective Service System or that the applicant is exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Go to: https://www.sss.gov This is a bargaining unit position represented by a Union. Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement. Housing is not provided.