Agricultural Economist at Office of the Chief Economist

About the role

The Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) is responsible for advising the Secretary of Agriculture on the economic prospects in agricultural markets and the economic implications of policies, programs and legislation affecting U.S. agriculture and rural communities; ensuring the public has consistent, reliable and objective commodity market forecasts and projections. Responsible for developing appropriate research methods and evaluation techniques for OCE to analyze the economic impact of relevant policy options, particularly related to biofuels policy and measuring the bioeconomy. Develops advanced statistical econometric analysis of transportation fuel policies and markets for OCE to analyze the economic impact of relevant policy options. Plans, develops, organizes, and coordinates ongoing analysis to develop indicators that measure annual trends and market developments for the U.S. bioeconomy. Oversees contracts and leads the development of products and outreach efforts that result from those analyses. Provides analysis and leadership that supports developing technical guidelines around crediting methodologies for biofuels produced with regenerative farming practice. Provides advice and guidance to the Chief Economist in the economic analysis of high-priority biofuels policy regulations, particularly the Renewable Fuel Standard and Clean Fuel Production Credit. Leads personnel serving on committees, task forces and working groups assembled across agency lines to develop metrics and standards for measuring the size of the bioeconomy. Analyzes and evaluates legislative proposals for agricultural policy and program implications. Prepares reports on legislative proposals concerning policy issues that are required by Congressional committees. Responsible for the publication and/or presentation of various oral and written, formal, and informal reports and analyses pertaining to assigned research, data and staff analysis. Communicates orally and in writing to convey complex technical results and applications for use by both technical and nontechnical personnel. Develops for the Director of OEEP, the Chief Economist or the Office of the Secretary economic analyses and interpretations which may cut across established organizational and functional lines of the USDA. Provides technical support to other USDA agencies on bioeconomy-based issues (e.g., reviewing grants or trade-related issues). Tracks fuels and biofuels market data closely by providing weekly updates on market developments. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including Basic Requirements and Minimum Qualification Requirements, as defined below. Basic Requirements: In addition to meeting the Minimum Qualification Requirements outlined in the following section, applicants MUST meet the following occupational series requirements: A. Economist Series, 0110 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 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Minimum Qualification Requirements: In addition to meeting at least one of the Basic Requirements outlined above, applicants must also meet the specialized experience and/or education requirements shown below. If qualifying based on experience, your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the specialized experience requirements. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. Specialized Experience: for the GS-15: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service or equivalent in the private sector/pay systems that has equipped the candidate with the particular competencies to successfully perform analysis of complex transportation fuels and biofuels policy; advanced statistical econometric analysis of transportation fuel policies and markets; experience with providing authoritative evaluation of transportation fuel rules, such as the Renewable Fuel Standard; developing authoritative metrics and standards for measuring the size of the bioeconomy; developing technical guidelines around crediting methodologies for biofuels produced with regenerative farming practices; and authoritative analysis of biofuels market data. 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. You must be a US Citizen or US National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.