KEY REQUIREMENTS



• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply section).
• Moving and Relocation Expenses are not authorized.
• You must undergo a pre-employment security investigation.

The individual selected for this position will work with staff attorneys and other professionals, such as a mathematical statistician, and other economist, to identify and investigate potential illegal discrimination.  As such, the incumbent performs the following duties and responsibilities.

·         Develops, estimate and evaluate econometric models, engage in other statistical analysis, and manipulate and evaluate large databases;

·         Identify statistical patterns consistent with discrimination and calculate monetary damages and

·         Work as part of a team on specific investigations.  Candidates will be expected to conduct and manage multiple investigations.

BASIC 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.

In addition to the Basic Requirement listed above, candidates should have a background in applied econometrics or a related field and experience conducting statistical analyses using statistical software.  Experience conducting research and analysis in an area related to lending discrimination, such as applied microeconomics, urban economics, labor economics, statistical analysis of employment or housing discrimination, or demography is preferred.  Candidates also must be able to communicate clearly and work independently.  In addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements, an advanced degree in economics, statistics, or a related discipline, or at least some graduate work is highly desirable.

The quality of the specialized experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of the occupation and which is typically related to the work of the position to be filled. 

GS-13
Qualifying experience for the GS-13 level includes one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-12 level.

Examples of specialized experience include experience performing empirical research or statistical analysis projects requiring data assembly and manipulation with minimal supervision; selection and use of appropriate existing econometric or statistical analysis techniques; application of current methodologies and/or theories to reach appropriate results or conclusions;  projects or assignments involving working cooperatively with a group or under the direction of other  professionals; and presentation of results in a variety  of written or oral formats. 

GS-14
Qualifying experience for the GS-14 level includes one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-13 level.

Examples of specialized experience include experience performing  empirical research or statistical analysis projects requiring the collection, manipulation, evaluation and interpretation of large data sets; development of new techniques or extension of existing econometric or statistical analysis techniques for application to major projects significant to the success of organization activities;  projects or assignments involving coordinating a group of professionals; and presentation of authoritative results or conclusions in a variety of written or oral formats designed to maximize user understanding. 

GS-15
Qualifying experience for the GS-15 level includes one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-14 level.

Examples of specialized experience include experience performing complex empirical research or statistical analysis projects requiring the independent design of procedures or protocols for collection, manipulation, evaluation and/or interpretation of large data sets; development either independently or as a team leader of new econometric or statistical analysis techniques and means for application to major projects  to reach appropriate results or conclusions significant to the success of major organization activities;  projects or assignments involving leading a group of professionals and resolving operational or personnel problems; development of interpretive materials presenting results and conclusions of major empirical projects in a balanced, thorough manner to maximize understanding for a wide variety of audiences.

You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.

You must meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Entrance on duty is contingent upon completion of a pre-employment security check.   Continued employment is also contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background investigation, adjudicated by the Department of Justice.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

The resume you submit for this position will be reviewed to determine whether your experience is sufficient to meet the specialized experience requirements as outlined in this announcement. Your resume must reflect that you possess the competencies listed below.

NOTE:  Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for this position will be contacted to prepare a written narrative for each of the competencies below.  Your responses to the statements below will be evaluated to determine your rating.

·         Skill in empirical economic or statistical research in an area related to fair lending, such as applied microeconomics, urban economics, labor economics, or demography.

·         Skill in estimating econometric models and using statistical software, particularly SAS, and in manipulating and analyzing large data sets. Please describe in detail relevant experience using statistical software (specify the software packages used).

·         Ability to work independently, often juggling and prioritizing multiple projects.

·         Ability to cogently explain, orally and in writing, complex economic and statistical analysis to non-economists. (Please submit a writing sample of at least five pages.)

·         Ability to work as part of a team, generally led by a trial attorney; and the ability to work with others.

The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.  This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees:    http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#.     

OTHER INFORMATION:

When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected.  Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

The materials you send with your application will not be returned.

Relocation expenses have not been authorized.

You must submit your application so that it will be received no later than 11:59 PM EST on the closing date of the announcement.  If materials are not received, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible.

Applicants must either fax or e-mail their application in by the closing date for this position.  Please submit your application via fax at 202-514-6603 or by email to CRD.VACANCIES@usdoj.gov.  If you are submitting your application via e-mail, please indicate the Vacancy Announcement number and position title in the subject line.  

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Required Documents:  (are permissible w/ initial application only if specified in announcement.)

·    Resume showing relevant experience (cover letter preferred but not required).

·    SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, which shows career or career-conditional tenure. 

·    Veteran preference documentation, if applicable.

·    CTAP/ICTAP documentation, if applicable.

·    An unofficial college transcript (Note: If you are selected for this position and receive credit for your education for the purpose of meeting minimum qualification requirements or if your grade point average is being used to determine superior academic achievement, your official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day.)

Applicants must identify the grade level(s) they wish to be considered for. If no grade level is specified, then we will only consider you for the highest grade you would qualify for.

All current Federal employees must provide a copy of their current Performance Appraisal (must be within 15 months from the closing date of the announcement).

Applicants unable to provide their most recent performance appraisal must provide written justification for its absence.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP). The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.  If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if:  (1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; (2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.  To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established rating criteria.  You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority.  Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form.  Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.  If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.  To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established rating criteria.  You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application.  Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at:  http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA):  (VEOA) allows eligible veterans to apply and compete for positions announced under merit promotion procedures when the hiring agency is recruiting from outside its own workforce. To be eligible for a Veterans' Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If you are applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, in addition to the other required application materials, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 to the HR contact annotated in the vacancy announcement.

Selective Service:  If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.  See www.sss.gov.

Applications delivered using government mail or postage will not be accepted.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.  We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.