Working at BEA
Who We Are
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is one of the world’s leading statistical agencies. BEA produces many of the nation’s most closely watched economic indicators, including GDP, Personal Income, Corporate Profits and Trade in Goods and Services. BEA’s data products influence decisions made by government officials, businesses, and households alike. BEA’s mission, to promote a better understanding of the U.S. economy by providing the most timely, relevant and accurate economic accounts data in an objective and cost effective manner, is implemented through collecting data, conducting research and analysis, developing and implementing estimation methodologies, and disseminating data. The data produced by BEA are among the most important tools used by fiscal and monetary policymakers in Congress and the Executive Branch, including the Council of Economic Advisers, the Federal Reserve, the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Treasury.
BEA is located within the Suitland Federal Center (SFC) in Suitland, MD, just outside of Washington, DC. The SFC is an award-winning, state-of-the-art workplace conveniently located directly off the Suitland Metro stop; free parking and a variety of vanpools, carpools, and bus lines are also available. On-site amenities include a cafeteria, gym, health center, and child development center.
Why Work for BEA?
BEA is consistently ranked as one of the Best Places to Work in the Federal government. We provide outstanding benefits, training, advancement opportunities, telework and alternative work schedule options, and a comfortable, healthy and efficient work environment. BEA is a moderately sized agency, with all staff housed together in one location and is largely comprised of economists, accountants, statisticians, and information technology professionals. If you are looking to make an impact applying top-flight analytical skills to measure and understand the nation’s economy, BEA is the right place for you.
Pay
BEA participates in the Commerce Alternative Personnel System, which provides pay for performance and a more flexible pay plan and pay structure than the standard Federal system.
Benefits
Federal employees take can take advantage of a host of standard federal benefits, including a variety of health insurance plans to choose from, retirement plan, long-term care insurance, life insurance, and thrift savings plan.
| Employee Assistance Program (EAP) | The Employee Assistance Program provides services designed to help employees, managers, and organizations meet life challenges and remain healthy, engaged, and productive. |
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| Flexible Spending Accounts | Flexible Spending Accounts allow you to save money for health care expenses with a Health Care or Limited Expense Health Care Flexible Spending Account. |
| Health Insurance - (Federal Employees Health Benefits - FEHBP) | The FEHB Program can help you and your family meet your health care needs. |
| Life Insurance - (Federal Employees Group Life Insurance - FEGLI) | The Federal Government established the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program on August 29, 1954. |
| Long Term Care Insurance (FLTCIP) | Find our more information about the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP). |
| Retirement | Learn more about your retirement options. |
| Thrift Savings Plan - (TSP) | TSP is a retirement savings plan for Federal civilian employees serving on permanent appointments or temporary appointments of 1 year or more. |
| Federal Holidays | Federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) establishes the following public holidays for Federal employees. |
| Leave Manual | Find more information about leave programs here. |
Job Openings
How to apply
Applications are accepted via www.USAJOBS.gov. For more information on how to use USAJOBS, please click here.
Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
Applicants are encouraged to pay attention to the “Who May Apply” section of announcements. Current and Former Federal Employees (Status Candidates/Merit Promotion Candidates) are encouraged to apply to the vacancy announcement that has been identified as “Merit Assignment Procedures (MAP)” or one open to all “Status Candidates.” Applicants should contact the HR Specialist listed in the vacancy announcement for further questions.
Current Vacancies
If there are no current vacancies, we encourage you to set-up a search agent (How to Create a Search Agent) through USAJOBS to automatically be notified when a vacancy is posted.
New Employees
Welcome to BEA! We can’t wait for your first day! Make sure you read the below to make sure you have everything you need to get started.
What To Do Before Orientation
You must complete these forms by the date identified in your offer letter, usually no later than one (1) week before your scheduled orientation day. You will receive a pre-addressed envelope to use for returning the information to the Census Hiring and Employment Check (CHEC) staff. If you have questions regarding the completion of any of the listed forms or the fingerprinting process, please call the CHEC staff at (877) 615–2585.
| I–9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form (PDF) | Complete section one(1) only. Please include copies of two forms of I.D. from the approved list on the I–9 form (one of which must be a federal or state-issued picture I.D.) You must bring the originals of your two forms of I.D. to orientation. |
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| OF–306 Declaration of Federal Employment (PDF) | If your answer is YES to any of the questions on the OF–306, please contact Kimberly Blackman immediately at (301) 278-9061 (Kimberly.Blackman@bea.gov). Remember to sign and date section 17a with the date of your offer letter. Do not sign section 17b. |
| Two (2) Completed Fingerprint Cards | You will receive two fingerprint cards in the mail on which fingerprinting must be completed. If you live in the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Area, you can make an appointment with the CHEC office to be fingerprinted at no cost. You may also visit your local law enforcement agency to be fingerprinted; there may be a cost for this service. |
| e-QIP Applicant Release Form and Certification Statement | Visit the Electronic Questionnaire for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) Web site to complete the online questionnaire by the date identified in your offer letter. Review the Quick Reference Guide for e-QIP Applicants prior to beginning your questionnaire. Print the release form and the certification statement before exiting the e-QIP Web site to submit. If you experience problems with the e-QIP site, please contact the CHEC staff at (877) 615–2585. |
| Resume | |
| Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Applicant Training Completion Certificate | Visit the Office of Security Web site and complete the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) applicant training. Submit a copy of your completion certificate to the CHEC staff along with the other documents listed above. |
| An original/sealed copy of your transcripts (if requested in offer letter) | |
If, for some reason, you have not completed and submitted the required documents by the date identified in your offer letter, you will not be able to begin your employment. You must contact the CHEC staff to establish a new orientation date.
Where We Are
BEA is located within the Suitland Federal Center at 4600 Silver Hill Road Suitland, MD 20746. We are right next to the Suitland stop on Metro’s green line and also offer free parking for those who prefer to drive. There are also vanpool and carpool options available.
What To Bring Your First Day
In your new hire packet, you should have received a temporary badge and parking permit, make sure you bring those with you on your first day.
Be sure to also complete the forms listed below and bring them with you to orientation. If you have any questions, please contact Kimberly Blackman, (301) 278-9061 (Kimberly.Blackman@bea.gov). You are also more than welcome to make note of the questions and hold them until your orientation date.
You must fill out each document listed below even if you have already done so before.
Please use the Printable Checklist to ensure you have all the forms completed.
| Required Documentation | |
|---|---|
| I–9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form (PDF) | Please bring two forms of I.D. from the approved list on the I–9 form, one of which must be a federal- or state-issued picture I.D. |
| OF–306 Declaration for Federal Employment Form (PDF) | Complete the form in its entirety. Note: sign section 17a with the date you received your offer letter and leave 17b blank until orientation when you will be sworn in and appointed. |
| CD–525 Employee Address Form (PDF) | Please use your local address, whether it is temporary or permanent, to complete this form. |
| CD–314 Statement Relating to Employee Responsibilities and Conduct Form (PDF) | Read the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees. This form must be completed as proof that you have read and understand your responsibilities. |
| SF–181 Ethnicity and Race Identification Form (PDF) | The information collected on this form is used for statistical purposes only and will not affect your employment. |
| SF–256 Self-Identification of Disability Form (PDF) | The information collected on this form is used for statistical purposes only and will not affect your employment. |
| Pre-Appointment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration Form (PDF) | If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, and want to work for the federal government, you must complete this form. |
| Uniformed Service Status (PDF) | Everyone must complete this form, regardless of prior military service. Check the appropriate box that identifies either no prior service or the type of prior service you have had. |
| SF–1199A Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form (GSA website) (PDF) | When completing this form, the banking information must either be completed by your bank or you must attach a voided check. |
| W–4 Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate Form (PDF) | We are not authorized to provide tax guidance. We recommend that you consult with your family and seek guidance from the IRS. There is also guidance at the top of the form. |
| Withholding Exemption Certificate | We are not authorized to provide tax guidance. We recommend that you consult with your family and seek guidance from the IRS. VA–4 Virginia Employee’s Withholding Exemption Certificate (PDF) -OR- MW 507 Employee’s Maryland Withholding Exemption Certificate (PDF) -OR- D–4 Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate (PDF) |