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INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIST (RESEARCH ASSISTANT)
Summary
An independent Federal agency, the U.S. International Trade Commission provides the President and Congress with high-quality analysis and technical support on international trade, tariff and competitiveness issues; hears and decides import injury cases; and publishes the United States' tariff schedule. You will find a working environment throughout the Commission that is dedicated to the development of your technical skills and a commitment to provide balance between your work and personal life.
This job is open to
The public
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Clarification from the agency
This position is being filled under the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Direct Hiring Authority (DHA). Under DHA Veterans' preference does not apply. Traditional competitive rating and ranking procedures are not required. Qualified applicants are evaluated based on minimum qualification requirements and job-related competencies. Selections may be made without regard to category ranking procedures.
Duties
MAJOR DUTIES
- Develop data collection instruments, compile and validate datasets from multiple sources, and ensure accuracy, consistency, and methodological integrity of economic information used in agency studies.
- Monitor economic trends, industry developments, and policy changes to identify emerging issues requiring analysis and recommend areas for further research.
- Contribute to the expansion, modification, or refinement of ongoing studies by incorporating new data, adjusting analytical frameworks, and documenting methodological changes.
- Coordinate with internal staff and external stakeholders including other federal agencies, industry representatives, academic experts, and international contacts to obtain specialized information and clarify technical matters.
- Draft technical memoranda, background papers, and briefing materials that support senior officials in decision-making, strategic planning, and responses to statutory requirements.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.S. Citizenship is Required.
- You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
- Males born after 12/03/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
- Selectee must pass successfully complete a background investigation.
- Selectee must obtain and maintain Secret Clearance.
Qualifications
You must meet all the requirements below by the closing date of the announcement and they must be clearly identified in your application, resume, or supporting documents. This includes any general and specialized experience, education, and/or selective placement factors mentioned. These are used to determine if you possess the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to successfully perform in this position.
Economist Series 0110 Individual Occupational Requirements
Basic Requirements
1. Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus.
OR
2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Specialized Experience
To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience obtained in the private or public sector that is equivalent to the GS-09 level. Specialized experience is defined as
- Applying economic theory and econometric methods to independently plan and execute complex economic research using primary and secondary data sources.
- Conducting statistical analyses (e.g., regression, time-series, or forecasting techniques) using statistical software such as R, Stata, SAS, or similar tools.
- Designing research approaches, conducting comprehensive literature reviews, interpreting and explaining significant or subtle data variations, and modifying analytical procedures to address unexpected conditions.
- Presenting clear, well-supported findings to inform policy, legislative, or program decisions is essential.
OR
Master's or equivalent graduate degree
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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus.
GS-11: To substitute education for specialized experience, you must possess a master's or equivalent graduate degree if related; or you may combine specialized experience and graduate level education which totals at least 100 percent. (school transcript required by closing date)
School transcript(s)
All transcripts must be fully legible at the time of submission. Illegible, blurred, incomplete, or altered documents will not be reviewed. The reviewer will not modify, enhance, interpret, or alter any submitted documents for the purpose of determining qualifications. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials are clear and readable prior to submission.
Foreign Education
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Special Instructions for Foreign Education
Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - US Department of Education. Another listing of services that an perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
Additional information
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Employment of Relatives
Section 3110 of Title 5, U.S. Code, prohibits a Federal official from appointing, promoting, or advocating the appointment or promotion of a relative in the agency where the official is serving or exercises jurisdiction. In addition, Section 2302(b)(7) of Title 5, U.S. Code, makes it a "prohibited personnel practice" for a person in authority to "appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for the appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement of a relative." For further information visit: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/3110 and https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/5/2302
Work Life Balance
USITC offers Transit subsidy for commuters using public transportation (Metro Bus/Rail, MARC, VRE, etc.). This position is telework eligible.
Background Investigation
To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the USITC requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully completed a background investigation for a Secret Clearance. This review could include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
USITC will conduct an interim security clearance, pending the completion of the full investigative requirements for the final Secret clearance. The interim security clearance will be granted based on the favorable completion of preliminary checks that are accomplished as part of the security clearance process.
The agency may rescind the tentative offer, if the candidate is unable to obtain an interim clearance.
Selective Service
If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you are registered with the Selective Service or are exempt under Selective Service regulations. For additional information concerning Selective Service requirements, please visit http://www.sss.gov/.
Reasonable Accommodations
This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact listed on the vacancy announcement. The decision to grant a reasonable accommodation is made on a case-by-case basis. Verification of information: Any information claimed on your resume and in application materials, such as education, credentials, employment history, etc., will be verified as part of the security clearance process.
Vacancy ID number: DH-26-015-DF
Additional Selections may be made for similar positions at USITC. by applying, you agree to have your resume shared with any interested selecting officials.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
BASIS OF RATING
If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your resume will be evaluated by a Subject Matter Expert Panel (SME). Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience(s) as it relates to this job opportunity.
If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be excluded from further consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.
You will be further evaluated on the following Competencies required for the position:
- Economic Analysis & Research Design
- Quantitative & Statistical Analysis
- Data Management & Computational Proficiency
- Critical Thinking & Analytical Judgment
- Technical Communication & Collaboration
We DO NOT require a separate narrative statement responding to the competencies; however, your resume must CLEARLY show possession of these competencies.
If you meet the qualifications stated above and you are among the top candidates your application may be referred to the Selecting Official for further review.
Required Documents
To receive consideration, you must submit the documentation specified below by 03/13/2026
- The Content of Resume: Your resume, curriculum vitae, or other written form you choose to describe your job-related experiences are used to verify your qualifications. Therefore, it is important that your resume accurately reflects the duties and responsibilities under each position you have held with each employer. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. It is your responsibility to make sure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total number of hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified, and you will no longer be considered for this position.
- Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): eligibles must submit the following documents: a copy of their agency notice, a copy of their most recent performance rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, indicating their current position, grade level, and duty location. Please note that applicants will not qualify if the vacancy being applied for has a higher promotion potential than the last position they held.
- For applicants qualifying on the basis of education: A transcript or list of completed courses is required if you are claiming to qualify based on your education. The information presented in the transcript must be verifiable; at the minimum the transcript or list of courses should contain the name of the institution, applicant's name, semester hours, and GPA. If you provided an unofficial transcript or list of completed courses at the time of application and you are selected, you will be required to provide an official transcript prior to appointment.
- Cover Letter:This is optional. Cover page to fax paper application
- OPM Form 1203fx: http://federalgovernmentjobs.us/forms/opm1203fx.pdf
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/13/2026 to receive consideration.
If you are having issues applying to this announcement, you should switch to a different browser, network, or device.
Note: Your firewall may block your transfer from USAJobs to your USITC application.
Please follow the instructions listed below for submitting your complete application package. Application procedures are specific to this vacancy announcement. Please read all instructions before you begin.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
- Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
Resume Requirements:
- Resumes are limited to two (2) pages
- Resumes should focus on the knowledge, skills, abilities; accomplishments and results; and training and education relevant to this position.
- Resumes must be in the following format (for each position held relevant to this position:
- Short summary of position duties
- Accomplishments while in the position
- Results of those accomplishments
- If your supporting documents and resume are illegible or do not provide the necessary information for the Human Resource Specialist and/or Subject Matter Expert to make a qualification determination, you may lose consideration for this position.
- If multiple copies of the same document are uploaded/faxed and submitted with your application, We will only consider the last copy of the document uploaded/faxed when determining your eligibility and qualifications. For example, if you upload/fax two or more resumes only the last resume uploaded/faxed and submitted will be considered.
Agency contact information
500 E St SW
Washington, DC 20436
US
Next steps
After each step in the recruitment process, your status will be updated in the online application tracking system and if you have elected to receive email updates, you will be notified through your USAJOBS registered email address. If you have not elected to receive email updates, you can review your current application status in USAJOBS at any time. Please check that your USAJOBS profile contact information is current and correct each time you apply to a job. This will ensure we can contact you as quickly as possible.
In addition to changing your status online, we will send you email notifications at each major step in the process: Upon receipt of your application, upon minimum qualifications determination, after candidates have been referred to the hiring official, and once a selection has been made.
Position Reconsideration Process
Applicants who have applied for employment with the U.S. International Trade Commission who were found to be ineligible for a position, may submit a request for reconsideration upon reasonable demonstration that a reconsideration review is necessary.
Request for Reconsideration will not be accepted for failure to submit appropriate required documentation, failure to complete or respond accurately to required Assessments and/or missed deadlines.
Applicants seeking a Request for Reconsideration should reach out to the servicing Human Resources Specialist indicated in the Vacancy Announcement to see you meet the eligibility requirements for reconsideration. If you meet the eligibility requirements for reconsideration, the Human Resources Office will review the application based on the reconsideration request to determine if the rating was appropriate and render a final decision to the applicant.
A request to reconsider a rating determination must be received in the servicing Human Resources Office within 5 business days from the date indicated on the Touch Point Notification, Notice of Results received from USA Staffing, or it will be rejected as an untimely request for reconsideration.
Overview
- 0110 Economist
- Credentialing
- Suitability/Fitness
- National security
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