Economic Assistant (Part-time)

Bureau of Labor Statistics • Pittsfield, MA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the federal government’s principal fact-finding agency in labor economics and statistics, collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates statistical data to the public, Congress, government agencies, businesses, and labor. Economic Assistants collect prices and related data on commodities, services, and housing for the Consumer Price Index. Work is performed primarily in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, with travel throughout Berkshire County.

This is a part-time position only and does not lead to full-time employment. Initial hours average 16 to 32 per week, depending on workload and training. The schedule varies and may include day, evening, and weekend hours. The role involves visiting retail stores, businesses, and residences, and may require travel to Washington, D.C., or another location for mandatory classroom training. Some housing and commodities-and-services training is delivered remotely.

Data is gathered through in-person and telephone interviews, online collection, and limited collection by telephone, fax, email, and video. Economic Assistants enter data using handheld computers and review electronic collection forms on a Tablet PC for internal consistency and compliance with survey requirements. The position also requires obtaining voluntary cooperation from respondents, traveling to a field office for on-the-job training and periodic meetings, and making personal visits to housing units.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Must obtain the required security/investigation level and undergo a background investigation.
• GS-06 applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level.
• Qualifying specialized experience may include using computers and software to collect, compile, analyze, or report primary data; initiating contacts with a range of establishments and professionals to price goods and services; or interviewer/intake work requiring detailed record-keeping or oral persuasion skills with public contact.
• Must be available for variable work schedules, including day, evening, and weekend hours as needed.
• Must be able to travel temporarily outside the duty station by various modes of transportation.
• Must be able to make personal visits to housing units, including walking and standing for long periods and walking on uneven surfaces.

Responsibilities

• Visit retail and service establishments, including department stores, supermarkets, medical offices, and hotels, to collect retail price data.
• Collect retail price data from e-commerce websites.
• Collect limited data by telephone, fax, email, and video.
• Contact homeowners, renters, and apartment management companies through neighborhood visits and follow-up telephone interviews.
• Collect and enter data using a handheld computer.
• Review electronic collection forms on a Tablet PC for internal consistency and conformity with survey requirements.
• Obtain voluntary cooperation from survey respondents.
• Travel to a field office for on-the-job training and periodic meetings.
• Travel to scheduled training events, which may include mandatory classroom training.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed