Economic Assistant (Part-time)

Bureau of Labor Statistics • New York, NY

1d • 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 for 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. The position is part-time only and does not lead to full-time employment. Initial average hours are 16 to 32 per week, depending on workload and training, and the schedule varies week to week. Work includes a mix of day, evening, and weekend hours as needed. The position is based primarily in New York, NY, with travel throughout Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, and Richmond counties. Employees visit retail stores, businesses, and residences, and may need to travel to a field office for training and periodic meetings. Mandatory classroom training may require travel to Washington, D.C., or another location; some training is delivered remotely. This is not a remote work position. The selectee reports regularly to an assigned Department of Labor office and may be eligible for telework as determined by management.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Must obtain the necessary security/investigation level and undergo a background investigation before entering on duty.
• Must meet GS-06 qualifications: 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 establishments and professionals to price goods and services; or interviewer/intake work involving detailed record-keeping or oral persuasion with public contact.
• Must be available for a variable schedule that can include day, evening, and weekend hours, as required.
• Must be able to travel, make personal visits to housing units, and perform the associated walking and standing; driving may involve highways and local streets, nighttime driving, and adverse weather.
• Must meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements by the announcement closing date.

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; limited data collection is also conducted by telephone, fax, email, and video.
• Contact homeowners, renters, and apartment management companies through neighborhood visits and follow-up telephone interviews to collect housing data.
• Conduct personal and telephone interviews with store managers, buyers, property managers, tenants, homeowners, and other professionals.
• Collect and enter data using a handheld computer.
• Review electronic collection forms on a Tablet PC for internal consistency and compliance with survey requirements.
• Obtain voluntary cooperation from survey respondents.
• Travel to a field office for on-the-job training and periodic meetings.
• Attend mandatory training, which may require temporary travel outside the duty station.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility and benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

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