Economic Assistant (Part-time)

Bureau of Labor Statistics • Seattle, WA

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 for the public, Congress, government agencies, businesses, and labor. Economic Assistants collect prices and related statistical information on commodities, services, and housing for the Consumer Price Index. This is a part-time position, initially averaging 16 to 32 hours per week depending on workload and training needs. The work schedule varies week to week and may include day, evening, and weekend hours. The position is not remote and is not an entry-level economist position; it does not lead to full-time employment.

Work is performed primarily in Seattle, Washington, with travel throughout King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Duties involve visits to retail and service establishments, businesses, and residences, as well as data collection from e-commerce websites and, to a limited extent, by telephone, fax, email, and video. The position includes travel to a field office for on-the-job training and meetings, and travel to a BLS training center in Washington, D.C., or another location for scheduled mandatory classroom training. Some housing and commodities-and-services training is conducted through distance learning.

The role requires a valid driver’s license and driving on highways and local streets, including at night and in adverse weather. Housing data collection requires personal visits and may involve walking or standing for long periods and walking on uneven surfaces. Temporary travel outside the duty station by various modes of transportation is required. The selectee must undergo a background investigation and obtain the required security/investigation level.

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.
• For GS-06, 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 establishments and professionals to price goods and services; or interviewer/intake experience requiring detailed record-keeping or oral persuasion with public contact.
• Must be available for a variable schedule that may include day, evening, and weekend hours, and for work as required.
• Must be able to travel, make personal visits to housing units, and meet the role’s walking and standing demands.

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 and, to a limited extent, by telephone, fax, email, and video.
• Contact homeowners, renters, and apartment management companies through neighborhood visits and follow-up telephone interviews to collect housing survey data.
• Conduct personal and telephone interviews with store managers, buyers, auto dealership managers, doctors, pharmacists, other professionals, property managers, tenants, and homeowners.
• 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, and attend scheduled mandatory training that may require travel.

What This Job Offers

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