Economic Assistant (Part-time)

Bureau of Labor Statistics • Buffalo, NY

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 and government entities. Economic Assistants collect prices and related statistical 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 hours average 16 to 32 per week, depending on workload and training; the weekly schedule varies and may include day, evening, and weekend hours. This is not a remote position. Work is performed primarily in Buffalo, New York, with travel throughout Erie and Niagara counties. The role includes field visits to retail stores, businesses, and residences, as well as travel to a field office for training and meetings. Mandatory classroom training may require travel to Washington, D.C., or another location; some training is delivered through distance learning.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must obtain the required security/investigation level and undergo a background investigation.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• For GS-06, one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level is required. Qualifying 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 with public contact.
• Must be available for a variable part-time schedule that may include day, evening, and weekend hours.
• Must be able to make personal visits to housing units, which require walking and standing for long periods and may involve walking on uneven surfaces.
• Must be able to travel temporarily outside the duty station by various modes of transportation.
• Must travel in highway and local street conditions, including at night and in adverse weather.

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 data.
• Collect and enter data using a handheld computer.
• Review electronic collection forms on a Tablet PC for internal consistency and conformance with survey requirements.
• Obtain voluntary cooperation from survey respondents.
• Travel to a field office for on-the-job training and periodic meetings.
• Travel for mandatory classroom training when scheduled.

Benefits

• The posting states that federal employees receive access to a comprehensive benefits package, with eligibility dependent on position type and employment status; specific benefits for this position are not listed.

What This Job Offers

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