Supervisory Agricultural Economist

Economic Research Service • Kansas City, MO

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position is with the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS), Office of Food Markets, in Kansas City, Missouri. The position serves as Branch Chief of Food Prices and Expenditures, planning, directing, and managing agricultural economic research, analysis, and information dissemination. The work focuses on food demand, food prices and expenditures, food retail, and the food supply chain.

The Branch Chief manages complex research projects, identifies the research activities and resources needed to complete branch work, and represents the branch, office, agency, and department in high-level meetings. The role also provides technical and administrative supervision to professional economists and oversees employee training recommendations, communications about personnel and administrative programs, morale, discipline, and employee relations.

The position requires the specified economics education or an equivalent combination of education and experience, as well as specialized experience at a level comparable to GS-14. The position is a permanent federal career or career-conditional position. It may be eligible for telework up to four days per week and flexible work arrangements, subject to agency policy and applicable agreements.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Must pass satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint adjudication.
• Must complete a one-year probationary period unless previously served; a one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period also applies unless prior service is creditable.
• New USDA supervisors must complete all components of the required training program before the end of the supervisory probationary period.
• Must use direct deposit for federal payments.
• Must successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must meet the basic education requirement: a degree in economics including at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus; or equivalent coursework in economics plus appropriate experience or additional education.
• Must have one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-14, directly related to the position, including serving as a primary author of influential work widely recognized or adopted in relevant economics fields; managing complex projects in those fields; and analyzing public policy results relating to food demand, food prices and expenditures, food retail, or the food supply chain.
• If selected, must submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of initial appointment and annually thereafter.
• Must comply with applicable financial disclosure requirements concerning business or personal transactions with relevant applicants, borrowers, or business contacts.

Responsibilities

• Analyze the consequences of public policies related to food demand, food prices and expenditures, food retail, and the food supply chain.
• Disseminate basic statistics and data, research findings, and policy analyses to key client groups.
• Manage technically complex projects, selecting or developing appropriate current research methodologies and applying them to complicated economic problems.
• Identify research activities and resources required to complete the work assigned to the branch.
• Serve as the focal point for research and analysis on appropriate topics and represent the branch within the department.
• Represent the branch, office, agency, and department in high-level meetings concerning assigned areas of responsibility.
• Provide technical and administrative supervision to professional economists working through project teams led by team leaders.
• Consult with employees about training needs and submit final recommendations.
• Keep employees informed about personnel and other administrative programs.
• Maintain employee morale, discipline, and constructive employee relations.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized, subject to the hiring official's determination.
• The position may allow telework up to four days per week.
• Flexible work arrangements may be available under agency policy and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior