Economist (DIRECT HIRE)

Summary The mission of the Antitrust Division is to promote competition by enforcing the antitrust laws to protect economic freedom and opportunity on behalf of the American people. The Antitrust Division has an opening for an Economist to join its dedicated team and gain invaluable experience working in the public interest to protect the competitive process. Are you ready to contribute to matters of national importance that promote a competitive and productive American economy? Responsibilities This position is located in the Expert Analysis Group (EAG) within the Antitrust Division (ATR). The Expert Analysis Group (EAG) is one of the world's leading venues for developing and applying economics to real world questions of competition. The Economist hired will conduct analysis that plays a central role in enforcement efforts to protect competition and benefit consumers through low prices, high quality, and innovation. As an Economist (DIRECT HIRE), you will: Prepare economic reports and recommendations. Evaluate economic studies and determine data sources. Initiate planning and conducting for economic studies and analyses. Plan and conduct economic studies and analyses. Contribute to program support activities. Plan and coordinate group efforts on research projects. Program/project development and/or project management work. Please note: Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to be considered for this position. You must undergo a pre-employment security investigation. You may be required to take and successfully clear a drug test. You must submit a complete application package by the closing date of this announcement. SELECTIVE SERVICE: All male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service (see SSS.gov). If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law. DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. This position is ineligible for inclusion in a bargaining unit. This is a full-time, non-supervisory permanent appointment in the competitive service subject to a one-year trial period in accordance with 5 CFR 315.801. The Antitrust Division participates in the E-Verify program. Qualifications Specialized experience is experience that has provided you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position as described above, and that is typically in or related to this position being filled. To qualify for this position at the GS-12, applicants must meet both the basic qualification requirements AND demonstrate the required specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: GS-12 level: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 level performing ALL of the below: Conducting economic studies and analyses (in fields such as microeconomics, industrial organization, health, labor, and econometrics) under the oversight of a senior co-worker, manager, or researcher; and Effectively communicating economic or econometric analyses by organizing and documenting research results through written reports and oral presentations. To qualify for this position at the GS-13, applicants must meet both the basic qualification requirements AND demonstrate the required specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level. GS-13 level: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 level performing ALL of the below: Conducting economic studies and analyses (in fields such as microeconomics, industrial organization, health, labor, and econometrics) with the assistance of a senior co-worker, manager, or researcher; Effectively communicating economic or econometric analyses including assumptions and concepts by organizing and documenting research results through written reports and oral presentations; and Developing new economic or econometric techniques or models with assistance from senior researchers. IMPORTANT: A full year of work is 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited based on time spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Basic Requirements: 1. A degree in economics that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus; NOTE: Transcript(s) must be provided. -OR- 2. Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. Applicants MUST submit a copy of transcripts with your application. An unofficial transcript is acceptable to qualify, but it must include your full name, name of the school, the date and degree awarded (if conferred), the list of classes, grades and credits earned. You will be required to submit an official transcript prior to appointment if you are selected. All academic degrees and course work must be completed at an institution that has obtained accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Click here to check accreditation. Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. Additional Information The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is online. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over candidates from other agencies for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority over other applicants who are not employees of the Department of Justice if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is online. 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Created: 2026-03-20