Economist (Recent Graduate)

1. Prepares estimates and analyzes data trends and economics.
2. Collaborate with others on joint or team projects under strict deadlines.
3. Communicate verbally and in writing to analyze/explain economic data, methods, or topics.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

1. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
2. This announcement will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the date the first 100 applicants are received or on June 19, 2026, whichever comes first.
3. You must be a U.S. Citizen.
4. You must successfully complete a background investigation.
5. Registered for Selective Service if applicable. (www.sss.gov)
6. You Must sign a Pathways Agreement.
7. This position is in the excepted service.
8. Relocation expenses may not be paid.
9. This is a non-bargaining unit position.
10. A probationary period may be required. If non-competitively converted, the time spent as a Recent Graduate will count towards the probationary period.
11. This position may be eligible for telework; additional criteria will be required (e.g., supervisory approval).

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Basic Entry Requirements for All Grade Levels: You must be a Recent College Graduates from qualifying institutions within two years of degree or certification (Veterans precluded by their military service obligation, will have up to six years to apply).

Students with a transcript with a degree confer date on or before June 30, 2026, will be considered for the Recent Graduate Program. Graduation/expected graduation date MUST be indicated on your resume.

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

Individual Occupational Requirements

1. Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus.
2. OR
3. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Evaluation of Experience

Examples of qualifying experience include:

1. individual economic research assignments requiring planning, information assembly, analysis and evaluation, conclusions and report preparation;
2. supervisory or project coordination assignments involving a staff of professional economists, and requiring the evaluation and interpretation of economic information; or
3. teaching assignments in a college or university that included both class instruction in economics subjects and one of the following (1) personal research that produced evidence of results, (2) direction of graduate theses in economics, or (3) service as a consultant or advisor on technical economics problems.

Experience in related fields that did not involve the use and understanding of economic principles and theories may not be used as qualifying experience for these positions. Special attention on this point should be given to certain types of work that may or may not have provided professional economic experience. The following examples of work require special care in such determinations:

1. economic statistics;
2. industrial surveys;
3. management of individual business enterprises, including farms;
4. industrial planning;
5. writing or editorial work in economic subjects; and
6. financial market analysis.

AND

Specialized Experience: For the Band 2 (GS-09) - Equivalent), you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the Band 2 (GS-07) in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes using computer software programs; compiling and assembling statistical material; evaluating and interpreting economic information to ensure data quality; identifying data discrepancies and irregularities; collecting and analyzing economic data from a primary or variety of sources; and managing assignments in an academic or professional environment.

OR

Education: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.

NOTE: To show proof of meeting the Basic Entry Requirements, all applicants MUST submit a copy of their college transcripts. See the Required Documents section for more information.

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.

After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement, 06/19/2026, to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.

Additional information

The Bureau of Economic Analysis is seeking bright, innovative, results-oriented individuals to join our Recent Graduates Program (RGP). The Recent Graduate Program is a one-year program that targets individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Successful applicants will be placed in a dynamic, one-year career development program. Throughout the program, you will participate in formal training, job assignments and receive a mentor to develop competencies applicable to the Bureau of Economic Analysis's mission and needs. These positions are at the band I/II/III entry levels, with an opportunity for permanent appointment upon successful completion of the program.

To be eligible for conversion to a permanent or term position, Recent Graduates must:

1. Successfully completed at least 1-year of continuous service in addition to all requirements of the Program.
2. Demonstrate successful job performance.
3. Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualifications for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted.

In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Recent Graduates and their supervisors must sign Pathways Agreements setting forth expectations for the program.

To find additional information regarding the Pathways Recent Graduate Program, please visit the following website: Pathways Recent Graduate Program

The Department of Commerce provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users can contact the HR Office via the Federal Relay Service, 1-800-877-8339.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.