Job Description
Economic Assistant (Part-time) is listed by Philadelphia Regional Office - Division of Price Programs, Consumer Price Index Programs (CPI). The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is hiring a part-time Economic Assistant for its Philadelphia Regional Office, Consumer Price Index Programs (CPI).
This position is based in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and involves collecting prices and related data from retail stores, businesses, and residences in Franklin County. The role is part-time only, averaging 28 hours per week (range 16-32 hours), with a variable schedule that may include day, evening, and weekend hours.
This is not a full-time position and does not lead to full-time employment. Economic Assistants matters in producing the Consumer Price Index, a critical economic indicator. The job requires travel to the BLS training center in Washington, D.C.
For mandatory classroom training (one week introductory commodities and services, one week advanced data collection). Housing and some training are provided via distance learning. Candidates should be comfortable with frequent public contact, driving, and walking for long periods.
Salary & Compensation
Salary: $24.90 per hour.
Qualification
To qualify for this GS-6 Economic Assistant position, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level.
Specialized experience is work that is directly related to the duties of this position, such as using computer software to collect and analyze data, contacting businesses to price goods and services, or interviewing with detailed record-keeping.
- Year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-05 level.
- Experience using computers and software to collect, compile, analyze, or report primary data.
- Experience initiating contacts with establishments (corporate officials, store owners, managers, buyers, hospital administrators, etc.) to price goods and services.
- Interviewer or intake experience requiring detailed record-keeping and oral persuasion skills with public contact.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Must be at least 16 years old.
- Valid driver's license is required.
- Education: Any degree claimed must be from an accredited institution; foreign education must be evaluated for equivalency.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Collect prices and related data from retail stores, businesses, and residences in Chambersburg and Franklin County, PA.
- Travel to assigned locations using personal vehicle; driving conditions include highways, local streets, night driving, and adverse weather.
- Conduct personal visits to housing units, which require walking and standing for long periods, including on uneven surfaces.
- Contact corporate authorizing officials, store owners, managers, merchandise managers, buyers, and hospital administrators to obtain pricing information.
- Use computers and various software to record, compile, and report collected data.
- Attend mandatory classroom training at the BLS training center in Washington, D.C. (one week introductory commodities and services; one week advanced data collection).
- Complete distance learning for housing and some commodities and services training.
- Work a variable part-time schedule averaging 28 hours per week, including day, evening, and weekend hours as needed.
Conditions & Requirements
- Requires a probationary period if not already completed.
- Must obtain the required security/investigation level.
- Temporary travel outside the duty station by various modes of transportation is required.
- Personal visits to housing units require walking/standing for long periods, including on uneven surfaces.
- This position is part-time only and does not lead to full-time employment.
- Work schedule varies week to week; must be available for day, evening, and weekend hours.
- Must physically reside within or relocate (at own expense) to one of the counties listed in the duties section (Franklin County, PA).
Benefits
- Complete federal benefits package including health insurance, retirement, and paid leave.
- Eligibility for benefits depends on part-time status; contact hiring agency for details.
- Telework eligible (subject to agency policy).
- Access to the full range of federal employee benefits.
How You Will Be Evaluated
- Your application will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications outlined in the vacancy announcement.
- If you meet minimum qualifications, you will be placed into a category (A, B, or C) based on your responses to the vacancy questions.
- Category A: Superior proficiency in critical competencies. Category B: Satisfactory proficiency. Category C: Meets specialized experience only.
- You will be assessed on competencies: Attention to Detail, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Reading Comprehension, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, Teamwork.
- Evaluation may include an interview, reference checks, or other assessments.
- ICTAP/CTAP eligibles must be Category B or higher to be considered well-qualified.
- Veterans preference applies as per federal law.
Required Documents
- Resume: Must be limited to 2 pages per the Merit Hiring Plan. Include month/year and hours per week for each employment period.
- Veterans Documents: DD214 (for 5-point preference) or DD214 plus VA disability letter (for 10-point preference).
- Displaced Employee Placement Documents: Only if requesting CTAP/ICTAP priority consideration.
- Unofficial Transcript(s): If using education to qualify, provide transcripts showing degree or coursework.
- Cover Letter: Optional, not used for experience verification.
- Do not upload password-protected documents.
How to Apply
- Step 1: Create a the official application portal account at www.the official application portal. Build or upload a resume (limited to 2 pages) and save required documents. For each job entry, include start/end month/year and note full-time or part-time hours. Step 2: Locate this vacancy on the official application portal and click 'Apply'. Follow the prompts to select your resume and documents, then click 'Continue …
Additional Information
- This position is inside the bargaining unit (Local 12, AFGE for DC metro; NCFLL for outside DC metro).
- A background investigation is required before entry on duty.
- The Fair Chance Act prohibits requesting criminal history before a conditional offer.
- Drug-Free Workplace Program applies to all DOL employees.
- Reasonable accommodation requests for USA Hire assessments must be made before starting the assessments.
- Selectees must serve a 1-year probationary period unless already completed.
- Multiple positions may be filled from this vacancy.
- Applicants must reside in or relocate to Franklin County, PA (or surrounding counties as specified).
About Company
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is the principal fact-finding agency for the federal government in labor economics and statistics. It collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates essential data to the public, Congress, other agencies, and businesses. BLS is an independent national statistical agency within the U.S.
Department of Labor. This Economic Assistant position supports the Consumer Price Index (CPI) program, which measures price changes for goods and services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common applicant questions about this position, eligibility and the application process.