Mathematical Statistician

SummaryThe Bureau of Labor Statistics measures labor market activity, working conditions, price changes, and productivity in the U.S. economy to support public and private decision making.This position is inside the bargaining unit.ResponsibilitiesAt the GS-11, duties may include, but are not limited to the following:-Provide guidance for the development and implementation of statistical methodology.-Participates in research and evaluation studies to address issues in survey design, estimation, variance estimation, and other statistical issues.-Participates in the development and implementation of a broad spectrum of sample and survey designs for establishment and household surveys.-Participates in research and evaluation studies to develop methodology to estimate index measures to determine the accuracy and variance of output indexes.-Prepares drafts of technical statements of statistical findings, evaluations, and recommendations regarding survey design and estimation processes.-Serves on interdisciplinary project teams for the development and implementation of sampling and survey methodology.At the GS-12, duties may include, but are not limited to the following:-Serves on and shares leadership of interdisciplinary project teams for the development and implementation of sampling and survey methodology.-Gives technical guidance and assistance to lower grade statisticians.-Develops software to conduct statistical analyses and studies including the development of prototypes to facilitate development of statistical processing systems.-Provides statistical leadership for the development and implementation of statistical methodology for major survey programs.-Conducts research and evaluation studies to address issues in survey design, estimation, variance estimation, and other statistical issues.-Develops and implements a broad spectrum of sample and survey designs for establishment and household surveys.RequirementsConditions of EmploymentMust be a U.S. citizen and at least 16 years of age.Requires a probationary period if requirement has not been met.Appointment to these positions may require a background investigation.Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.QualificationsI. Mathematical Statistics Basic Requirements:One of the following (A or B):A. Degree: that included 24 semester hours of mathematics and statistics, of which at least 12 semester hours were in mathematics and 6 semester hours were in statistics.ORB. Combination of education and experience at least 24 semester hours of mathematics and statistics, including at least 12 hours in mathematics and 6 hours in statistics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.NOTE: Courses acceptable toward meeting the mathematics course requirement of A and B above must have included at least four of the following: differential calculus, integral calculus, advanced calculus, theory of equations, vector analysis, advanced algebra, linear algebra, mathematical logic, differential equations, or any other advanced course in mathematics for which one of these was a prerequisite. Courses in mathematical statistics or probability theory with a prerequisite of elementary calculus or more advanced courses will be accepted toward meeting the mathematics requirements, with the provision that the same course cannot be counted toward both the mathematics and the statistics requirement.ANDII. Grade-level RequirementsApplicants must also meet at least one of the following three requirements for directly-related education, specialized experience, or a combination of directly-related education and specialized experience.1) EducationGS-113 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.GS-12There is no education substitution at this grade level.OR2) Specialized Experience:Each of the specialized experience described below must be in or related to the field of mathematics and statistics, and have included the application and/or research of mathematical and statistical concepts, theories, methods, and techniques. Specialized experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience may have been in an unpaid or paid status.GS-11Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in scope and responsibility to the next lower grade level (i.e. GS-09) in the Federal Service. Examples of experience indicators at this level include assisting with ANY of the following activities described below.Preparing data to include providing technical support (i.e. monitor and maintain specific aspects of) with statistical processes for weighting data and/or addressing sampling error or non-sampling error (i.e. non-response error or response error).Providing technical support in the process of deciding which persons or businesses to obtain or collect data from, and/or which statistical method(s) to use. Examples of experience indicators at this level include contributing to the modification of methods or techniques for either of the following two activities: (1) identification of the sampling unit and gathering and preparing sampling frames OR (2) selection of a sampling method to draw samples from a sample frame, such as, probability sampling e.g. probability sampling may include utilizing cluster, simple random, proportional to size, stratified, systematic, or a combination of sampling methods (i.e. multi-stage sampling).Preparing portions of technical papers that explain statistical requirements or statistical methods.Contributing (dependently) to research on statistical topics. An example of an experience indicator at this level includes consulting with senior mathematical statisticians and/or project leaders to complete tasks of an investigation into statistical issues. Statistical topics may have included, but are not limited to the following: evaluating new sampling techniques, analyzing frame data, evaluating alternative estimators, evaluating alternative variance computation techniques, testing better approaches for obtaining survey data, evaluating non-response bias, evaluating seasonal adjustment procedures, evaluating imputation procedures, researching regression trees and estimators, OR statistical requirements/specifications for systems development and/or testing.GS-12Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in scope and responsibility to the next lower grade level (i.e. GS-11) in the Federal Service. Examples of experience indicators at this level include assisting with ANY of the following activities described below.Preparing data to include providing guidance (i.e. quality assurance for parts of the process) on statistical processes for weighting data and/or addressing sampling error or non-sampling error (i.e. non-response error or response error).Participating in the planning process for deciding which persons or businesses to obtain or collect data from, and/or which statistical method(s) to use. Examples of experience indicators at this level include contributing to the development of aspects of new methods or techniques for either of the following two activities: (1) identification of the sampling unit and gathering and preparing sampling frames OR (2) selection of a sampling method to draw samples from a sample frame, such as, probability sampling e.g. probability sampling may include utilizing cluster, simple random, proportional to size, stratified, systematic, or a combination of sampling methods (i.e. multi-stage sampling).Preparing methodological and/or technical papers that explain statistical findings or statistical evaluations.Contributing (independently, through others, or strategically) to research on statistical topics. An example of an experience indicator at this level includes planning, coordinating, and executing tasks for statistical studies. Statistical topics may have included, but are not limited to the following: evaluating new sampling techniques, analyzing frame data, evaluating alternative estimators, evaluating alternative variance computation techniques, testing better approaches for obtaining survey data, evaluating non-response bias, evaluating seasonal adjustment procedures, evaluating imputation procedures, researching regression trees and estimators, OR statistical requirements/specifications for systems development and/or testing.OR3) Combination ofEducation and Specialized Experience as described below.GS-11Graduate education (less than three years but more than two) and specialized experience as required for GS-11 (less than one year) that when combinedtotals one year.GS-12There is no combination of education and specialized experience at this grade level.EducationAny applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.Additional InformationDOL seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees’ differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve. DOL fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility and fairness so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES