Do you enjoy conducting survey methodological research? Do you like mixing qualitative and quantitative research to solve problems related to surveys of households, individuals, and establishments? Do you like working in a group to address issues related to user experience, measurement error, or nonresponse error? Does a federal job that emphasizes work-life balance and is committed to your professional development sound right for you?
If the answers to those questions is yes, then consider applying to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Office of Survey Methods Research! We will be hiring one GS-12 or GS-13 Research Statistician to join the Behavioral Science Research Center (BSRC).
In the coming weeks, two vacancy announcements will be posted on USAJobs.gov: one for members of the public, and one for federal employees. U.S. citizenship is required. Candidates may apply at the GS-12 or GS-13 level, with promotion potential up to a GS-14. (More information about government pay scales can be found here, here, and here.) Telework is available.
Interested applicants are encouraged to set up accounts in USAJobs and start preparing their application materials in advance of the announcement, as it may close quickly. USAJobs also allows users to save their searches and set up notifications for future vacancy announcements.
In 2023, AAPOR hosted a webinar on revamping resumes, which included a segment (starting around 42:45) on applying to positions in the federal government. A few tips for a successful application process are outlined here:
• Review the required documentation (including resumes and unofficial transcripts) to ensure the application is complete.
• Provide transcripts that document the degree requirements listed in the Qualifications section of the announcement. Provide all relevant transcripts, not just your most recent one. If the transcripts are not self-explanatory, add a section for “relevant coursework” to the education section of your resume or CV, highlighting the courses and credits that should count toward the requirement.
• Tailor your resume or CV to the vacancy announcement. Document your relevant work experience through bullet points in your resume or CV. Reflect the language used in the announcement where applicable (see Duties and Specialized Experience under Qualifications). Resumes are first reviewed by non-technical human resources staff that determine whether you are minimally qualified by ensuring your resume corresponds to the requirements listed in the announcement.
• Ensure that your work experience is tied to specific position titles and dates. Do NOT list all work experience in one section. For each position, list start and stop dates (using “MM/YYYY” format), and include information about the number of hours worked per week. This is how human resources staff determine whether your cumulative experience meets the work threshold (see Specialized Experience under Qualifications).
• You do not have to limit your resume or CV to one or two pages. You can take as much room as you need (within reason) to convey your qualifications.
• Proofread your resume or CV before you submit your application.
• For more information on writing an effective Federal resume, read: Tips for Writing a Federal Resume | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Kristen Nathe at the Department of Labor Office of Human Resources (312-353-2364 or [email protected]).