Economic Assistant (part-time)

Summary

The 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.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Work is primarily in Columbus, OH or Dayton, OH, but includes travel throughout the following counties:

Columbus, OH:

Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Hocking, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Perry, Pickaway, Union

Dayton, OH:

Greene, Miami, Montgomery

THIS POSITION IS PART-TIME ONLY AND DOES NOT LEAD TO FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT. THIS IS NOT ENTRY LEVEL FOR AN ECONOMIST POSITION. The initial average hours per week will be 16 to 32 hours to start depending on workload and training requirements. Work schedule will vary week to week depending upon work requirements. This is not a job for a person who needs full-time work or who cannot be available for work when required, which includes a mix of day, evening and weekend hours as needed. Additionally, this position requires visits to retail stores, businesses, and residences to gather the required information. 

Selectees must travel to the Bureau of Labor Statistics training center in Washington, D.C. up to two times during the first year for mandatory classroom training as follows: Two (2) week introductory commodities and services training and One (1) week of advanced data collection. Housing training is accomplished through distance learning.

Economic Assistants collect prices and related statistical data on a wide variety of commodities, services, and housing for the BLS Consumer Price Index. Data for commodities and services are collected by conducting personal and telephone interviews with store managers and buyers, managers in auto dealerships, doctors, pharmacists, and other professionals. Data for the housing survey are obtained by personal visit or telephone interview with either property managers, tenants, or homeowners. Duties include, but are not limited to:

Visiting retail and service establishments such as department stores, supermarkets, medical offices, and hotels to collect retail price data. A limited amount of data is collected by telephone/fax.

Contacting homeowners, renters, and apartment management companies by personal visit to neighborhoods and follow up telephone interviews.

Collecting and entering data on a handheld computer.

Obtaining voluntary cooperation from survey respondents.

Traveling to a field office for on-the-job training and periodic meetings.

Travel Required

75% or less - VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE IS REQUIRED - Driving conditions include highway & local streets, driving at night and in adverse weather conditions. Temporary travel outside the duty station by various modes of transportation is required. Work in retail stores is typically completed during normal business hours. Personal visits to housing units are necessary and require walking/standing for long periods. Collection from housing units is likely to include walking on uneven surfaces.

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

07 - There is no obligation to provide future promotions if you are selected. Promotions are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, meet all the performance requirements, and supervisor’s recommendation to the next grade.