Research Associate (AC)

 

The Postal Regulatory Commission has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, highly skilled person with experience in accounting, economics and other technical or analytical areas.

This position is assigned to our Auditing and Costing Division.


Overview

The Postal Regulatory Commission is a small, independent agency that is part of the executive branch of the Federal government. As a small agency, we provide the opportunity to work in a professional and collegial environment with talented and committed staff and to directly contribute to the Commission’s mission.

On December 20, 2006, President George W. Bush signed into law the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, Public Law 109-435 (PAEA), thereby transforming the Postal Rate Commission into the Postal Regulatory Commission. The PAEA has given the Commission a new mission to ensure transparency and accountability of the United States Postal Service to foster a viable and efficient postal system. The person selected for this position will be a vital contributor to the development of the rules, regulations, and procedures that will help us fulfill our mission.


Duties

You will analyze complex economic and financial data and provides recommendations to Division and Office leadership within the Auditing and Costing Division of the Office of Accountability and Compliance (OAC). Activities include:Analyzing Postal Service and other data, including costing, pricing, and rate design activities. Replicating quantitative analyses in the areas of costing, pricing, and rate design and providing recommendations to the Assistant Director and/or other Commission staff based on findings. Preparing and reviewing written and oral reports based on data analyses. Conducting ongoing analyses of Postal Service performance (e.g., productivity and operations) and drafting reports and/or briefing the Commission on findings. Reviewing and evaluating Postal Service nonpostal services and providing recommendations regarding the public need of the service, the ability of the private sector to meet the public need for the service, and the classification of the service as market dominant, competitive, or experimental products. Analyzing technical components of formal complaints and appeals. Contributing to and reviewing technical components of Postal Service reports, proposals and notices. Responding to special study and/or information requests from Congress, the USPS, mailers, and/or the general public.

 

The individual selected for this position will assist in the establishment and maintenance of rules, regulations and procedures regarding the regulation of rates to be followed by the Postal Service.  You will also be providing expert advice to the Commission on matters pertaining to Postal regulatory policies, including: detailed statistical studies and survey data; cost data and methodologies; databases of service units compiled for specific operations; operational cost models; quantitative and qualitative reports, studies, and surveys outlining the degree of market price and service competition; and other economic evidence and argument pertaining to market power, competitive access, or potential anti-competitive impacts and effects.  If selected for this position, you will execute complex economic analyses to support the recommendations of the Assistant Director and Office Director. 

 

Qualifications and Evaluation

 

You will be evaluated and ranked by a screening panel based on evidence of your ability to successfully perform the duties of the position. The panel will forward the highest ranked candidates to the Office Director for selection.

To be eligible for consideration, you must have experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position.  Typically, experience will be related to this line of work and at a level similar to this position.  You must meet the technical qualifications described below. Please describe your experience relative to the technical qualifications.  We recommend you address each one individually, specifically and completely.  Your application must not exceed 8 typewritten pages and should focus on accomplishments which demonstrate possession of each qualification. 


Mandatory Technical Qualifications

1.  Knowledge in quantitative fields, such as statistics, economics, or finance

2.  Knowledge of performance measurement systems in large organizations

3.  Ability to conduct analysis using Microsoft Excel

4.  Ability to analyze costs and prices in large operations, including return on investment analysis

 

Desirable Educational Qualifications include:

A.  Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in economics or a quantitative field (e.g., mathematics, engineering, business, operations research, science) that included four higher level course in quantitative analysis. 

OR

B. Combination of education and experience--at least 4 years of experience in economics or quantitative area, or an equivalent combination of quantitative analytical experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional economics or quantitative analytical knowledge. Previous education/experience must also include one of the following:

· Four higher level quantitative courses of appropriate type and quality;
or

· Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in economics or quantitative field, e.g., 15 semester hours, but that does not fully satisfy the 4-higher level quantitative course requirement of paragraph A, provided that (a) you have successfully worked at the full-performance level in a quantitative field, (b) a panel of at least two higher level professional economists or analysts in a quantitative field has determined that you have demonstrated a good knowledge of economics or quantitative analysis and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency, and level of advancement that which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in paragraph A; and (c) except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of four higher quantitative courses, your education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.

AND

 

A.   Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in economics or a related degree

OR

B. One year analytical experience equivalent to the GS-11 level. Examples of qualifying specialized experience may include: (1) The analysis of financial data or operating data and preparing written reports describing the findings and conclusions; and (2) Evaluating analyses of financial or operating data.


Benefits and Other Info

Benefits

You may participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, with costs shared with your employer. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#FEHB.

Life insurance coverage is provided. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#life

Long-Term Care Insurance is offered and carries into your retirement. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#ltci

New employees are automatically covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). If you are transferring from another agency and covered by CSRS, you may continue in this program. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#retr

You will earn annual vacation leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#VACA

You will earn sick leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#SKLV

You will be paid for federal holidays that fall within your regularly scheduled tour of duty. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#HOLI

Tele-work / telecommuting may be made available after you have come on board. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#TELE

Alternative work schedule options are available.

If you use public transportation, part of your transportation costs may be subsidized. Our human resources office can provide additional information on how this program is run.

You can use Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts for expenses that are tax-deductible, but not reimbursed by any other source, including out-of-pocket expenses and non-covered benefits under their FEHB plans. More Info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#FSA



Other Information

Financial Disclosure and Position Sensitivity: The individual selected for this position will be required to complete and file a Public Financial Disclosure Report, SF 278, within 45 days after selection for the position. The sensitivity level of the position also requires satisfactory completion of a full background investigation after appointment.

Relocation expenses are not authorized.

You must be a U.S. citizen or national to be eligible for this position.

If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service Law.

The Postal Regulatory Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Selection for this position will be made solely on the basis of merit, fitness for duty, and job related qualifications without regard to race, gender, religion, color, age, marital status, national origin, non-disqualifying handicapping condition, or any other non-merit factor.

Your application includes information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93 579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and its collection is authorized under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, Sections 3302 and 3361.

Applications will not be accepted if you use franked envelopes, or postage paid agency envelopes or metered mail.

Where can I get additional information?

You can get forms and additional information from the Commission’s personnel office at 202-789-6840.

Whom do I contact if I need a reasonable accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact 202-789-6840.  If you have a hearing impairment, you may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 for assistance in contacting the person named above.

Relocation expenses will not be paid by the agency.

How to Apply

 

You may use any written format you choose to apply.  Be sure your application or resume includes all of the items listed in Optional Form 612, Optional Application for Federal Employment (available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/of.htm#of612 ).  If your application/resume does not include the required information, you may lose consideration for the job.

 

We will use your application/resume, educational qualification, technical qualification, and executive core qualifications to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the job for which you qualify.  Please indicate the lowest salary you are willing to accept.  Also, submit:

· Your supplemental narrative statement that provides a description and examples of your accomplishments separately addressing each of the ECQ and Technical Qualifications.  Do not exceed two pages per qualification. 

· A copy of your most recent performance rating of record.

· A list of training completed in the last five years and dates completed.

· A list of awards received in the last 3 years and dates received.

 

We will use your responses to the executive core qualifications, mandatory qualifications, technical qualifications, your performance appraisal, and your history of training and awards to further evaluate your application.

 

Submit application or resume to:

 

  Postal Regulatory Commission

  Attn: Personnel Officer

  Vacancy Number PRC: 04-13M 

  901 New York Avenue, NW – Suite 200

  Washington DC 20628-0001

 

Faxed applications will be accepted. Fax to 202-789-6886. Applications will also be accepted by email at personnel@prc.gov .  All applications must be received no later than May 2, 2008.