FINANCIAL ECONOMIST

FINANCIAL ECONOMIST

Department: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

Location(s): San Francisco, California, Washington, District of Columbia, Chicago, Illinois, Fort Worth, Texas

Salary Range: $144037 - $280610 Per Year

Job Summary: These positions may be filled in either the Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) or the Office of Litigation Economics (OLE). Both offices perform economic analysis in support of the agency's mission; however, the specific duties of the position differ depending on the office in which the selection is made. The duties for each office are described separately below.

Major Duties:

• Responsibilities: Office of Economic Analysis: Performing economic analysis of the benefits and costs of a SEC rule or policy, including the effects on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. Authoring economic analyses of SEC rules and policies, which incorporate research and comments by academics, lawyers, market participants, and other experts. Applying advanced economic concepts and methods to the analysis of the economic effects of a SEC rule or policy, including by leveraging economics related to corporate issuers, brokers, dealers, exchanges, asset managers, or other financial intermediaries. Conducting statistical analyses, including sensitivity analysis, that inform on the economic effects of a SEC rule or policy, and quantifying these effects where feasible. Planning, prioritizing, and adapting tasks when performing an economic analysis to meet timelines. Working flexibly within multi-disciplinary teams that include finance lawyers and policy experts, and demonstrating ability to communicate economics within such teams. Office of Litigation Economics: Conducting economic analyses to evaluate specific violations of securities laws, including assessing stock-market impacts, measuring investor harm, and quantifying ill-gotten gains. Using statistical software and programming languages to analyze complex datasets for evidence of stock-price manipulation, insider trading, biased trade allocations, and other forms of misconduct. Researching emerging analytical techniques and developing sophisticated empirical methodologies that strengthen enforcement recommendations and inform investigative strategy. Providing objective and credible expert-witness testimony in litigation by presenting intricate economic concepts and analytical methods in an impartial and accessible manner. Preparing written reports and presentations that communicate complex economic findings to enforcement attorneys, investigative staff, and senior leadership. Prioritizing and coordinating multiple projects to ensure timely completion of economic analyses while adapting to evolving investigative needs, tight deadlines, and shifting enforcement priorities.

Qualifications: All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Qualifying education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants are responsible for confirming all required materials are submitted by the deadline. Please check the 'How You Will Be Evaluated' and 'Required Documents' sections carefully, as missing documents will render the application incomplete and ineligible for review. BASIC REQUIREMENT: A. Applicants must possess a degree in economics that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. --OR-- B. An appropriate combination of education and experience----courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Examples of qualifying experience include individual economic research assignments requiring planning, information assembly, analysis and evaluation, conclusions and report preparation; supervisory or project coordination assignments involving a staff of professional economists, and requiring the evaluation and interpretation of economic information; or teaching assignments in a college or university in economic subjects in combination with one of the following: (1) personal research that produced evidence of results, (2) direction of graduate theses in economics, or (3) service as a consultant or advisor on technical economics problems. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-13 providing economic analysis which includes at least one of the following: Success in conducting research in financial economics or industrial organization that is of comparable quality to peer-reviewed academic journals. Experience conducting economic analysis for use in federal courts, regulatory actions, or settlements, including the quantification of damages, ill-gotten gains, or harm to investors. Experience in analyzing the costs and benefits of regulations in financial markets, including effects on market efficiency, competition, and capital formation.

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-25