BLS data must satisfy a number of criteria, including relevance to current social and economic issues, timeliness in reflecting today's rapidly changing economic conditions, accuracy and consistently high statistical quality, impartiality in both subject matter and presentation. The President, the Congress, academia, State and local governments, business, and labor and U.S. citizens obtain information from the BLS about the Nation's economy. These include economists, mathematical statisticians, and computer specialists. D.C. Employees also work in seven regional offices, Boston, New York Region for Economic Analysis and Information, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and San Francisco, and a variety of other locales. Entry level economists in the regional offices perform data collection duties for Price and Compensation Programs or work with State agencies on developing employment statistics.
All positions require some travel, although the amount varies by program and duty station.
All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, creed, color, age, or national origin. Check the Vacancy Announcements you are interested in on the Regional Job Openings for information as to what is required. Agencies may utilize special direct-hire authorities to fill Economist and Computer Specialist positions. Candidates for economist positions must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, which included 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. Yes, but they are limited in the Regional Offices and may not be available at all times.