Position Summary:
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.
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.
Key Responsibilities:
- Obtaining voluntary cooperation from survey respondents.
- Collecting and entering data on a handheld computer.
- 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.
- Traveling to a field office for on-the-job training and periodic meetings.
- Contacting homeowners, renters, and apartment management companies by personal visit to neighborhoods and follow up telephone interviews.
Required Education & Experience:
- Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
- Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.
- Requires a probationary period.
- Requires a valid drivers license.
- 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 level.