Economics (Student Trainee)

Make an impact while you learn. The Semester of Service Program offers students a volunteer project-based opportunity to support real Federal missions, gaining hands-on experience and career-ready skills. Students must be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited trade school, technical/vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution. With this project, you'll support research economist by updating the SNAP Distribution Schedule Database

Major duties
Update the ERS SNAP Distribution Schedule Database through 2025 or 2026. Update will be accomplished by using currently publicly available data, including web histories, press releases and news postings.
All updates should be documented in statistical software (R, Python, Stata, or SAS preferred).
Current documentation should reflect (a) the method of update and (b) relevant contents of updates.

Qualifications
Applicants will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs. Specifically, applicants should have experience in: Skills in software program of their choice (e.g., SAS, Stata, Python, Matlab, R), including exporting results in spreadsheet form. Internet search and organizational skills. Familiarity with and ability to work in Excel.

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 résumé 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 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://www.usajobs.gov/), all 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://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status.