Careers at ERS

Do You Want a Job with a Competitive Salary, Great Benefits, and Job Security?

USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) is actively seeking economic researchers and social science analysts!

What You Can Expect Working at ERS

Join a great team of renowned experts working on topics of national importance and affect policy decisions made at the highest levels of government! ERS researchers conduct timely, policy-relevant research on such issues as childhood obesity, global food security, health and nutrition, climate change, bioenergy, and food safety.

At ERS you'll find satisfaction in conducting independent and collaborative research on issues that matter, and a challenging environment in which to continue your professional career. You will partner with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and interact with other professionals through team projects, seminars, and collaboration with peers in academia, government, and other organizations. ERS researchers have access to robust data and state of the art technology, and publish in a broad array of academic journals and other high-quality publications.

Our management team strives for excellence in the workplace. In the 2008 ERS organizational survey, employees ranked ERS high in: job satisfaction, effective leadership, strategic management, teamwork, and training and development.

What You Can Expect as a Federal Employee

The Federal Government pays well and offers great benefits. As an ERS employee you will receive 11 paid holidays and 13 paid vacation days in the first year. Our life and health insurance benefits and our flexible spending account options often exceed those offered by private industry. Flexible schedules and teleworking opportunities allow you to maintain a work-life balance rarely found elsewhere. You will also get 401(k)-like retirement benefits that will transfer throughout your career.

Apply Now!

See our latest vacancy announcements.

Are You a Student Looking for an Internship?

The new Pathways Program is designed to provide the student with the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities while being employed in the Federal government. The Pathways Program consists of three categories: internship, recent graduate, and the Presidential Fellows Management programs. Each program is unique and they all provide development experience in conjunction with former education. The student can determine which program best suits their interest and/or skills and abilities.

In the Internship Program, ERS hires students for summer internship positions during the summer. The summer internship program provides paid opportunities for the student to work full-time or half-time until September 30th. A student must be enrolled full-time or half-time at an accredited school (high school, technical or vocational school, 2 or 4 year college, university, graduate, or professional school) and is in good academic standing (2.0 GPA or better). All student positions are advertised via usajobs.gov. The student must submit all required documents via usajobs.gov. 

Top 10 Reasons To Work at ERS

ERS Work Environment

Current Employment Opportunities

Salary and Benefits


USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

EEO/No FEAR-Equal Employment Opportunity data posted pursuant to the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (No FEAR Act), Public Law 107-174.