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!
Apply Now!
See our latest vacancy announcements
ASSA Job Market Candidates
If you would like to be considered for a virtual informational interview at ERS, please send the following to sarah.king3@usda.gov with the subject line “ASSA Candidate – Name”:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Writing sample
- List of three references with contact information
Candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. Please note, you must apply through the USAJobs links provided in our vacancy announcements in order to be formally considered for any permanent positions at ERS. However, we will also conduct virtual informational interviews for candidates who would like to learn more about ERS, as would have done had the ASSA meetings been held in-person.
ERS Virtual Career Expo
On April 28, 2020, ERS and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) hosted a Virtual Career Expo. If you missed it please check out the recordings below:
- Main Session Part 1 - Welcome and ERS Introduction
- Main Session Part 2 - NIFA with Questions & Answers
- Main Session Part 3 - USDA Human Resources and Breakout Sessions Information
Breakout Sessions for NIFA and ERS Virtual Career Expo:
- NIFA Grants Management
- NIFA Program Specialist
- ERS Administrative and Technical Positions
- ERS Economist Positions
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.
Are You a Student Looking for an Internship?
The 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.
Current Employment Opportunities
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.
E-Verify-In accordance with U.S. law, REE Agencies may only employ individuals who can legally work in the United States. E-Verify is the web-based system used by employers to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees. The system electronically matches information provided by employees on the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, against records available to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).