Careers at the Economic Research Service

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.

What Are You Waiting For?

Look over the links to the right and apply now!

Are You a Student Looking for an Internship?

ERS hires students under the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP). Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time at an accredited school (high school, technical or vocational school, 2 or 4 year college, university, graduate, or professional school) and be in good academic standing (2.7 GPA or better). Students may work full-time or part-time and appointment may be made at any time during the year. Employment ranges from summer jobs to positions that can last for as long as the student meets program requirements.

Top 10 Reasons To Work at ERS

1. Influence on Policy ERS research and analyses inform policy decisionmakers on current and emerging issues facing the Nation. ERS professionals gain exposure to the policy process and participate in development and analysis of a number of Federal Government surveys.

2. The ERS Team Thrive in a collegial, supportive environment, and work with some of the top economists and social scientists in their fields. You’ll conduct independent research and collaborate with professionals from diverse backgrounds.

3. Modern Facilities Work in comfortable, fully equipped offices with a host of amenities, including an auditorium, conference/team rooms, onsite reference center, credit union, health unit, and kitchenettes. The building also offers free access to an exercise room.

4. State-of-the-Art Support You’ll benefit from access to software, inhouse databases, models, and GIS resources, as well as major journals and bibliographic databases. Onsite HELP desk and IT specialists maintain our high-speed network and tailored applications; and our communication and design specialists help develop, edit, and disseminate your work.

5. The Capital City …Ahhh the Nation’s capital! Our centrally located offices are surrounded by major universities, Federal agencies, Capitol Hill, and kindred institutions like the World Bank and National Academy of Sciences. Not to mention the DC area's wealth of cultural attractions: museums, theater, music...and sports.

6. Publish and Flourish Publish your high-quality research in leading academic journals, in ERS’s award-winning Amber Waves magazine, and in the agency's peer-reviewed reports and widely read ERS website.

7. Seminars Abound ERS employees and visiting scholars conduct seminars, ERS hosts conferences on topical issues, and our lecture series has featured Nobel winners and frontrunners.

8. Career Building Take advantage of ERS’s ample opportunities for training and networking, as well as traveling for research, conferences, and presentations.

9. Competitive Salaries and Benefits ERS provides competitive salaries and benefits, including transportation subsidies, flexible work schedules, generous vacation time, and great health coverage and retirement plans.

10. Location, Location, Location Easily accessible by metro and bus, ERS offices are centrally located uptown—in one of Washington’s largest concentrations of arts and cultural resources, restaurants, shops, exercise facilities, and other amenities.

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.