Job Estimator Tool (JET) – Lite Version

What is the purpose of the JET Lite?

The JET Lite assists in estimating national, state, and local numbers of jobs for specific DOT occupations.

How does the JET Lite make estimates?

For estimating numbers of jobs in a DOT occupation, the JET Lite modifies national, state, and local data provided from the latest Occupational Employment Survey (OES) conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The employment data from OES cannot be used in raw form because it reports numbers of available jobs for broad occupational groups, which often encompass many DOT occupations. For example, the OES Statistical Group 43-4171, Receptionists and Information Clerks, has 14 associated DOT titles. 

Numbers of jobs derived by the JET Lite depends on a vocational expert’s best estimate of the percent of jobs in an OES Group that are accounted for by a DOT occupation. For example, in the OES group 43-4171 above, there are 14 associated DOT occupations. What percent of the total jobs nationally are likely to be held by Receptionists 237.367-010? After eliminating DOT occupations that either no longer exist, or for which very few jobs are likely, the vocational expert (VE) might conclude that Receptionists (237.367-038), Information Clerks (237.367-022), and Appointment Clerks (237.367-010) equally account for about 75% of the actual jobs in this group. Thus, Receptionists alone would account for about 25% of the total jobs. To make such estimates, the VE must be able to view the crosswalks that associate specific DOT occupations with their corresponding OES groups. The JET provides links to websites that help the user do this. However, crosswalks are also very readily available in some commercial vocational programs. If the user has access to such software, use of such crosswalks will speed up the process.

Once the VE enters the above percent estimates (% OES), and the OES numbers for the broad statistical groups (Nat OES, State OES) in the matrix, the JET Litewill automatically  calculate a series of national and state, for the specific DOT occupation. These numbers represent the total of full and part time jobs. However, the JET Lite also reports data for full time jobs only, based on DOL information on the percent of full time employees in all occupations. The VE has the option of changing that default percent (% FT) based on other known information or estimates.

How long does it take to complete the JET for a DOT occcupation?

After some practice, this is a simple tool to use. Without the use of commercial vocational software, after doing 3-4 occupations, it should take about 3-4 minutes. If using commercial vocational software as a data source, it should take about 2 minutes.

Instructions

General Features

1, Color coded items –

• Fill in items below the red headings.
• Completing items below blue headings is optional. These items provide an opportunity for the VE to modify final figures based on experience or other known factors not accounted for in the objective data.

2. Instructions are embedded in the JET Lite worksheet – Pointing to any heading with a small red triangle to the upper right will give detailed information and instructions regarding data related to that heading.

Detailed Steps for Using the JET Lite

1. Cell A7 – insert the DOT title.
2. Cell B7 – insert the DOT code.
3. Cell C7 – Use the link in C6 (or use commercial software) to find the SOC code and insert.
4. Cell B10 – Find the list of all DOT occupations associated with the OES Statistical Group shown for this DOT title. If you are not using commercial vocational software, click on the link in B9, locate and click on the link for the SOC code you entered in Cell C7. That page will display the associated DOT titles. Make an estimate of the total percent of all jobs in that group that are likely to be accounted for by your DOT title (nationally) and enter the whole number percent (e.g. for 30%, enter 30) For more detailed instructions, point to the %OES heading on the worksheet. 
5. Cells C10, and D10 - Click on the JET Lite spreadsheet heading (i.e.., Nat OES or State OES) to be directed to the corresponding U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) data on the internet (by SOC code). Enter the number of jobs, without commas. The program will insert commas for you. If you are using commercial vocational software, find the national and state employment numbers for the OES Statistical Group shown for this DOT title. Insert the national numbers in C10, and the state numbers in D10. If your version of commercial software does not include the latest OES numbers, you should use the links on the JET. 
6. Cell E10 – Some court testimony, including Social Security, requires use of full time employment data only. The number placed in E10 adjusts total employment figures to full time only. If you wish to change the default percent (83%), type in the new whole number in this cell (e.g., for 50%, type in 50). The default percent represents the average full time rate for all occupations.
7. Reviewing the derived numbers – After going through steps 1-6, the full matrix will be filled in automatically. To clarify the meanings of the data in each column,  point the curser at F12 (National) and F13 (Actual State). 
8. Cells B17 and B18 - Using expert experience, knowledge of job markets, and any other sources, make final modifications (if any) and place the final estimates in these cells.

Sample Worksheet

Click on the “Receptionist” tab at the bottom of the worksheet to view data for a completed sample DOT occupation in Florida.