International Trade Specialist Department of Agriculture 897 reviews - Washington, DC $56,233 - $106,012 a year - Full-time, Part-time Duties Summary The incumbent of this position serves as an International Trade Specialist for the Office of Country and Regional Affairs (OCRA). You will coordinate input from stakeholders to prepare appropriate policy analysis and country/regional strategies for achieving agency objectives within your area of responsibility. You will organize country team meetings, and formulate longer-term strategies for addressing outstanding trade policy issues for agricultural and food products. You will work effectively with other FAS program areas, other USDA agencies, and other USG agencies to ensure analyses and strategies meet Agency, Departmental, and USG objectives. You will monitor trade policy issues for agricultural and food products and overseas markets. You will be responsible for developing country strategies and recommending revisions to adapt to changing market situations. You will provide proposed policy changes to senior USDA officials for guidance through oral or written briefings. Salary Information: First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range. Responsibilities The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: * Working as a member of a team or independently, identify and synthesize pertinent information on political, economic and agricultural situations in foreign countries based on continuous research, analysis and evaluation of information from a range of sources. * Plan, prepare and support USDA and FAS executive level meetings and travel, including briefing materials that may require extensive preparation. * Serve as a FAS contact to respond to a wide range of questions from other U.S. government agencies, foreign embassies and businesses seeking information relative to agricultural trade in the international market. * Lead country team meetings with participants from FAS program areas, overseas staff and relevant USDA agencies. * Guide the development and implementation of country strategies; analyze key trade and competitiveness issues; and contribute to significant agency policies, decisions, and determinations to accomplish the agency mission to expand and maintain international market opportunities for U.S. agriculture. * Perform specialized studies and program and policy support, and coordinate support for U.S. foreign and national security policy through evaluation of country strategy proposals. * Develop broad expertise in the countries you cover that encompasses an understanding of economic, political, social and demographic trends to develop sound strategic objectives for U.S. agricultural and food exports. Travel Required Occasional travel - Both domestic and international travel may be required. Supervisory status No Promotion Potential 12 Who May Apply This job is open to US Citizens and Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required. Questions? This job is open to 1 group. * Job family (Series) 1140 Trade Specialist Similar jobs * Marketing Specialists * Specialists, Marketing * Requirements Requirements Conditions of Employment * US Citizenship is required * Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Special Conditions: * Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation. * Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance. * Position may be eligible for telework. Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including the following specialized experience and/or education, as identified by grade level. FOR THE GS-9 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-7 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: * Performing analysis of trade and marketing data and information; compiling data for and preparing reports on international trade issues; or other similar experience in international trade, marketing or agricultural business. OR master's or equivalent graduate degree in marketing, business administration, political science, public administration, history, business or commercial law, economics, finance, international trade, or international relations or directly related field or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-9 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: * Working as a specialist that required knowledge of one or more aspects of U.S. and foreign trade: performing research and evaluation of trade data and information; summarizing and/or providing advice on trade and/or international agricultural policies and programs. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in marketing, business administration, political science, public administration, history, business or commercial law, economics, finance, international trade, or international relations or directly related field or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: * Working as a trade specialist and applying a high degree of technical skill, knowledge, and judgment pertaining to domestic and international trade laws and/or policies, international agricultural trade functions and services, and/or statutory provisions. (Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.) TRANSCRIPTS are required if you are qualifying for the position based on education or qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09/11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. To learn more about combining education and experience for this series, click the following: Combining Education and Experience for Administrative and Management Positions Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Additional information * Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible see https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ . To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. * More than one selection may be made if another vacancy occurs within 90 days of the issuance of the certification of eligibles. The additional selection(s) may be made from other division(s) not listed in the vacancy announcement. * Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDAs TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). * Direct Deposit Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing. * E-Verify: Federal law requires agencies to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. If you are selected as a newly hired employee, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS E-VERIFY system. Under the system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment. * It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. See more information at: http://www.chcoc.gov/transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=6465 How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures using category rating. The category rating procedure is used to rank and select eligible candidates. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined on applicants' quality of experience and the extend they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies: * Analysis of Technical and Policy Level Information * Knowledge of U.S. programs, policies, and international trade rules * Influencing/Negotiating * Written and Oral Communication and Interpersonal Skills Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Note : If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to and including removal from the Federal Service. To view the application form, visit: https://fas.usda.ntis.gov/cp/?event=jobs.previewApplication&jobid=6C4448D4-9CD2-469F-9ABD-A8DD008E56B9 Background checks and security clearance Security clearance Secret * Required Documents Required Documents The following documents are required for your application to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in mail service, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration. * Resume that includes the following information: 1) job information for which you are applying; 2) personal information; 3) education; 4) work experience including the work schedule and hours worked per week as well as dates of employment; and title, series and grade if applicable; 5) supervisors phone number for each work period listed and whether or not we may contact them for reference checks; and, 6) other qualifications.