The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission) is a great place to work, and we aren't the only ones who think so. We were rated "Most Improved Small Agency" in 2013 by the Partnership for Public Service and ranked 6th overall in the 2016 Best Places to Work Index.
An independent Federal agency, the Commission provides the President and Congress with high-quality analysis and technical support on international trade, tariff and competitiveness issues; hears and decides import injury cases and publishes the United States' tariff schedule. You will find a working environment throughout the Commission that is dedicated to the development of your technical skills and a commitment to provide balance between your work and personal life.
The position is located in the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), Office of External Relations. The successful candidate for this position is someone with significant Capitol Hill experience who has worked with or as Committee staff and/ or as staff of a Member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, the Senate Finance Committee, the House or Senate Committee on Appropriations, or other relevant Congressional committees. This is not an entry level position. The ideal candidate will have significant knowledge of the operations and dynamics of legislative activities, international trade knowledge and/or experience, knowledge of economics, knowledge of the appropriations and budget process, bipartisan relationships, and significant professional experience interacting with members of Congress and their staffs. This position also requires the ability to think strategically and express advice clearly in both written and verbal communications. Moreover, this position requires discretion and an even-handed approach in dealing with all Congressional Committees and Members in a non-partisan manner, so the ideal candidate is someone who has outstanding judgment and bipartisan respect.
Summary
The U.S. International Trade Commission (Commission) is a great place to work, and we aren't the only ones who think so. We were rated "Most Improved Small Agency" in 2013 by the Partnership for Public Service and ranked 6th overall in the 2016 Best Places to Work Index.
An independent Federal agency, the Commission provides the President and Congress with high-quality analysis and technical support on international trade, tariff and competitiveness issues; hears and decides import injury cases and publishes the United States' tariff schedule. You will find a working environment throughout the Commission that is dedicated to the development of your technical skills and a commitment to provide balance between your work and personal life.
The position is located in the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), Office of External Relations. The successful candidate for this position is someone with significant Capitol Hill experience who has worked with or as Committee staff and/ or as staff of a Member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, the Senate Finance Committee, the House or Senate Committee on Appropriations, or other relevant Congressional committees. This is not an entry level position. The ideal candidate will have significant knowledge of the operations and dynamics of legislative activities, international trade knowledge and/or experience, knowledge of economics, knowledge of the appropriations and budget process, bipartisan relationships, and significant professional experience interacting with members of Congress and their staffs. This position also requires the ability to think strategically and express advice clearly in both written and verbal communications. Moreover, this position requires discretion and an even-handed approach in dealing with all Congressional Committees and Members in a non-partisan manner, so the ideal candidate is someone who has outstanding judgment and bipartisan respect.
The USITC Congressional Relations Officer ("CRO") informs and advises the Commission and its staff about Congressional activities, and is responsible for the provision of agency services to Congressional Committees and Members. The CRO acts as spokesperson for and principal advisor to the Commission on Congressional Relations issues. These issues may be characterized by one or more of the following: (1) extremely complex and difficult factual and analytic or legislative matters requiring the incumbent to navigate in a politically sensitive legislative environment requiring a high degree of original creative endeavor and tactical prowess to obtain a result; (2) more routine activities, some of which are high volume and highly detailed; (3) matters that can have the effect of substantially increasing or lessening the workload of the agency; and (4) matters involving, directly or indirectly, significant budget amounts and agency resources. The incumbent is also responsible for maintaining effective working relationships with the appropriate Congressional Committees' and Members' staffs, and with agency staff. The CRO advises the Commission and its staff on the appropriate vehicle to communicate with Congressional personnel in any given situation to achieve satisfaction for the Congressional Committees and Members and optimum results for the Commission.
Ability to obtain and maintain a background investigation
You are required to serve a one-year trial period.
You may be required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement.
All qualifications and time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants must have the general and specialized experience outlined below which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.
To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level obtained in the Congressional, federal agency, or private sector which demonstrates experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position being filled.
Specialized experience is having demonstrated expertise in providing significant advice and having substantial interaction with Congressional Committees and Members and with their staffs on a diverse range of matters including international trade, economics, and appropriations and budget issues. Demonstrated expertise with Congressional Rules and procedures, the Congressional appropriations process, and legislative dynamics. The ability to identify issues of sensitivity to the organization, Congress, or both and present then concisely is paramount.
Education
Submit a copy of your transcript(s) or list of courses with credit hours, major(s) and grade-point average or class ranking. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials: http://www.naces.org/members.htm.
Additional information
1. If you are a male applicant who was born after December 31, 1959, you are required to certify that you are registered with the Selective Service or are exempt under Selective Service regulations. For additional information concerning Selective Service requirements, please visit www.sss.gov.
2. Time period to meet qualifications: All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
3. Verification of information: Any information claimed on your resume and in application materials, such as education, credentials and employment history will be verified as part of the security clearance process.
4. Excepted service appointments: This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer rights to permanent Civil Service status.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
Expert knowledge of Congressional Rules and procedures, and dynamics of the legislative process
Experience serving in a senior capacity on a Congressional Committee's and/or Member's staff
Experience in a senior capacity in a Federal Congressional Relations Office or equivalent experience
Ability to analyze and interpret information in order to respond to Congressional inquiries
Experience serving as an advisor to high level management officials
Skill in oral and written communication
Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience(s) and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. In order to fully evaluate your application and receive proper credit, your resume should include: (1) paid and non-paid experience, job title, dates held (month and year for qualifying purposes to receive credit), number of hours worked per week, and salary (2) knowledge of the subject matter and technical skills pertinent to this position; (3) specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work; and (4) names and phone numbers of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this job opportunity announcement for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. This information should be clearly identified in your resume.
We will evaluate your relevant education and/or work experience as they relate to the competencies, knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) mentioned above. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Based on the results of this evaluation, you will be placed in one of the following categories:
Best: Placement in this category indicates you have the type and quality of experience and/or education that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s). Better: Placement in this category indicates you have the type and quality of experience and/or education that exceed the minimum qualifications of the position. Good: Placement in this category, it indicates you meet the minimum qualifications and/or education of the position and are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the position. You may require extensive training and/or orientation in order to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position.
Candidates in the Best category will be the first ones sent to the hiring manager for interview consideration. Your resume, and supporting documentation for education, should contain sufficient information for us to make a valid determination that you fully meet the qualification requirements for this vacancy. We do not make inferences and can only consider the information you provide to us. Insufficient resumes and application packages will result in loss of consideration.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
1. Resume - your resume or any other written format you choose should contain the required information as specified in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. Insufficient information will result in an ineligible rating.
2. Occupational Questionnaire - a completed job-specific occupational questionnaire submitted through your Application Manager account or faxed via the methods outlined in the How to Apply section.
3. Transcripts - if there are mandatory education requirements listed under the Qualifications and Evaluations section, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript(s) with your application. If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment.
4. SF-50 - current or former Federal employees must submit a copy of an SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action," which documents your highest permanent grade/step/salary held.
5. Performance Appraisal - if you're a current federal employee, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal. If you do not have one, you must submit a statement indicating your reason for not being able to submit one.
6. Veterans' Preference Documentation - veterans who are preference eligibles OR who have been separated from the Armed Forces under honorable conditions (honorable or general discharge) after 3 or more years of continuous active service may apply under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA). You must submit a DD-214 (Member Copy 4 is preferable) showing the dates you served as well as your type of discharge and qualifying service campaign medals OR if you are still on active duty, you MUST submit a statement of service from your command/unit, which states the date you entered active duty, your expected discharge type and date, and the campaign medals you have received that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
If you're currently serving on Active Duty: submit a statement of service from your unit identifying the branch of service, period(s) of service, campaign badges or expeditionary medals earned, type of discharge, character of service, and the date you will be separated or be on approved terminal leave. If you supply a statement of service at this stage, your preference/eligibility will be verified by a DD214 (Member 4 Copy) upon separation from the military.
Current federal employees applying under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) must submit a qualifying SF-50 to show you meet time-in-grade requirements.
To gain access to your DD214 online, please visit: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/.
7. Non-competitive eligibles - must submit proof of eligibility (i.e., SF-50 documenting the full performance level of a position held on a permanent basis).
8. If you are applying under a special hiring authority you MUST submit proof of eligibility with your application. For information related to special hiring authorities for veterans visit: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx.
For information related to special hiring authorities for severely disabled persons visit: http://www.opm.gov/disability/PeopleWithDisabilities.asp.
9. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles - you must submit the following documents:
- a copy of your agency notice; and
- a copy of your most recent performance rating; and
- a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 06/09/2017 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.
3. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
4. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Office of External Relations
500 E St SW
Washington, DC 20436
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.
To check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the More Information link under the application status for this position.
You will be notified up to four times during the hiring process:
Upon receipt of your application
Upon minimum qualifications determination
After candidates have been referred to the hiring official
Once a selection has been made
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
1. Resume - your resume or any other written format you choose should contain the required information as specified in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. Insufficient information will result in an ineligible rating.
2. Occupational Questionnaire - a completed job-specific occupational questionnaire submitted through your Application Manager account or faxed via the methods outlined in the How to Apply section.
3. Transcripts - if there are mandatory education requirements listed under the Qualifications and Evaluations section, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript(s) with your application. If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment.
4. SF-50 - current or former Federal employees must submit a copy of an SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action," which documents your highest permanent grade/step/salary held.
5. Performance Appraisal - if you're a current federal employee, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal. If you do not have one, you must submit a statement indicating your reason for not being able to submit one.
6. Veterans' Preference Documentation - veterans who are preference eligibles OR who have been separated from the Armed Forces under honorable conditions (honorable or general discharge) after 3 or more years of continuous active service may apply under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA). You must submit a DD-214 (Member Copy 4 is preferable) showing the dates you served as well as your type of discharge and qualifying service campaign medals OR if you are still on active duty, you MUST submit a statement of service from your command/unit, which states the date you entered active duty, your expected discharge type and date, and the campaign medals you have received that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
If you're currently serving on Active Duty: submit a statement of service from your unit identifying the branch of service, period(s) of service, campaign badges or expeditionary medals earned, type of discharge, character of service, and the date you will be separated or be on approved terminal leave. If you supply a statement of service at this stage, your preference/eligibility will be verified by a DD214 (Member 4 Copy) upon separation from the military.
Current federal employees applying under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) must submit a qualifying SF-50 to show you meet time-in-grade requirements.
To gain access to your DD214 online, please visit: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/.
7. Non-competitive eligibles - must submit proof of eligibility (i.e., SF-50 documenting the full performance level of a position held on a permanent basis).
8. If you are applying under a special hiring authority you MUST submit proof of eligibility with your application. For information related to special hiring authorities for veterans visit: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx.
For information related to special hiring authorities for severely disabled persons visit: http://www.opm.gov/disability/PeopleWithDisabilities.asp.
9. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles - you must submit the following documents:
- a copy of your agency notice; and
- a copy of your most recent performance rating; and
- a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 06/09/2017 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.
3. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
4. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Office of External Relations
500 E St SW
Washington, DC 20436
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.
To check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the More Information link under the application status for this position.
You will be notified up to four times during the hiring process:
Upon receipt of your application
Upon minimum qualifications determination
After candidates have been referred to the hiring official
Once a selection has been made
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
