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Trade Specialist

Department of Commerce
Commerce, International Trade Administration
Global markets
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Old Westbury, New York. The incumbent will assume increasing responsibilities as part of a team for analytical work addressing critical international trade issues, U.S. business exports, reverse investment facilitation, and/or new trade development initiatives in key industries and world regions.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
06/08/2021 to 06/29/2021
Salary
$61,742 to - $97,118 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Location
Old Westbury, NY
Few vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
ST-11127547-DC
Control number
603876000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Status Candidates (this includes current or former Federal employees with career or career-conditional tenure in the competitive service; Former Overseas Employees, CTAP, ICTAP, VRA, VEOA, 30% or More Disabled Veterans, Schedule A, Military Spouses, Americorps, Peace Corps, Vista and Interchange Agreement Eligibles)

Duties

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  • Assists with the planning and coordination of activities of the office.
  • Conducts market research and disseminates trade information and materials on government products and services to U.S. businesses and associates.
  • Counsels current and potential U.S. exporters to meet client export market development objectives.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
  • A probationary period may be required.
  • If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • Bargaining Unit Position: No
  • Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid.
  • You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable. (www.sss.gov)

Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Minimum Qualification requirements as noted below.

Specialize Experience
GS-09:
You qualify for the GS-09 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal government, performing the following duties:

  • Negotiating strategies, and developing and disseminating trade information to U.S. businesses or associations; and
  • Performing U.S. export facilitation, foreign direct investment promotion, trade promotion through trade-policy analysis, the resolution of trade barriers, and negotiations.
OR a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree international policy, international commerce, international management, intercultural relations, international development, global economy, government and foreign affairs, international business, international trade, international economics, international affairs, international relations, or other related fields of study.

GS-11: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal government, performing the following duties:
  • Working with export/import processes, foreign direct investment promotion, trade finance practices, U.S. and foreign statutory and regulatory provisions;
  • Analyzing economic data to develop economic and trade policy priorities to support policy recommendations, and program development; and
  • Negotiating strategies, and developing and disseminating trade information to U.S. businesses or associations.
OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree international policy, international commerce, international management, intercultural relations, international development, global economy, government and foreign affairs, international business, international trade, international economics, international affairs, international relations, or other related fields of study.

NOTE(s):
  • Education: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial) to document education.
  • Experience: Your resume must support your claim of experience or you may be found ineligible.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

Time-in-Grade Requirements:
Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one), "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).

NOTE: 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. For work in the federal service, include the grade level for the position(s).

Career Transition Assistance Program: This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp

Education

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Commerce requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for Moderate Risk clearance as a condition of placement in this Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS) position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

The physical worksite for this position is located in Old Westbury, New York. However, the Global Markets is currently under a maximum telework posture due to the COVID-19 pandemic; therefore, this position is currently under a 100 percent telework schedule. The position's telework schedule will likely change in the future when Global Markets moves away from its maximum telework posture. At that time, the incumbent will be expected to report to the physical work site in accordance with the updated status requirements of their supervisor. The nature and scope of future telework opportunities will be subject to the unit's telework policy, any applicable bargaining unit agreements, and supervisory approval. Payment of relocation expenses, as applicable, will be paid in accordance with this Job Opportunity Announcement. Non-compliance with the supervisor's telework-schedule requirement could result in adverse action, including separation.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions (you must submit a DD214-member copy 4).

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview. The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

  • Ability to counsel U.S. exporters or promote U.S. goods or services overseas.
  • Knowledge of export marketing and promotion; foreign trade practices; government international programs and policies.
  • Ability to conduct international business research and analyze foreign market data for the benefit of U.S. companies.
  • Ability to coordinate public and private sector organizations or government agencies to develop a common agenda, policies, and programs.

Based on your responses, you will receive a score from the Assessment Questionnaire. Those applicants who meets or exceeds the cut-off score will be referred to the hiring manager and may be called for an interview. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you will be removed from consideration or your score will be lowered.

Due Weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager.

For Competitive Merit Promotion and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Applicants: The highest rated candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.

For Noncompetitive Appointment Eligibles: All qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.

To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11127547

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