Clarification from the agency

This position is being advertised through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Direct-Hire Authority and is open to all U.S. citizens. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking and veterans' preference procedures do not apply. All applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration.

The incumbent will serve as International Trade Specialist within Industry and Analysis. The primary purpose of this position is to perform industry and trade analysis and outreach in support of ITA's work in various sectors. This position prepares written and data reports on various industries and sectors, and participates in engagement with industry stakeholders.

As a International Trade Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• Coordinate program specific activities and serves as liaison to stakeholders, internal experts and partners, including industry and trade associations, to facilitate exports, inward investment attraction and decision-making on trade policy issues.
• Analyze and evaluate problems, data and information on policy and trade promotion issues affecting U.S. industry competitiveness in a global setting to support policy recommendations and informed decision-making by senior leadership and industry partners.
• Assist current and potential U.S. exporters and investors with navigating challenges to doing business in a global setting including trade barriers affecting exports or investments abroad and supply chain constraints.
• Assists with international negotiations and policy initiatives, policy developments and activities designed to ensure sound policy and competitive environment for U.S. industry.

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 of possession of drugs.
• A probationary period may be required.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/).
• 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.
• Security Clearance: You will be required to obtain and retain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• Drug Test: Yes. Employee of this position is subject to random drug testing. Employee must pass urinalysis testing prior to appointment and periodically thereafter.
• License required: No
• Pre-employment physical required: No
• Bargaining Unit Position: No
• Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): No
• Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: will not be paid

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.

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.

Individual Occupational Requirements

Education

Undergraduate Education: Major study -- global business management, global public policy, international finance, business administration, textile and apparel studies, political science, economics, marketing, international trade, international business, international affairs, international relations, international economics, or other related fields of study.

Graduate Education: Major study -- 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.

or

Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Experience that demonstrated the application of knowledge of international economic and political factors influencing the flow of goods and services between countries; the impact of government policies and regulations, business conditions, and market structures on international competitiveness; or of problems and techniques relating to the sales and marketing of goods and services in world markets.

To qualify for the GS-9:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Performing data analysis of international trade and/or marketing data and information.
• Compiling economic data and preparing reports on international trade markets and programs.
• Establishing and maintaining partnerships with public, private, academic, and multinational direct investment leaders.

-OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if related

-OR-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:combination of experience and education as described above that equates to one year of experience.

To qualify for the GS-11:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Performing research in multiple areas, i.e., international trade, U.S. export facilitation, foreign direct investment promotion, trade promotion, trade-policy analysis, the resolution of trade barriers, and/or negotiations.
• Developing and coordinating logistical and technical details for international trade, marketing, or development programs.
• Coordinating program specific-activities and serving as a point-of-contact, or liaison to internal and external stakeholders.
• Summarizing and providing advice on international trade policies and programs.

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related

-OR-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:combination of experience and education as described above that equates to one year of experience.

To qualify for the GS-12:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Performing research in multiple areas, i.e., international trade, U.S. export facilitation, foreign direct investment promotion, trade promotion, trade-policy analysis, the resolution of trade barriers, and/or negotiations.
• Making recommendations based on empirical trade information with interpretation and prediction of influences of economic, market, political events.
• Developing strategies for U.S. business facilitation, trade and investment promotion initiatives, and global trade-policy positions.
• Drafting, summarizing, and providing recommendations on international trade policies and programs.
• Briefing senior-level management on logistical and technical details for trade, marketing, or development programs.

This position will remain open until 09/25/2023. The initial cut-off date is 04/24/2023. Applicants may receive consideration prior to the initial cut-off date, as requested by the organization, as well as on the following cut-off dates specified below. Applicants found eligible and referred on a cut-off date, or the date requested by the organization, will continue to be referred on subsequent cut-off dates:

• 05/23/2023
• 06/23/2023
• 07/24/2023
• 08/23/2023
• 09/25/2023

Cutoff dates and the closing date of this announcement may be adjusted as needed, and any updates will be reflected on this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

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

Your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the position. Under the provisions of the Direct-Hire Authority (DHA), rating, ranking and veterans' preference does not apply; therefore, your responses to the questionnaire will not be used to determine a scored rating. All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as defined in the job opportunity announcement, will be referred for selection consideration. While veterans' preference does not apply in DHA, preference eligibles are encouraged to submit their supporting documentation (DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.) .

Applicants applying as CTAP or ICTAP candidates, and are determined CTAP or ICTAP eligible, must exceed the minimum qualification requirements to be referred under this selection priority placement program by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. For those deemed eligible and who meet the minimum qualifications, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions). Your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles who are not determined well-qualified by scoring at least 85 will not be referred under the CTAP/ICTAP selection priority placement program; however, will be referred for selection consideration with other minimally qualified applicants

• Foreign Market Research
• International Business Management
• Planning and Evaluating
• Economics

• Classified or government sensitive information
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Photos of yourself
• Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.