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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SPECIALIST

Department of Defense
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/07/2024 to 03/20/2024
Salary
$99,200 to - $153,354 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Fort Belvoir, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - 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
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
DTRA-24-12341786-MP
Control number
780404800

Duties

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As a INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SPECIALIST at the GS-0131-12/13 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Serves as a key Building Partner Capacity Interagency Liaison specialist providing professional level support and advice to the OB Director, the Chiefs of the Integration and Initiatives (IN) and Building Partner Capacity (BP) Departments as appropriate regarding DoD implementation of Building Partner Capacity activities; interprets and disseminates all implementing guidance received from the responsible offices within USG and DTRA with regard to Building Partner Capacity and Security Cooperation; ensures that executive decisions are understood and carried out according to the direction received.
  • Conducts original research and collects information, to include historical data, and performs in-depth analyses; identifies and defines issues; conceptualizes alternative solutions; recommends courses of action or options available; prepares a variety of reports, memorandums, staff studies, and talking papers for Directorate leadership and appropriate representatives of external organizations including key policy-making officials; develops and staffs papers and studies to the Interagency as required.
  • Participates in internal DoD working and ad hoc groups tasked with coordinating and resolving specific issues related to standardized and efficient planning, preparation, and execution of DoD Building Partner Capacity activities; ensures closest liaison with OB operational elements on matters of Building Partner Capacity implementation and execution; represents the Building partner Capacity Department and the OB Directorate at various domestic and international fora, including working groups, plenaries, and workshops.
  • Oversees and monitors the development and execution of the USG plan for all CWMD Building Partner Capacity mission activities and expenditures; provides technical advice, assistance, and rationale regarding the negotiation, implementation, and evaluation processes in order to assist policy-making officials in the development, interpretation, clarification, and support or defense of Agency, DoD, or national positions; interacts with operational implementers to ensure policy guidance is effectively conveyed, enabling successful implementation and evaluation.
  • Maintains a close working relationship with the Building Partner Capacity Department to manage the operational planning process for Partner Nation train and equipping engagements; formulates, coordinates, presents and defends the Agency position on implementation of the Building Partner Capacity engagements to the Joint Staff, the Intelligence Community, the National Security Council (NSC), State Department, Under Secretary of Defense (Policy Homeland Defense and Global Security (USD (HD& GS), and the other agencies/entities both within and external to the DoD; works with all Service components.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Work Schedule: Full Time
  • Overtime: Occasionally; 10%
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized; https://www.dtra.mil/Careers-Opportunities/DTRA-Opportunities/
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Not Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible on a situational basis
  • This is a designated drug testing position
  • Must be able to obtain/maintain Top Secret/SCI clearance
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid passport
  • Position may entail 25% traveling, both domestic and international, for extended periods of time. Travel outside the local area, to include periods outside the United States and performance as an escort in a field environment, may be required.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-12, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service:

  • Applying knowledge of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, Dept of State Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS), Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), and/or other inter-agency or international organizations in relation to Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD);
  • Working on National and DoD CWMD Policy and Doctrine and the National Security Council (NSC) inter-agency process, and;
  • Assisting in developing and presenting CWMD policy, strategies, plans, operations, and mission briefs in order to inform and advise senior level United States Government (USG) and partner nation representatives on subjects relating to Building Partner Capacity.
You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service:
  • Working with OSD, Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, Dept of State (EXBS), DSCA, and/or other inter-agency organizations or in-depth experience working with international organizations to analyze CWMD policy;
  • Using knowledge of National and DoD CWMD Policy and Doctrine and the NSC inter-agency process in order to effectively evaluate and develop methods for improving program effectiveness;
  • Developing and presenting authoritative CWMD policy, strategies, plans, operations, and mission briefs in order to inform and advise senior level USG and partner nation representatives on subjects relating to Building Partner Capacity, and;
  • Applying knowledge of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear material programs, precursors, weapons, proliferation networks, employment, and consequence management in order to develop strategic priorities for Building Partner Capacity mission areas.
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.

In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 0131 series.
  1. Degree: major or equivalent, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours in international law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; or 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics/quantitative methods.

    or

  2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in one or more of the social sciences, or in the humanities, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

    or

  3. Experience: four years of appropriate experience in one or more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs.


*NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims.

All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

Foreign education may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses.

Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable.

When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities. For further information, visit: Foreign Education

Additional information

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA):
To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are claiming military spouse preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed below preference eligible veteran candidates and above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the "Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP)" eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant. Information and required documentation for claiming MSP may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below. To be eligible as a RGP, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application package: a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 (whs.mil)); a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:
Persons with Disabilities - Schedule A
Special Hiring Authority for Veterans
Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
Other Special Appointment Authorities - Subpart F

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/register/)

For more information, please visit
https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d

Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire. 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. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Competencies:

  • Conceptualization and Communication Skills
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Technical Knowledge and Expertise


Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the "Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP)" eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant. Information and required documentation for claiming MSP may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below. To be eligible as a RGP, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application package: a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 (whs.mil)); a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.

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