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International Trade Specialist GS-1140-13

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

Summary

This position is housed within ITA’s unique structure connecting stakeholders, state and local governments, and U.S. businesses to a network of headquarters, domestic and international offices collaborating directly with U.S. businesses worldwide to advocate and leverage their capabilities.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/21/2019 to 07/04/2019
Salary
$88,704 to - $119,101 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Locations
Des Moines, IA
1 vacancy
Columbus, OH
1 vacancy
Memphis, TN
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - This position approximates 10-25% travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
ITA-Field-2019-0006
Control number
537304500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current Federal employees serving under a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service; former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) eligibles; applicants eligible under special hiring authorities; veterans who are preference eligible, or separated from the U.S. Armed Forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active service (VEOA).

Duties

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The incumbent is a senior specialist who regularly and independently assumes responsibility for highly complex 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.

The individual selected for this position will:

  • Counsel current and potential US exporters to meet client export market development objectives.
  • Create, develop and implement export programs and strategies to meet client export market development objectives.
  • Establish, develop and nurture relationships and partnerships with local partners, congressional offices, District Export Councils, oversees posts, trade promotion partners, other government agencies, and the media.
  • Create and/or contribute to market research efforts, analyze trade data, and disseminate trade information and materials to US businesses and associates.
  • Develop and implement activities and events of the office.

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other International Trade Specialist GS-1140-13, FPL 13 positions within ITA in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience

This position is also being announced concurrently under Delegated Examining vacancy number: ITA-Field-2019-0007. Applicants who wish to be considered under MAP and DE must apply to both vacancies separately.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a suitable for Federal employment.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • You must be registered for Selective Service if applicable (www.sss.gov).
  • Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date.

  • A one year probationary period may be required.
  • Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.
  • Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement unless eligible for special hiring authority, reinstatement eligible, non-current Federal employee applying as a VEOA eligible which do not require time-in-grade/band.

Security Clearance: You must be able to obtain and maintain a Non-Critical Sensitive/Moderate Risk Security Clearance.

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/

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.

Specialized Experience: 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. The experience need not have been in the federal government.
To qualify at the GS-13 level: One full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Counseling and crafting customized solutions involving the export of goods and services to foreign countries;
  • Creating and leading export related initiatives and/or programs;
  • Establishing, maintaining and building partnerships in the international business community;
  • Public speaking.

Additional information

CTAP and ICTAP candidates 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.  Information about ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management’s Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition

CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

  1. A copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice).
  2. A copy of your SF-50 “Notification of Personnel Action”, noting current position, grade level, and duty location;
  3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

  1. A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
  2. A copy of your SF-50 “Notification of Personnel Action” documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc;
  3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

The following links provide information on various hiring authorities that do not fall under competitive examining procedures; however, they may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures, or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment.

    1. Veterans Recruitment Act (VRA)
    2. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)
    3. 30% or more disabled veterans
    4. Persons with disabilities
    5. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)
    6. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)

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, optional cover letter and supporting documentation (transcripts if applicable) to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire that you completed as part of the application. However, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the occupational questions, or your score will be lowered. The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:

1. Knowledge of export marketing and promotion, foreign trade practices, and government international programs and policies
2. Skill in counseling sophisticated US exporters
3. Ability to establish and implement initiatives or programs that impact client service.
4. Ability to coordinate public and private sector organizations or government agencies to develop a common agenda, policies, and programs.
5. Skill in conducting international business research and analyzing foreign market data for the benefit of US companies.
6. Ability to develop and conduct seminars, meeting, conferences and other events that involve a broad variety of participants.

If applicable, performance appraisals and/or Incentive award documentation may be submitted and will be forwarded to the selecting official as support in consideration of your application in the evaluation process. To receive due weight, you must submit a recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (do not submit a performance plan) and/or incentive award documentation (i.e. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increases, etc..) Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager.


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