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International Relations Officer

Department of Labor
Bureau of International Labor Affairs
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), Office of International Relations and Economic Research (OIRER), in Washington DC.

- Additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement.
- This position is located inside the bargaining unit.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
12/14/2020 to 12/28/2020
Salary
$72,030 to - $133,465 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
few vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Less than 5%
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13 - There is no obligation to provide future promotions if you are selected. Promotions are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, meet all the performance requirements, and supervisor’s recommendation to the next grade.
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
MS-21-PHIL-ILAB-0020
Control number
587035400

Duties

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OIRER is responsible for coordinating U.S. Government (USG) participation in the International Labor Organization, the labor components of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the G-7, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the US-EU relationship, the OAS, and the Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor, and supporting USG activities on labor related issues in the UN and other international bodies; managing ILAB's foreign visitors program; and monitoring and providing expert advice on international labor standards.

This is an advanced developmental position that has promotion potential to the GS-13. The incumbent serves as an International Relations Officer under the general supervision of the Office Director or Deputy Director.

Duties Include:

Develops and evaluates knowledgeable analysis of Office issues and initiatives through study and monitoring of relevant legislation, bills, and proposed legislation regarding existing policy and standards, pertinent ILO and other international organizations standards and decisions, overseas developments, reports, cables, and other relevant documents, books, and articles, as well as discussions with foreign and U.S. officials, academic experts, trade union leaders, human rights and other non-governmental representatives, and business representatives. 

Formulates policy or program recommendations including coordinating and developing official positions on assigned program including developing budget requirements, preparing papers and briefing materials, and collaborating with other agencies, foreign counterparts, and others to ensure policies or programs respond to DOL and U.S. priorities and interests. Monitors labor developments and provides policy advice on labor issues in countries of importance to the U.S.

Develops and prepares in depth analysis of assigned issues at national, regional, and global levels to provide inputs for reports and other research projects as well as for the development of policies and programs. Coordinates policy and directives with other offices in ILAB, DOL, and other U.S. Government agencies. Makes recommendations for analysis to be performed under contract with private organizations or independent consultants and oversees the work of private consultants hired conduct research and analysis. 

Prepares relevant reports, papers, talking points, briefing books, memos, letters, proposals, and background papers, including Congressionally-mandated reports for the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Deputy Under Secretary, and others as directed.

Organizes and conducts extensive research and support activities for programs, initiatives, or international organizations assigned and prepares recommendations, reports, and briefings.

Applies a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to assess and improve program effectiveness as related to proposed legislation, proposed regulations, services and resources and/or agency guidance for projected impact on a wide range of Office issues.

Represents ILAB on international, interagency, and intra-agency working groups, committees, international meetings and conferences in the capacity of DOL or ILAB spokesperson to present and clarify DOL/U.S. policy related to the Office. 

The duties describe above are at the full performance level (GS-13).  If selected at the lower level (GS-11/ GS-12), selectee will perform similar duties with varying levels of supervision.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
  • Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
  • Subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
  • Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
  • Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.

Applicants must meet time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment and qualifications requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the vacancy to be eligible for consideration for selection.

Federal Employees Please Note: Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met and reflects your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. competitive/excepted). In some cases you may need to submit more than one SF-50.

Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.

Qualifications

THIS POSITION HAS A BASIC REQUIREMENT. ALL APPLICANTS MUST MEET THIS REQUIREMENT IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED.

  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.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

FOR THE GS-11: In addition to the meeting the basic requirements of this position, applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-09, in the Federal Service. Your experience must demonstrates knowledge of international employment and labor issues.

Examples of specialized experience includes:

  1. Drafting analytical papers, reports, briefing materials, position papers and talking points;
  2. Contributing to the development of policy recommendations;
  3. Conducting research and/or studies.

FOR THE GS-12: In addition to the meeting the basic requirements of this position, applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-11, in the Federal Service. Your experience must demonstrate extensive knowledge of international employment and labor issues.

Examples of specialized experience includes:

  1. Preparing relevant reports, papers, talking points, briefing materials, memos, letters, proposals, and background papers;
  2. Conducting research and support activities for programs, initiatives, or international organizations;
  3. Formulating policy or program recommendations;
  4. Developing and preparing authoritative analysis of relevant issues at national, regional, and global levels.

FOR THE GS-13: In addition to the meeting the basic requirements of this position, applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-12, in the Federal Service. Your experience must demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of international employment and labor issues.

Examples of specialized experience includes:

  1. Developing and preparing in-depth analysis of issues at national, regional, and global levels, and drafting and/or coordinating the development of reports, papers, talking points, briefing materials, memos, letters, proposals and background papers;
  2. Organizing and/or conducting extensive research and support activities for programs, initiatives, or international organizations;
  3. Formulating policy or program recommendations;
  4. Representing positions on labor and employment issues

Education

You may use education to substitute for specialized experience at the GS-11 level ONLY: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, IF RELATED.

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.

If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Additional information

DOL seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees’ differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve. DOL fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility and fairness so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.

Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

Position Telework eligibility is determined by management based on position duties during the recruitment process. Employee participation in telework on a routine or situational basis is determined by management primarily based on business needs.  Employees participating in telework are subject to the terms and conditions of the Department of Labor’s Telework Program.

How you will be evaluated

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

Click here for Evaluation details. For Displaced Employees ONLY: if you meet the eligibility requirements for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles will be considered "well-qualified" if they attain at least a rating score of 85 in a numerical rating scheme. Be sure to review DOL Account Eligibility Questions #24 to reflect that you are applying as a ICTAP or CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation.

Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:

Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

Planning and Evaluating - Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.

Influencing/Negotiating - Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.

Oral Communication- Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Interpersonal Skills- Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.

The information you provide may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references and through other means (ex. interview). Your evaluation may also include a review by an HR Specialist or panel and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc.). The examining Office of Human Resources (OHR) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your vacancy question responses. If not, the OHR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume.


To preview questions please click here.

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