This position is located in the Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA). The incumbent will serve as a Trade Specialist who 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. ITA is recruiting candidates that are interested in building upon our trade programs to increase U.S. exports.
Summary
This position is located in the Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA). The incumbent will serve as a Trade Specialist who 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. ITA is recruiting candidates that are interested in building upon our trade programs to increase U.S. exports.
Duties listed below will be performed in a developmental capacity, if selected at the GS-09/11/12 grade levels. At the full performance, GS-13, the incumbent will:
Counsel current and potential U.S. exporters to meet client export market development objectives.
Conduct market research and disseminate trade information and materials on government products and services to U.S. businesses and associates.
Assist current and potential U.S. exporters and investors with navigating challenging obstacles to address trade barriers affecting exports or investments abroad.
Provide comprehensive data analysis and translate data into long-term meaningful material to foster innovation and achieve results using automated monitoring and reporting systems
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
A probationary period may be required.
License required: No
Pre-employment physical required: No
Bargaining Unit Position: Yes
Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid.
You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
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.
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of 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.
This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing thereafter.
Qualifications
Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Specialized Experience requirements as noted below. Specialized 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:
Experience performing research in one or more of the following areas: international trade issues, U.S. business exports.
Experience preparing memos and/or white papers and oral briefs.
Experience analyzing economic data.
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:
Experience performing research in one or more of the following areas: U.S. export facilitation, foreign direct investment promotion, trade promotion, trade-policy analysis, the resolution of trade barriers, and/or negotiations.
Experience making recommendations on trade issues, policy positions, or negotiating strategies.
Experience operating in an international business or trade policy and promotion environment.
GS-12: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 Grade level in the Federal government:
Experience performing one or more of the following: U.S. export facilitation, foreign direct investment promotion, trade promotion through trade-policy analysis, the resolution of trade barriers, and negotiations.
Experience making recommendations based on empirical trade information with interpretation and prediction of influences of economic, market, political events; and
Experience developing strategies for U.S. business facilitation, trade and investment promotion initiatives, regulatory, and global trade-policy positions.
GS-13: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal government:
Experience conducting 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.
Experience making recommendations of positions on complex trade issues, policy positions, or negotiating strategies.
Experience developing and disseminating trade information to U.S. businesses or associations.
NOTE(s):
Education: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts, official or unofficial, to document your 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.
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.
Education
To qualify based on education for GS-09: Must have master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree, or LL.B. or J.D.
To qualify based education for GS-11: Must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.
For education to be qualifying degree must be in 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.
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. Visit U.S. Department of Education Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information. We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process.
Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.
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 these standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for a secret clearance as a condition of placement in this non-critical sensitive 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.
Work Location: The physical worksite for this position is located in Washington, D.C. However, the International Trade Administration is currently under a maximum telework posture due to the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore, this position is currently under a 100% telework schedule. The position’s telework schedule will likely change in the future when the International Trade Administration moves away from its maximum telework posture. At this 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.
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.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP): 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 Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), 2) will be eligible if it is determined that you have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out 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 this position. See Workforce Restructuring.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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:
Foreign Market Research
International Business Management
Planning and Evaluating
Economics and Accounting
If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the job opportunity announcement, 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) and place you in one of three pre-defined categories. These categories are Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Candidates placed in the Gold category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.
The Category Rating process does not add veteran’s preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher). For more information on category rating, please see Category Rating.
Veterans Preference: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-Point Preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 Members Copy 4, or an official statement that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days from the date the certification is signed. This must include your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. If you are claiming 10-Point Preference, in addition to the DD-214 Members Copy-4, you must also submit the Application for 10-Point Veterans Preference, SF-15, and required supporting documents listed on that form. See Feds Hire Vets for more information on veterans preferences.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
A resume should be provided. It should include relevant work experience (start/end dates stated in month/year, description of duties and salary), applicable education at a minimum, and your contact information. For current or previous Federal employees, it should also include the Pay Plan, Series and Grade for each work experience entry.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume showing a detailed description of your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates with the month and year and hours worked per week (if less than 40) for each paid and non-paid work experience job title listed. FOR WORK IN THE FEDERAL SERVICE, INCLUDE THE GRADE LEVEL FOR THE POSITION(S). 2. Other supporting documents (only submit if applicable to you):
Are you claiming veterans' preference? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 or other (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or notice form. Those applying for 10-Point preference must fill out the SF-15 and provide an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions.
Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP)? If so, submit:
A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
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.;
A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
Position title;
Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
Agency; and
Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
To apply online, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website. To begin, click Apply and follow the prompts to log into your USAJOBS account, answer the questions, and submit all required documents. After logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking Submit, you are automatically redirected to the Department of Commerce specific site where you will complete your application. You must click Submit at the end of the application process to send your application for consideration.
To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account and click Applications. Click on the position title and select Update Application.
If you have problems completing your online application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Talent Acquisition Services Contact Center by email at careersatcommerce@doc.gov, or by phone at 833-974-4171. The Contact Center is available Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM ET to 8:00 PM ET.
Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the Department of Commerce mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for Federal jobs. Click on the links to determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation.
This vacancy is advertised under 2 different announcements. Please read the Who May Apply section carefully to determine your eligibility. If you are not eligible under this announcement, please see (DOC-ITA-2022-0023), Trade Specialist, GS-1140-09/11/12/13.
Please Note: This announcement will be used to hire across the Bureau. Due to multiple vacancies, you may be contacted by selecting officials from different ITA Business Units. Note: One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy announcement. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for Department of Commerce to share your application with others in the Department for similar positions.
Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC, 20230
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
You will be notified of your application status at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by access the USAJOBS website and clicking Applications. Your status will be visible next to the corresponding position.
The four points of notification are:
Application Received or Application Incomplete,
Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Requirement Not Met,
Referred or Not Referred, and
Selected or Not Selected.
By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veteran's preference, disability, etc.).
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consist with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget and U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance, and OMB plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
For more information on applying for Federal employment, click here.
Vaccination Requirement: If selected, you will be asked to provide information regarding your vaccination status for the purpose of implementing workplace safety protocols such as masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine. If you do not submit your vaccination information and documentation of fully vaccinated, you will be treated as not fully vaccinated for the purposes of implementing the safety protocols.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
A resume should be provided. It should include relevant work experience (start/end dates stated in month/year, description of duties and salary), applicable education at a minimum, and your contact information. For current or previous Federal employees, it should also include the Pay Plan, Series and Grade for each work experience entry.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume showing a detailed description of your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates with the month and year and hours worked per week (if less than 40) for each paid and non-paid work experience job title listed. FOR WORK IN THE FEDERAL SERVICE, INCLUDE THE GRADE LEVEL FOR THE POSITION(S). 2. Other supporting documents (only submit if applicable to you):
Are you claiming veterans' preference? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 or other (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or notice form. Those applying for 10-Point preference must fill out the SF-15 and provide an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions.
Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP)? If so, submit:
A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
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.;
A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
Position title;
Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
Agency; and
Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
To apply online, you must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website. To begin, click Apply and follow the prompts to log into your USAJOBS account, answer the questions, and submit all required documents. After logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking Submit, you are automatically redirected to the Department of Commerce specific site where you will complete your application. You must click Submit at the end of the application process to send your application for consideration.
To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account and click Applications. Click on the position title and select Update Application.
If you have problems completing your online application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Talent Acquisition Services Contact Center by email at careersatcommerce@doc.gov, or by phone at 833-974-4171. The Contact Center is available Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM ET to 8:00 PM ET.
Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the Department of Commerce mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for Federal jobs. Click on the links to determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation.
This vacancy is advertised under 2 different announcements. Please read the Who May Apply section carefully to determine your eligibility. If you are not eligible under this announcement, please see (DOC-ITA-2022-0023), Trade Specialist, GS-1140-09/11/12/13.
Please Note: This announcement will be used to hire across the Bureau. Due to multiple vacancies, you may be contacted by selecting officials from different ITA Business Units. Note: One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy announcement. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for Department of Commerce to share your application with others in the Department for similar positions.
Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC, 20230
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
You will be notified of your application status at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by access the USAJOBS website and clicking Applications. Your status will be visible next to the corresponding position.
The four points of notification are:
Application Received or Application Incomplete,
Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Requirement Not Met,
Referred or Not Referred, and
Selected or Not Selected.
By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veteran's preference, disability, etc.).
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consist with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget and U.S. Office of Personnel Management guidance, and OMB plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
For more information on applying for Federal employment, click here.
Vaccination Requirement: If selected, you will be asked to provide information regarding your vaccination status for the purpose of implementing workplace safety protocols such as masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine. If you do not submit your vaccination information and documentation of fully vaccinated, you will be treated as not fully vaccinated for the purposes of implementing the safety protocols.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
