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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
01/11/2024 to 01/22/2024
Salary
$117,962 to - $181,216 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fort Belvoir, VA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
50% 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
14
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-24-12267008-DE
Control number
769929000

Duties

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As a INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SPECIALIST at the GS-0131-13/14 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Providing subject matter treaty expertise in support of planning and execution of global Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) responsibilities.
  • Serving as a key advisor and subject matter expert to the Director, OB, DTRA, DoD, and USG leaders to assist policy-making officials in the development, interpretation, clarification, and defense of Agency, DoD, or national positions.
  • Coordinating DoD requirements related to U.S. CWC Declaration updates, annual CW destruction plans and reports, CW destruction facility planning, facility agreements, OPCW-agreed detailed plans for verification, CWC inspections and Technical Secretariat Inspection Team rotations that conduct 24/7 monitoring and destruction reconciliation in coordination with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
  • Supporting the OSD Threat Reduction and Arms Control (TRAC) Treaty Manager, the Department of State, US Delegation to OPCW, the US Army, Combatant Commanders, and other Interagency partners as required to ensure effective implementation of CWC requirements and facilitation of DTRA's mission requirements.
  • Serving as Lead for responsibilities for the Division for matters pertaining to CW Destruction, and oversight for matters pertaining to CW Stockpile Storage
  • Participating in DoD implementation coordination for arms control policy interagency working group and backstopping meetings to insure discussion and advancement of treaty management support issues and Directorate operational imperatives.
  • Participating in internal DoD working and ad hoc groups tasked with coordinating and resolving specific issues related to standardized and efficient DoD planning, preparation, and execution of DoD implementation and compliance.
  • Liaising closely with OB operational elements on matters of treaty implementation and execution and providing oversight and implementation assistance to DoD Host Teams on issues arising during treaty inspections.
  • Maintaining regular contact with all levels of DTRA, Defense contractors, the staffs of OSD, JS, other interagency partners, the military Services and the intelligence community.
  • Serving as professional staff member in the Strategic, Nuclear, Chemical & Biological Division (OB-ISS).
  • Participating in all office staff meetings and activities to remain abreast of OB and OSD treaty management issues and problems related to CW and BW agreements.
  • Monitoring and developing policy-level solutions, as required, on treaty program matters as they apply to OB and the OSD Treaty Managers.
  • Develop and staffs comments to treaty-mandated documents, international organization documents and correspondence, DoD guidance documents, and interagency papers, and prepares in-depth studies with recommended courses of actions related to CW, BW, and similar agreements implementation and compliance.
  • Initiating and developing full range of continuous and frequent action items related to assigned CW, BW, and similar agreements implementation programs and activities, which include, but are not limited to planning and evaluation work in originating planning and guidance documents, point/issue papers, essential office reports, memoranda, and position papers regarding resources programming actions and requirements to support agreements implementation.
  • Effecting thorough staff coordination on implementation and compliance-related issues, papers, and taskings.

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 http://www.sss.gov
  • 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: Fulltime
  • Overtime: 10%
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
  • 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
  • Extensive travel required, domestic and international, for extended periods of time, to include areas of harsh weather and limited support services.

Qualifications

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:

  • Applying knowledge of Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and Biological Weapons Convention (BWC);
  • Working with Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Technical Secretariat (TS), OSD Threat Reduction and Arms Control (TRAC), and Department of State Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence & Stability (ADS);
  • Performing Inspection/Escort duties as a team leader / member in the execution of escort responsibilities for CWC, or OPCW TS Inspection Team; and
  • Applying understanding of the interagency process, and working with Department of Defense, Department of State, Department of Commerce, and/or similar departments at policy levels. (Experience is clearly demonstrated in my resume).; OR
You may qualify at the GS-14, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service:
  • Representing an agency during interagency meetings involving multiple U.S. Government departments;
  • Interacting and negotiating with international treaty partners and arms control organizations, such as the OPCW;
  • Applying understanding of cultural sensitivities and norms of international diplomacy;
  • Working logistics actions supporting inspection teams and inspectors as related to short notice CWC inspections and continuous CWC destruction monitoring. (Experience is clearly demonstrated in my resume).
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: If satisfying the IOR requirement by education, 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.

If you are using education to meet the IOR: You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application.

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

Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

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

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs (
ICTAP eligibility): 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.

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 documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified below, required for this position.

Competencies:

  • Arms Control Policy and Implementation
  • Bilateral and Multilateral negotiations/talks
  • Communication
  • Interagency process
  • Research and CW/BW arms control


Based on the results of this evaluation, you will be placed in one of the following quality categories:

Best Qualified:
This highest category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s), as determined by the job analysis.
Highly Qualified: This higher category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that exceed the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s) as determined by the job analysis.
Qualified: This lowest category will be used for those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications of the position, including all selective placement factors and appropriate quality ranking factor(s) and are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the position. Candidates may require extensive training and/or orientation in order to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=Category-Rating

Names of the candidates in the Best Qualified category will be sent first to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Applicants in other categories will be referred in accordance with category rating procedures.

Veterans Preference:
If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are entitled to veterans' preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Qualified veterans' preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category depending on the position and grade level of the job.
For information on entitlement seeFeds Hire Vets - Job Seekers - Veterans.

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