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Foreign Affairs Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Office of APL, Office of International Aviation, Africa, Europe & Middle East Staff, AEU-10
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Policy, International Affairs, and Environment, APL, Africa, Europe & Middle East Office, Office of International Aviation, Africa, Europe & Middle East Staff. The incumbent serves as the FAA desk officer and a focal point on U.S. civil aviation policies, practices and procedures in his/her geographic area of responsibility.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
06/03/2024 to 06/12/2024
Salary
$123,884 to - $192,056 per year

The salary listed above includes a 33.26% locality payment for the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Pay scale & grade
FV J
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - The job may require travel from time-to-time, but not on a regular basis. The travel may be for training or other work-related duties.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
NA
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
AWA-APL-24-8721BR-90601
Control number
793604700

Duties

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Performs multiple, varying and complex assignments under the minimal direction of a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist. Acts as principal technical specialist or as a project manager or team leader for large work activities. Works with subject matter experts and the assigned FAA senior representative to proactively implement the key focus areas of FAA's global leadership by: (1) developing initiatives that advance U.S. standards, policies, and procedures to achieve a more safe, efficient and sustainable global air transportation system and competitive marketplace; (2) formulating strategies to help achieve a common system of air traffic control and air navigation for both civil and military aircraft; (3) identifying and executing bilateral arrangements that codify U.S. and foreign commitments to harmonize standards, and/or adopt U.S. practices through targeted technical assistance and cooperative arrangements; (4) collaborating with FAA Lines of Businesses (LOBs) to advance the international component of FAA programmatic initiatives as the international standard and to ensure interoperability; and (5) working with ICAO regional bodies and entities, other designated regional bodies, as well as identified critical states and partners, to formulate FAA initiatives of appropriate scope and scale to U.S. interests that efficiently leverage the FAA presence and efficacy in the world.

As a core function, supports the FAA's international mission through the following activities: (1) Develops and/or coordinates, as appropriate, briefing and background papers on technical, policy and political aspects of international aviation issues, in preparation for and in support of anticipated meetings, travel, or decision-making by senior FAA officials. Develops recommendations on the appropriate FAA engagement on international programs and projects. Arranges the necessary logistical support for such events and ensures appropriate FAA representation. (2) Develops international agreements, coordinates program requirements, and arranges for the resources (personnel, equipment, funding) required to execute agreed upon FAA responsibilities associated with international technical assistance; (3) Collaborates and builds relationships with other LOBs and Staff Offices, FAA senior representatives; the Department of Transportation, other U.S. Government agencies, such as the Departments of State and Commerce; aerospace industry associations, representatives of U.S. Embassies and foreign governments, including civil aviation officials in those countries; and representatives of international and regional groups such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and its regional organizations. (4) Develops and presents analyses related to policies, positions and programs. Develops and presents integrated strategies to achieve objectives within the assigned geographic portfolio. (5) Collects, analyzes, and distributes critical information and intelligence in his/her area of responsibility; (6) Contributes to the FAA's strategic planning by formulating FAA initiatives of appropriate scope and scale to U.S. interests that efficiently leverage the FAA presence and efficacy in the world.

As assigned, the incumbent serves as back-up to counterpart employees in the staff for the performance of the above duties for countries other than those for which he/she has primary responsibility.

Applies experience and comprehensive technical knowledge applicable to international aviation issues, as well as an understanding of new technologies and methodologies, to solve complex problems and develop improved technical processes or systems. Considers the objectives of the major subdivision and LOB/SO when developing, integrating, and implementing solutions to diverse, complex problems.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
  • This position has a positive education requirement. Transcript(s) required.
  • Travel Required: 10% (Domestic Only)
  • This Level 2 (Non-Critical Sensitive; Secret) position requires favorable adjudication of an Access National Agency Check and Inquiries (ANACI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I, FG/GS-13 level. This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

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SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE IS DEFINED AS:

Experience in developing presentations, briefings, issue papers, reports, speeches and other correspondence on civil aviation program activities for senior leadership.

AND;

Experience in coordinating with representatives from federal government agencies, civil aviation representatives, foreign government and embassy officials, or international aviation groups to develop policy-related documents.

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In addition, this experience must have included either (a) responsibility for the direction and coordination of research, analysis, or other professional work in one or more of the fields listed in (1) below under the Education Section; or (b) specialized professional work of a high level of difficulty and responsibility in one or more of these fields. This high-level experience must have been in such specialized activities as (1) formulation of instructions and policy guidance for United States representatives in international organizations; (2) transport and communication involving knowledge of economic, political, and technical aspects of international aviation, shipping, inland transport, or radio, telephone, and telegraph, etc.; (3) cultural affairs involving formulation and operation of policy on large-scale international cultural exchange programs; (4) occupied area affairs involving problems of occupation of conquered or liberated countries, regions, or zones; or (5) other specialized international affairs such as zing public opinion and attitudes, evaluating specific conditions, trends, or forces· a foreign country, formulating policy on problems of petroleum resources or fisheries, etc. You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered.

You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered.

Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.

*Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.*

Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA.

**All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.**

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; (3) alphabetical; or (4) priority grouping, and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page).

Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration.

Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/accreditation.

Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered.

Basic Requirements

  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, 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.

If you are a current or former Federal employee, and you currently hold or previously held a position classified in the 130 occupational series, you are not required to submit a college transcript provided you upload a copy of the SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, verifying your classification in the 130 occupational series.

Applicants, who are not currently in the 130 occupational series in the Federal Government and fail to provide a copy of an unofficial or official transcript will not receive further consideration for this vacancy. Upon selection, if not currently employed in the 130 occupational series, you will be required to submit an official transcript before appointment. If you do not have an official transcript (original, with the raised seal), you should contact your school immediately to request it.

Foreign Education: For additional information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

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Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.

The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements

The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family.

Leave Enhancement: FAA organizations may offer enhanced annual leave accrual to newly appointed or reappointed employees. In order to receive consideration for such a benefit, applicants' prior non-Federal service or active duty uniformed service must directly relate to the duties of the position to which appointed. Granting enhanced annual leave is at the sole discretion of the hiring organization, and granting such benefit is not an entitlement nor guaranteed to any newly hired employee.

This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.

NOTES:

1. This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about Core Compensation is available at: https://www.faa.gov/jobs/working_here/benefits.

2. As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA section, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a human resource specialist as appropriate.

3. Some, all, or none of the applicants may be interviewed.

4. This announcement is also being advertised under VA #AWA-APL-24-8721BR-90603. Please review both vacancy announcements before making application to determine your eligibility to apply.



This is a bargaining unit position. This position is represented by AFSCME Local 1653.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay , COLA

How you will be evaluated

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



IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

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