An independent Federal agency, the U.S. International Commission provides the President and Congress with high-quality analysis and technical support on international trade, tariff and competitiveness issues; hears and decides import injury cases; and publishes the United States' tariff schedule. You will find a working environment throughout the Commission that is dedicated to the development of your technical skills and a commitment to provide balance between your work and personal life.
Summary
An independent Federal agency, the U.S. International Commission provides the President and Congress with high-quality analysis and technical support on international trade, tariff and competitiveness issues; hears and decides import injury cases; and publishes the United States' tariff schedule. You will find a working environment throughout the Commission that is dedicated to the development of your technical skills and a commitment to provide balance between your work and personal life.
This position is being filled using Merit Promotion procedures. This announcement is open to current or former Federal employees with competitive status, including career or career-conditional employees, as well as individuals eligible under special hiring authorities as specified in the announcement. Applicants must meet time-in-grade requirements and all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Serves as the office expert on international and domestic nomenclature and/or trade agreement matters.
Maintains chapters of the HTS pertaining to assigned products.
Reviews, analyzes, and recommends proposals for the creation, revision and modification of U.S. and international commodity classification and nomenclature systems.
Responsible for identifying issues with the relationship between domestic systems and principal international commodity classification systems such as the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC).
Provides nomenclature expertise to Commission personnel in the preparation and review of commodity-oriented trade digests industry and trade summaries and sector analyses and assists in investigations.
You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
Males born after 12/03/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
Selectee must pass successfully complete a background investigation.
Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain Secret security clearance.
You may be required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement.
Qualifications
You must meet all the requirements below by the closing date of the announcement and they must be clearly identified in your application, resume, or supporting documents. This includes any general and specialized experience, education, and/or selective placement factors mentioned. These are used to determine if you possess the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to successfully perform in this position.
Specialized Experience
To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 obtained in the federal or private sector which demonstrates all of the following:
Utilizing national and international product nomenclature systems for the process of classifying goods and interpreting rules of origin for customs purposes; and
Recommending improvements regarding trade practices and serving as an analyst on trade matters.
To qualify at the GS-13 level, you must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 obtained in the federal or private sector which demonstrates all of the following:
Utilizing national and international product nomenclature systems for the process of classifying goods and interpreting rules of origin for customs purposes; and
Recommending improvements regarding trade practices and serving as an analyst on trade matters; and
Drafting nomenclature or preparing draft recommendations to describe articles in international trade.
To qualify at the GS-14 level, you must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 obtained in the federal or private sector which demonstrates all of the following:
Utilizing national and international product nomenclature systems for the process of classifying goods and interpreting rules of origin for customs purposes; and
Recommending improvements regarding trade practices and serving as an analyst on trade matters; and
Drafting nomenclature or preparing draft recommendations to describe articles in international trade; Implementing required changes to assigned Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) as well as associated Change Record for each update and the HTS History, to maintain compliance with legislation, international agreements, and other legal sources.
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
No positive education requirement.
Additional information
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Surplus or Displaced Federal Employees: The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Programs are available to federal employees that qualify. Those eligible for these programs are granted special priority selection rights. To be considered, you must be deemed well-qualified by receiving a score of 85 or higher. If you are a federal employee claiming CTAP/ICTAP, you must provide the documents listed under the Required Documents section to verify your eligibility. Also, you must indicate in your application that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible. For additional information regarding CTAP/ICTAP, please visit: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you are registered with the Selective Service or are exempt under Selective Service regulations. For additional information concerning Selective Service requirements, please visit http://www.sss.gov/.
Reasonable accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact listed on the vacancy announcement. The decision to grant a reasonable accommodation is made on a case-by-case basis. Verification of information: Any information claimed on your resume and in application materials, such as education, credentials, employment history, etc., will be verified as part of the security clearance process.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
BASIS OF RATING:
If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your resume will be evaluated by a Subject Matter Expert Panel (SME). Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience(s) as it relates to this job opportunity.
If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be excluded from further consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.
You will be further evaluated on the following Competencies required for the position:
Technical Subject Matter Expertise
Research Skills
Standardization
Analytic Writing and Communication
Customer Service
We DO NOT require a separate narrative statement responding to the competencies; however, your resume must CLEARLY show possession of these competencies.
If you meet the qualifications stated above and you are among the top candidates your application may be referred to the Selecting Official for further review.
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.
To receive consideration, you must submit all documentation specified below by
The Content of Resume - Your resume, curriculum vitae, or other written form you choose to describe your job-related experiences are used to verify your qualifications. Therefore, it is important that your resume accurately reflects the duties and responsibilities under each position you have held with each employer. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. It is your responsibility to make sure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total number of hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified, and you will no longer be considered for this position.
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action - If you are a current or former federal employee, you must submit a SF-50 showing the highest grade level held in the position for which you are using to qualify. Your SF-50 must also include the Position Title and Series, Step, Salary, Tenure, Position Occupied, and promotion potential (if applicable) to verify your status and eligibility. An award SF-50 is not acceptable. If you are unable to provide your most recent SF-50, you should submit a written statement explaining why it was not obtainable. This explanation should include your Position Title and Series, Step, Salary, Tenure, Position Occupied, and promotion potential. Failure to submit the required SF50 document or statement of explanation will result in an ineligible rating under merit promotion procedures.
Recent Performance Appraisal - If you are a current or former federal employee, you must submit your current Fiscal Year (FY2025), or an appraisal dated within 18 months. Performance Appraisal showing you have performed at an acceptable level. If you are unable to submit your current Fiscal Year (FY2025) Performance Appraisal you must submit a written explanation as to why it was not obtainable. In this explanation you should include your final rating. Failure to submit your current Fiscal Year (FY2025) Performance Appraisal or a written statement explaining why it was not obtainable will disqualify you from further consideration.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles must submit the following documents: a copy of their agency notice, a copy of their most recent performance rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, indicating their current position, grade level, and duty location. Please note that applicants will not qualify if the vacancy being applied for has a higher promotion potential than the last position they held.
Special hiring authority applicants - If you are applying under the special appointing authority such as those authorized for the severely disabled (Schedule A) you will be asked to submit documents showing eligibility to non-competitively apply under Merit Assignment announcements. Please indicate the type of special appointment you are seeking on your application. For more info on non-competitive appointments and supporting documents, please visit Federal Employment of People with Disabilities or Feds Hire Vets - Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans.
Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) eligibles must submit their Member Copy 4 DD-214(s), which includes Character of Service. VEOA eligibility applies to the following categories of veterans: Preference eligibles and Service personnel separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.
30 Percent or More Disabled Veteran - If you are claiming Veterans' Preference based on a Compensable Disability you must submit your DD-214 showing discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions are eligible for veterans' preference, SF-15 and the required proof of disability, i.e., Department of Veterans Affairs letter dated 1991 or later. Failure to provide this documentation may result in your application not receiving preference. (Please see veteran eligibility documentation for more information on veterans preference in federal hiring) Eligibility applies to the following categories: Disabled veterans who were retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more; and Disabled veterans rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more.
Cover Letter -This is optional.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes your resume and any other documents needed to verify your qualifications or eligibility (see the required documents section).
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/25/2026 to receive consideration.
Please follow the instructions listed below for submitting your complete application package. Application procedures are specific to this vacancy announcement. Please read all instructions before you begin.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
The Vacancy ID is 12883926
Resume Requirements:
Resumes are limited to two (2) pages
Resumes should focus on the knowledge, skills, abilities; accomplishments and results; and training and education relevant to this position.
Resumes must be in the following format (for each position held relevant to this position:
Short summary of position duties
Accomplishments while in the position
Results of those accomplishments
Copying and pasting position descriptions into a resume is not acceptable. Illegible Information and/or Documents
If your supporting documents and resume are illegible or do not provide the necessary information for the Human Resource Specialist and/or Subject Matter Expert to make a qualification determination, you may lose consideration for this position.
Last Document Uploaded
If multiple copies of the same document are uploaded/faxed and submitted with your application, We will only consider the last copy of the document uploaded/faxed when determining your eligibility and qualifications. For example, if you upload/fax two or more resumes only the last resume uploaded/faxed and submitted will be considered.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account http://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Office of Tariff Affairs and Trade Agreements
500 E St SW
Washington, DC 20436
US
Next steps
After each step in the recruitment process, your status will be updated in the online application tracking system and if you have elected to receive email updates, you will be notified through your USAJOBS registered email address. If you have not elected to receive email updates, you can review your current application status in USAJOBS at any time. Please check that your USAJOBS profile contact information is current and correct each time you apply to a job. This will ensure we can contact you as quickly as possible.
In addition to changing your status online, we will send you email notifications at each major step in the process, to include; application received, eligible or ineligible, referred or not referred, selected or not selected.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To receive consideration, you must submit all documentation specified below by
The Content of Resume - Your resume, curriculum vitae, or other written form you choose to describe your job-related experiences are used to verify your qualifications. Therefore, it is important that your resume accurately reflects the duties and responsibilities under each position you have held with each employer. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. It is your responsibility to make sure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total number of hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified, and you will no longer be considered for this position.
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action - If you are a current or former federal employee, you must submit a SF-50 showing the highest grade level held in the position for which you are using to qualify. Your SF-50 must also include the Position Title and Series, Step, Salary, Tenure, Position Occupied, and promotion potential (if applicable) to verify your status and eligibility. An award SF-50 is not acceptable. If you are unable to provide your most recent SF-50, you should submit a written statement explaining why it was not obtainable. This explanation should include your Position Title and Series, Step, Salary, Tenure, Position Occupied, and promotion potential. Failure to submit the required SF50 document or statement of explanation will result in an ineligible rating under merit promotion procedures.
Recent Performance Appraisal - If you are a current or former federal employee, you must submit your current Fiscal Year (FY2025), or an appraisal dated within 18 months. Performance Appraisal showing you have performed at an acceptable level. If you are unable to submit your current Fiscal Year (FY2025) Performance Appraisal you must submit a written explanation as to why it was not obtainable. In this explanation you should include your final rating. Failure to submit your current Fiscal Year (FY2025) Performance Appraisal or a written statement explaining why it was not obtainable will disqualify you from further consideration.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles must submit the following documents: a copy of their agency notice, a copy of their most recent performance rating, and a copy of their most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, indicating their current position, grade level, and duty location. Please note that applicants will not qualify if the vacancy being applied for has a higher promotion potential than the last position they held.
Special hiring authority applicants - If you are applying under the special appointing authority such as those authorized for the severely disabled (Schedule A) you will be asked to submit documents showing eligibility to non-competitively apply under Merit Assignment announcements. Please indicate the type of special appointment you are seeking on your application. For more info on non-competitive appointments and supporting documents, please visit Federal Employment of People with Disabilities or Feds Hire Vets - Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans.
Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) eligibles must submit their Member Copy 4 DD-214(s), which includes Character of Service. VEOA eligibility applies to the following categories of veterans: Preference eligibles and Service personnel separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.
30 Percent or More Disabled Veteran - If you are claiming Veterans' Preference based on a Compensable Disability you must submit your DD-214 showing discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions are eligible for veterans' preference, SF-15 and the required proof of disability, i.e., Department of Veterans Affairs letter dated 1991 or later. Failure to provide this documentation may result in your application not receiving preference. (Please see veteran eligibility documentation for more information on veterans preference in federal hiring) Eligibility applies to the following categories: Disabled veterans who were retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more; and Disabled veterans rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more.
Cover Letter -This is optional.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes your resume and any other documents needed to verify your qualifications or eligibility (see the required documents section).
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/25/2026 to receive consideration.
Please follow the instructions listed below for submitting your complete application package. Application procedures are specific to this vacancy announcement. Please read all instructions before you begin.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
The Vacancy ID is 12883926
Resume Requirements:
Resumes are limited to two (2) pages
Resumes should focus on the knowledge, skills, abilities; accomplishments and results; and training and education relevant to this position.
Resumes must be in the following format (for each position held relevant to this position:
Short summary of position duties
Accomplishments while in the position
Results of those accomplishments
Copying and pasting position descriptions into a resume is not acceptable. Illegible Information and/or Documents
If your supporting documents and resume are illegible or do not provide the necessary information for the Human Resource Specialist and/or Subject Matter Expert to make a qualification determination, you may lose consideration for this position.
Last Document Uploaded
If multiple copies of the same document are uploaded/faxed and submitted with your application, We will only consider the last copy of the document uploaded/faxed when determining your eligibility and qualifications. For example, if you upload/fax two or more resumes only the last resume uploaded/faxed and submitted will be considered.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account http://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Office of Tariff Affairs and Trade Agreements
500 E St SW
Washington, DC 20436
US
Next steps
After each step in the recruitment process, your status will be updated in the online application tracking system and if you have elected to receive email updates, you will be notified through your USAJOBS registered email address. If you have not elected to receive email updates, you can review your current application status in USAJOBS at any time. Please check that your USAJOBS profile contact information is current and correct each time you apply to a job. This will ensure we can contact you as quickly as possible.
In addition to changing your status online, we will send you email notifications at each major step in the process, to include; application received, eligible or ineligible, referred or not referred, selected or not selected.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
