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Foreign Affairs Specialist

Department of Energy
National Nuclear Security Administration
International Operations

Summary

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is seeking Foreign Affairs Specialists to be stationed within International Operations (NA-MB-70) at the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Headquarters in Washington, D.C. These positions require placement at designated U.S. diplomatic missions, where the incumbent will serve as a representative of the Secretary of Energy and the Department of Energy, offering a comprehensive DOE perspective.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/03/2026 to 04/17/2026
Salary
$107,446 - $171,882 per year
Pay scale & grade
EN 4
Locations
4 vacancies in the following locations:
Prague, Czech Republic
Paris, France
Mexico City, Mexico
London, United Kingdom
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation to Washington, DC will not be paid. PCS to the overseas duty station will be paid by the agency.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
4
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Q Access Authorization
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-NA-MB-XA-00311-DOE
Control number
863723500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current DOE and NNSA Employees with competitive and excepted service status.

Duties

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As a Foreign Affairs Specialist you will:

  • Serve as a Foreign Affairs Specialist and represents the Secretary of Energy and the Department of Energy (DOE) at U.S. diplomatic missions to advance U.S. security and economic interests through a mastery of the U.S. Government's (USG's) and DOE's energy, science, and nonproliferation goals, objectives, agreements, and policies, as well as other DOE initiatives.
  • Conduct analyses of vital foreign affairs policies, programs, and projects that are of national and international interest, scope, and impact to both U.S. and foreign policy makers/officials. These analyses are a basis for decisions regarding a broad range of energy, science, and nonproliferation-related issues.
  • Support DOE energy, science, and nonproliferation programs by: a) maintaining contact with foreign governments, industry, academia, research institutions, and NGOs; b) staying informed on global energy, science, nuclear security, and nonproliferation trends; c) coordinating with DOE headquarters and keeping the Chief of Mission and interagency informed; and d) collaborating with diplomatic mission sections (Economic, Political, Commercial) to align on DOE priorities.
  • Brief senior government policymakers, Congressional delegations, and senior business and/or non-governmental organization decision makers on energy-, science-, and nonproliferation-related issues.
  • Advocate DOE positions within the diplomatic community; negotiate USG and DOE stances on energy, environmental, and nuclear security challenges with foreign officials through transformative science and technology solutions; and develop negotiating strategies.
  • Strengthen U.S. national and energy security through cooperation with foreign counterparts and support for DOE programmatic issues. Focuses include U.S. and host country multilateral security; energy policies and associated implications; energy security, fuel diversification, and global energy supplies; exports of U.S. energy and energy technology; nuclear security, energy, and nonproliferation; and commercial investment in and innovation opportunities of energy technologies and resources.
  • Supervise DOE's locally engaged staff (LES) by planning, setting short-term priorities, scheduling work, and assigning tasks based on priorities, assignment requirements, and staff capabilities.
THIS POSITION IS ALSO BEING ANNOUNCED UNDER: 26-NA-MB-XA-00312-DOE

"Please note that the desired locations are subject to change based on availability and operational requirements."

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Subject to Random Drug Testing
  • Must pass a pre-employment drug test.
  • Favorable suitability determination required.
  • Financial Disclosure is required.
  • Must be able to obtain/maintain a Q level Security Clearance.
  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
  • Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification.
  • Level 3 Spanish language proficiency, as measured by the Inter-Agency Language Roundtable (ILR), is required for assignments in Mexico.
  • A 1-year service agreement is required for posts with Danger Pay allowance.
  • A 2-year service agreement is required for all other locations.
  • Many overseas locations require additional access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), which entails separate and additional clearance requirements.
  • A State Department medical clearance is required for the incumbent and his/her accompanying dependents.
  • You must be eligible for a diplomatic passport and applicable visa(s).
  • You must possess health insurance appropriate to an overseas assignment. Transfers between the United States and overseas locations are considered a qualifying life event.
  • A two (2) year trial period may be required. Employees serving on a trial period may be terminated at any time during the trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
  • Please limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred.
Trial periods are required for all excepted service employees. Trial periods served in the same position and agency with no break in service will satisfy the requirement.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA Demonstration Project pay band or GS grade level in the Federal service, i.e., EN-03/NQ-03 or GS-13. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience applying foreign affairs practices, policies, and procedures; building relationships with foreign governments and counterparts (e.g., governments, non-governmental organizations [NGOs], or commercial entities) and/or with U.S. entities with foreign interests (e.g., U.S. Federal organizations that work on foreign policy, U.S. corporations working with foreign governments, etc.); implementing and developing foreign policy; and leading in negotiations with foreign counterparts. This experience must have included a focus on energy-, energy technology-, science-, or nuclear security-related issues.

Examples of Specialized Experience might include (but certainly not be limited to):

1. Negotiating bilateral or multilateral agreements related to energy security, nuclear security, or scientific and technical cooperation in energy-related fields; communicating U.S. Government expectations with regards to a new or existing 123 Agreement for Peaceful Cooperation.

2. Developing bilateral civil nuclear projects with a focus on fuel cycles; analyzing host government legislation on feed-in tariffs to determine the sustainability of U.S. clean energy export programs.

3. Developing background and analytical reports on international issues for senior government or industry officials; implementing international energy-, science-, and/or nuclear nonproliferation-related programs.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

In addition to meeting the specialized experience listed above, applicants must meet the Basic Requirements for the Foreign Affairs (0130) series which include:

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
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
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.

EDUCATION: Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. A written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided with your application in response to this vacancy announcement or be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in you being found unqualified for the position. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education, see the Department of Education website, and for a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

**If you are selected, official transcripts will be required.**FOREIGN EDUCATION: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. A written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided with your application in response to this vacancy announcement or be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in you being found unqualified for the position. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education, see the Department of Education website, and for a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Please Note: If your foreign education has already been accepted by an accredited U.S. educational institution as part of a degree program with that institution, you do not need to provide an evaluation of foreign education but must submit a copy of the transcripts listing the degree from the U.S. accredited institution that accepted your foreign education.

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.

Additional information

  • Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
  • More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
  • All positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
  • All males born after December 31,1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
  • A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified applicant in accordance with the Agency policy and applicable regulations.
  • In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
EEO Policy: Click HERE.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Click HERE.
Veterans Information: Click HERE.
Telework: Click HERE.
Selective Service Registration: Click HERE.

Information about the NNSA Demonstration project can be found by clicking HERE.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will be rated by our application system using the Self-Assessment Rating procedure.

THE APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS WILL BE IN TWO STAGES:

Minimum Qualifications: Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Office will review the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.

Structured Resume Review: The Human Resources Office/ Subject Matter Expert(s) will review the first two pages of your resume to determine your technical qualifications.

Additional documentation (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) may not be considered.

Your application and resume shall demonstrate that you possess the following Competencies. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the Competencies identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified'.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the link below.
https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12895167

National Nuclear Security Administration

The Department of Energy (DOE) Overseas Presence Advisory Board is responsible for governing DOE's overseas presence in order to effectively meet national security objectives, including energy security, nuclear security, and scientific discovery and innovation, implemented outside the United States.

We are seeking highly skilled and talented candidates to carry out the Board's objective of ensuring that the Secretary of Energy and the Department are effectively represented at U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and other diplomatic organizations in a variety of DOE program areas.

The salary indicated above is base salary for the NNSA EN pay band. The applicable Foreign allowances will be applied to the base salary when located at the foreign post. While stationed in DC prior to relocation to the overseas duty station, the DC locality pay of will be applied to the base pay.

Agency contact information

Deborah Shells
Email
deborah.shells@nnsa.doe.gov
Address
Associate Administrator for Management and Budget
24600 20th St SE
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5507
US

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