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Foreign Affairs Specialist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Office of APL, Office of International Affairs, Office of Asia Pacific, APC-1

Summary

The position is located in the Office of International Affairs, Asia Pacific Division. The incumbent is the top agency focal point on US civil aviation policies, practices and procedures in his/her area of responsibility. He/she must coordinate and manage aviation-related activities within their geographical portfolio with other US Government agencies and industry and with foreign civil aviation and international aviation organizations.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes— - Fully-Paid PCS - Permanent Change of Station - In accordance with applicable FAA Travel regulations, full relocation will be paid (actual expenses). Relocation expenses paid are subject to applicable taxes.
Salary
$137,681 - $213,334 per year

The salary listed above includes a 22.62% locality payment for International assignments.

Pay scale & grade
FV K
Promotion potential
NA
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
50% or less - The job may require up to 50% travel.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Announcement number
AWA-APL-26-3509BR-100486
Control number
885690800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent FAA employees only.

Duties

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The incumbent proactively implements the key focus areas of the FAA International Strategy. Develops initiatives that advance US standards, policies, and procedures to achieve a more safe, efficient, sustainable, global air transportation system and competitive marketplace. Formulates strategies to help achieve a common system of air traffic control and air navigation for both civil and military aircraft. Identifies and executes bilateral arrangements that codify US and foreign commitments to harmonize standards, and/or adoptions of US practices through targeted technical assistance and cooperation arrangements. Collaborates with FAA LOBs to advance the international component of FAA programmatic initiatives as the international standard and to ensure interoperability. Works with International Civil Aviation Organization 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 US interests that efficiently leverage the FAA presence and efficacy in the world. 

Is a recognized expert within FAA and is called upon to provide leadership for highly complex and challenging activities under the minimal directions of a manager or executive. As a core function, the incumbent supports the FAA's international mission by: building critical communications networks and relationships with foreign governments, air navigation service providers, and aviation industry representatives; collecting, analyzing and distributing critical information and intelligence in his/her area of responsibility and using this information to assist FAA decision makers in effectively developing and implementing the FAA international strategic plan and contributing to the FAA's strategic planning by formulating FAA initiatives of appropriate scope and scale to US interests that efficiently leverage the FAA presence and efficacy in the world. 

The incumbent also supervises the workload and expectations of local foreign service employees in the FAA office. As a senior official posted overseas, the incumbent is expected to interact daily with the US Embassy and to participate in a number of Embassy functions, including membership in various committees. Other duties may include attending Embassy meetings, participating in briefings for members of the American business community, or fulfilling additional activities as directed by the Embassy Leadership. 

Contacts are internal and external. Often represents FAA as the primary technical authority for major projects and other areas of FAA responsibility. Formulates and recommends organizational positions on major projects/policies issues to senior management. Prepares, reviews and may approve organizational reports or policies for internal and external distribution. Develops briefings to convey strategic vision or policies to internal and external audiences. Works mainly independently and has broad discretion to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and policies. Work typically is reviewed for success in achieving planned results, not technical merit. 

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
  • This position has a positive education requirement. Transcript(s) required.
  • Domestic and international travel required (50%).

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-J, FG/GS-14 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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE IS DEFINED AS: 

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Experience managing and coordinating aviation related activities with US Government agencies, foreign civil aviation authorities or international organizations, providing advice and guidance to high level officials on US civil aviation policies, practices and procedures, and/or working collaboratively with international aviation partners (i.e. US aviation industry representatives, embassies, foreign governments, international civil authorities) to promote safety and efficiency in global air transportation systems. 

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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.

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 analyzing public opinion and attitudes, evaluating specific conditions, trends, or forces of a foreign country, formulating policy on problems of petroleum resources or fisheries, etc.

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.**

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


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.

If you are a current or former Federal employee, and you currently hold or previously held a position classified in the 0130 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 0130 occupational series.

Applicants, who are not currently in the 0130 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 0130 occupational series, you will be required to submit an official transcript prior to 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.

Preview job questionnaire

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

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.

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.

This Level 3 (Critical-Sensitive; Top Secret) position requires favorable adjudication of a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.

This is an international assignment with an initial tour of duty of 24 months and may be extended. This temporary assignment may be terminated at any time at the discretion of management. Please reference FAA Human Resource Policy Manual (HRPM) EMP 1.16 "Return Rights for International Assignments" for additional information at https://employees.faa.gov/org/staffoffices/ahr/program_policies/policy_guidance/hr_policies/hrpm/emp/emp_sup/emp-1-16/

Final job offer will be contingent upon completion of the necessary medical, drug test, security clearance, and training requirements.

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.

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.

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

This is not a bargaining unit position.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

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.



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.

Federal Aviation Administration

At the FAA, the sky is not the limit—it is just the beginning. Exciting new opportunities are emerging in aviation and aerospace. Significant investments are advancing the research and development of autonomous vehicles, environmentally friendly electric aircraft, high-speed and long-endurance solar-powered aircraft, and new types of space vehicles. Success with these new technologies and vehicle types will introduce new ways to transport people and goods expanding aviation's footprint in transportation. People are our strength. We are a diverse workforce of over 44,000 located nationwide and spanning over 120 occupations to include air traffic control specialists, aviation safety inspectors, engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals. Join us in our mission to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

Agency contact information

Benigno Ruiz
Phone
1 (202) 267-4452
Fax
1 (202) 267-7032
Email
benigno.m.ruiz@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
Employment Services Division
800 Independence Ave, SW, Room 523
AHF-110
Washington, DC 20591
US

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