The U.S. International Trade Commission is an independent Federal agency that provides the President and Congress with high-quality analysis and technical support on international trade, tariff and competitiveness issues; investigates and makes determinations in proceedings involving imports claimed to injure a domestic industry or violate U.S. intellectual property rights; and maintains the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
Summary
The U.S. International Trade Commission is an independent Federal agency that provides the President and Congress with high-quality analysis and technical support on international trade, tariff and competitiveness issues; investigates and makes determinations in proceedings involving imports claimed to injure a domestic industry or violate U.S. intellectual property rights; and maintains the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
The Office of Commissioner Peter-Anthony Pappas seeks a candidate who is thorough and detail-oriented, and able to engage with Commission staff at all levels. The candidate should possess superior writing, communication, and organizational skills, and the ability to handle large volumes of information with precision.
Though not required, an ideal candidate would have an interest in learning about the substantive areas of the Commission's work under Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 (e.g., antidumping and countervailing duty investigations), under Section 332 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (e.g., factfinding investigations on international trade), and under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (e.g., intellectual property and competitiveness matters).
As Confidential Assistant to the Commissioner, you will:
Primarily manage the Office of the Commissioner, which includes managing the calendar and files of the Commissioner, scheduling and organizing meetings and events, booking travel, records management, coordinating office workflow, and assisting the other aides to the Commissioner on administrative matters.
Interface with other offices in the agency and work with all levels of staff, as well as outside stakeholders.
Maintain National Security Information, handle confidential business information, and assist the Commissioner with sensitive matters.
Work on special projects involving research or data collection and assist the Commissioner's other aides on their work under Title VII, Section 332, and Section 337. Prior knowledge of and experience working in these areas is not required.
Due to the level of the organization that this position operates in, you will be required to keep confidences, and you must be able to adjust to changes in direction and perform effectively under pressure. There is a high degree of interaction and collaboration with the other Commissioner offices, so the incumbent must have excellent interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and judgment. Sensitivity to confidential matters is required. Though not required, an ideal candidate would have demonstrated experience working in public policy or international trade.
NOTE: THIS POSITION WILL BE FILLED USING THE SCHEDULE C HIRING AUTHORITY. AGENCIES MAY SEPARATE SCHEDULE C APPOINTEES AT ANY TIME IF THE CONFIDENTIAL OR POLICY-DETERMINING RELATIONSHIP ENDS BETWEEN THE INCUMBENT AND THEIR SUPERVISOR.
SCHEDULE C APPOINTEES ARE NOT COVERED BY STATUTORY REMOVAL PROCEDURES AND GENERALLY HAVE NO RIGHTS TO APPEAL REMOVAL ACTIONS TO THE MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD.
You may be required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement
Qualifications
Demonstrated ability to perform the following tasks:
Respond on behalf of a senior staff member or managerial official;
Prepare a variety of correspondence which includes the development of standardized responses or editing to fit a particular task;
Advanced knowledge of computer software which includes selecting the best application for the task and combining programs to prepare advanced documents and reports;
Meeting and greeting of executive level or international visitors;
Serving as a personal assistant to executive-level individuals that required maintaining confidences and handling of sensitive information.
This is a Schedule C position, which does not afford permanent civil service status. If selected, you will be required to sign a statement that you have been informed of the employment status of this position.
Education
While there is no positive education requirement for this position, the most highly-qualified applicant would have a minimum of a 4-year academic degree, in a field of study that demonstrates competency in the key requirements of the position. In addition, formal education in the mission of the Commission is highly desirable. We encourage all applications to submit copies of their unofficial transcripts.
Additional information
1. If you are a male applicant who was born after December 31, 1959, you are required to 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 www.sss.gov.
2. Time period to meet qualifications: All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
3. Verification of information: Any information claimed on your resume and in application materials, such as education, credentials and employment history will be verified as part of the security clearance process.
4. Excepted service appointments: This position is in the Excepted Service and therefore, does not confer rights to permanent Civil Service status.
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.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
Knowledge of administrative service functions, regulations, and procedures
Experience with the preparation of documents using a variety of administrative computer software
Ability to work independently, organizing and accomplishing work
We will evaluate your relevant education and/or work experience as they relate to the competencies, knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) mentioned above. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Based on the results of this evaluation, you will be referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration.
Your resume, and supporting documentation for education, should contain sufficient information for us to make a valid determination that you fully meet the qualification requirements for this vacancy. We do not make inferences and can only consider the information you provide to us. Insufficient resumes and application packages will result in loss of consideration. Your experience and education is also evaluated using an assessment questionnaire, which is available at the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13077120
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.
1. Resume: Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience(s) and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. In order to fully evaluate your application and receive proper credit, your resume should include: (1) paid and non-paid experience, job title, dates held (month and year for qualifying purposes to receive credit), number of hours worked per week, and salary (2) knowledge of the subject matter and technical skills pertinent to this position; (3) specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work; and (4) names and phone numbers of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this job opportunity announcement for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of consideration.
2. Occupational questionnaire: A completed job-specific occupational questionnaire should be submitted through your Application Manager account.
3. Transcripts: If you have attended college, we would appreciate receipt of a copy of your transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable with the initial application. If selected, your education is verified as part of the security-processing.
4. Current or former Federal employees: Please submit a copy of an SF-50 that shows the highest grade and salary you have held, as well as your most current annual performance appraisal. Do not submit award SF-50s, or justification for awards as part of your application package.
5. Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to this position, which is in the excepted service; however, the Commission considers veterans' preference eligibility a positive factor in the hiring of all positions. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include such information in their cover letter, or resume, and submit supporting documents (e.g. DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active duty) as part of their application package. Although the point preference system is not used as in the competitive service, applicants eligible to claim a 10-point preference must submit a Standard Form 15 (SF-15), and documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed, as listed on the SF-15. Specific information is available on the Office of Personnel Management website at: http://www.opm.gov.
Upon closing of this announcement, we will first review your application to ensure that it is complete. If you fail to submit all the required documentation, you will be ineligible for further review or consideration. Completed applications are then evaluated for basic qualifications requirements, and for the skills needed to perform the duties of the position, as described in the vacancy announcement and identified by the Selecting Official for the position.
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 complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/15/2026 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.
3. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
4. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.
To check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the More Information link under the application status for this position.
You will be notified up to four times during the hiring process:
Upon receipt of your application
Upon minimum qualifications determination
After candidates have been referred to the hiring official
Once a selection has been made
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
1. Resume: Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience(s) and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. In order to fully evaluate your application and receive proper credit, your resume should include: (1) paid and non-paid experience, job title, dates held (month and year for qualifying purposes to receive credit), number of hours worked per week, and salary (2) knowledge of the subject matter and technical skills pertinent to this position; (3) specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work; and (4) names and phone numbers of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this job opportunity announcement for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. This information should be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of consideration.
2. Occupational questionnaire: A completed job-specific occupational questionnaire should be submitted through your Application Manager account.
3. Transcripts: If you have attended college, we would appreciate receipt of a copy of your transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable with the initial application. If selected, your education is verified as part of the security-processing.
4. Current or former Federal employees: Please submit a copy of an SF-50 that shows the highest grade and salary you have held, as well as your most current annual performance appraisal. Do not submit award SF-50s, or justification for awards as part of your application package.
5. Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to this position, which is in the excepted service; however, the Commission considers veterans' preference eligibility a positive factor in the hiring of all positions. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include such information in their cover letter, or resume, and submit supporting documents (e.g. DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active duty) as part of their application package. Although the point preference system is not used as in the competitive service, applicants eligible to claim a 10-point preference must submit a Standard Form 15 (SF-15), and documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed, as listed on the SF-15. Specific information is available on the Office of Personnel Management website at: http://www.opm.gov.
Upon closing of this announcement, we will first review your application to ensure that it is complete. If you fail to submit all the required documentation, you will be ineligible for further review or consideration. Completed applications are then evaluated for basic qualifications requirements, and for the skills needed to perform the duties of the position, as described in the vacancy announcement and identified by the Selecting Official for the position.
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 complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 10/15/2026 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.
3. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
4. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.
To check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the More Information link under the application status for this position.
You will be notified up to four times during the hiring process:
Upon receipt of your application
Upon minimum qualifications determination
After candidates have been referred to the hiring official
Once a selection has been made
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
