About the Agency The mission of the U.S. Department of Commerce is to help American businesses thrive, creating jobs here at home while being competitive abroad. Our programs touch the daily lives of the American people in many ways, with a wide range of responsibilities in the areas of trade, economic development, technology, entrepreneurship and business development, environmental stewardship, and statistical research and analysis.
The Office of Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, within the Global Markets unit in the International Trade Adminisitration, is looking for an energetic, innovative and team-oriented international trade professional who will enjoy working in a dynamic and mission-driven organization as an International Trade Specialist. The ideal candidate will have experience in international economic relations, trade and investment policy issues, as well as in practical business considerations facing United States companies operating in foreign markets. The ideal candidate will have familiarity with United States international relations with countries of the former Soviet Union and working proficiency in Russian or another widely used language in the region. The successful applicant will support efforts to improve the global business environment and help U.S. companies and industries compete at home and abroad. These challenges will reward an applicant who can apply creative thinking, exercise personal initiative and leadership, and demonstrate a commitment to personal and organizational excellence, in the service of United States Government policies, the competitive position of United States industry and the strength of the United States economy.
This position is located in the Office of Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, in the International Trade Administration’s Global Markets unit. The mission of the International Trade Administration is to strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. industry, promote trade and investment benefitting the American economy, and ensure fair trade through the rigorous enforcement of U.S. trade laws and agreements.
If you are found to be qualified and your name is forwarded to the hiring manager, you may be contacted for an interview and you should be prepared and available for an interview within 3-4 weeks from theclosing date of this vacancy announcement.
This vacancy is being concurrently advertised under merit promotion procedures as vacancy announcement #ITA-TPFCS-2015-0015. TRAVEL REQUIRED
Occasional Travel
Domestic and international travel is required. RELOCATION AUTHORIZED
No KEY REQUIREMENTS
Applicant must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.
Applicant must successfully complete a background security investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
Must posses proficiency in Russian or another Eurasian Language. DUTIES: Back to top
The individual selected for this position will:
Identify and eliminate market access barriers faced by U.S. companies and industries in markets of the Russia/Eurasia region (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan);
Work to ensure adherence by countries in the region to bilateral and multilateral commitments to maintain fair and transparent trade practices and business regulations;
Prepare departmental briefing materials, speeches and reports on assigned topics;
Represent ITA in interagency and industry meetings;
Participate in bilateral meetings and negotiations with foreign government officials on market access concerns and compliance with trade agreements;
Engage with representatives of American companies and industries to ensure their input into trade and economic policy formulation;
Assist in preempting, ameliorating or removing market barriers abroad;
Respond to increasing requests from the Executive Office of the President and other U.S. Government agencies for written input on business considerations involving foreign markets or foreign competitors;and
Respond to the requests of U.S. embassies throughout the Russia / Eurasia region for information on U.S. business priorities.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Back to top
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.
GS-09 : Applicant must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level (GS-07 or equivalent pay band). Specialized experience is defined as experience with the political systems, economies, trade, and investment policies in Russia or the Eurasia region (defined as encompassing successor states of the former Soviet Union that are not currently members of the European Union); experience with the roles played by the U.S. Government and the business community in the formulation and implementation of U.S. trade and economic policy and foreign policy.
OR
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education that provided you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work of an International Trade Specialist.
GS-11 : Applicant must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade (GS-09 or equivalent pay band). Specialized experience is defined as experience with the political systems, economies, trade, and investment policies in Russia or the Eurasia region (defined as encompassing successor states of the former Soviet Union that are not currently members of the European Union); experience with the cross-cultural context of the Russian or Eurasian region; experience with the roles played by the U.S. Government and the business community in the formulation and implementation of U.S. trade and economic policy, foreign policy, and anti-corruption programs.
OR
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree that provided you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work of an International Trade Specialist.
GS-12 : Applicant must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade (GS-11 or equivalent pay band). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience with the political systems, economies, trade, and investment policies in Russia or the Eurasia region (defined as encompassing successor states of the former Soviet Union that are not currently members of the European Union); experience in dealing with the cross-cultural context of the Russian or Eurasian region; experience with the formulation, coordination, and implementation of U.S. trade and economic policy; experience with foreign policy; and experience with good business and governance practices relating to anti-corruption compliance, and/or experience in marketing and promotion of U.S. products and services in foreign markets.
Must possess business proficiency in Russian or another Eurasian language (defined as Russian, Ukrainian or other language widely used in business and government in successor states of the former Soviet Union that are not currently members of the European Union) .
Graduate Education: Major of study must be in international policy, international commerce, international management, intercultural relations, international development, global economy, government and foreign affairs, international business, international trade, international economics, international affairs, international relations, or other related fields of study.
EDUCATION, OR A COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE, MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-9 and GS-11 LEVEL.
If you wish to substitute education for specialized experience, you must submit a legible copy of your transcripts demonstrating your qualifying education.
Must be available for domestic and international travel 2-4 times a year.
Security Clearance: Any required investigations and clearances must be completed before the selectee can be placed in the position.
Applicants must meet ALL qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. If selected for Federal employment, you will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment" OF-306, prior to being appointed. Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/ No, Multiple Choice questions) and place you in one of three pre-defined categories. These categories are “gold,” “silver,” and “bronze.” However, your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Candidates placed in the “gold” category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.
How you will be evaluated for preference eligibility : Within each category, those entitled to veterans’ preference will be listed at the top of the pre-defined category for which they are placed. Preference eligibles with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category (gold) depending on the position and grade level of the job.
The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:
Knowledge of market-development programs and interagency roles, economic and commercial policy issues in Russia & Eurasian economies; business ethics and governance issues in Russia and Eurasia, and resolution of disputes.
Ability to collaborate with U.S. and foreign embassies, other government agencies, and industry to assist in planning and organization of meetings and visits.
Ability to identify arguments and assist senior office staff in persuading U.S. and foreign officials and industry to support and cooperate with agency-arranged programs in these subject markets.
Knowledge of business development needs of companies for market entry, industry networking and matchmaking as well as market access obstacles and other commercial and trade policy compliance issues involving Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia.
Knowledge of the history, politics, economics and cultures of Russia and other countries of the Eurasia region to establish and maintain contacts and resources to monitor current events.
For more information on category rating, please go to:
http://hr.commerce.gov/s/groups/public/@doc/@cfoasa/@ohrm/documents/content/prod01_009474.pdf
To preview questions please click here .
BENEFITS: Back to top
You can review our benefits at:
https://careerconnector.jobs.treas.gov/doc/vacancy/preview!benefits.hms?orgId=9&jnum=101712
OTHER INFORMATION: ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management’s Career Transition Resources website at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap .
ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement.
A copy of your SF-50 “Notification of Personnel Action”, documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL.
A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. The following link provides information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities:
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)The Department of Commerce 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 Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users can contact the Human Resources Office via the Federal Relay Service, 1-800-877-8339.
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