International Trade Specialist

Position description

As an International Trade Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

Performs a broad range of organization-specific responsibilities, including U.S. export facilitation, foreign direct investment promotion, trade promotion through trade-policy analysis, the resolution of trade barriers, and negotiations, and associated functions that address businesses, industries, and/or markets critical to U.S. business, investment, and trade priorities and objectives. Recommends positions on complex trade issues, policy positions, or negotiating strategies, and develops and disseminates trade information to U.S. businesses or associations. Writes clear and succinct briefing papers, memos, and other materials for senior government officials. Provides clears and concise verbal briefings on commercial and economic issues to senior government officials and business groups. Works with business groups and companies to resolve problems related to international trade and investment. Incumbents operate in a dynamic domestic and international business environment requiring dedicated effort to sustain expertise, to collaborate, and to maximize the benefits to all U.S. business interests.

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other International Trade Specialist GS-1140-9/11/12 FPL 13 positions within the Department of Commerce in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

This position is also advertised under ITA-GM-ST-25-12608292, which is open to Merit Promotion eligible applicants. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.

Qualifications

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use of possession of drugs.
• A probationary period may be required.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/).
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• Drug Test Required: Yes
• License required: No
• Pre-employment physical required: No
• Bargaining Unit Position: No
• Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): No
• Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: will not be paid

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements 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: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.

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.

To qualify at the GS-09 Level:

Specialized Experience: Applicant must possessone full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 in the federal government. Specialized experience is the following:

• Performing research on international trade issues or U.S. business exports;
• Preparing memos or white papers and oral briefs; and
• Analyzing economic data.

OR

Substitution of Education:Master’s or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree Or LL.B. or J.D., if related 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.

OR

Combination of education and experience that meet the total qualification requirements.

To qualify at the GS-11 Level:

Specialized Experience: Applicant must possessone full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 in the federal government. Specialized experience is the following:

• Performing research in one or more of the following areas: U.S. export facilitation, foreign direct investment promotion, trade promotion, trade-policy analysis, the resolution of trade barriers or negotiations;
• Providing guidance on trade issues, policy positions, or negotiating strategies; and
• Operating in an international business or trade policy and promotion environment.

OR

Substitution of Education:Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree Or LL.M., if related 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.

OR

Combination of education and experience that meet the total qualification requirements.

To qualify at the GS-12 Level:

Specialized Experience: Applicant must possessone full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the federal government. Specialized experience is the following:

• Performing one or more of the following: U.S. export facilitation, foreign direct investment promotion, trade promotion through trade-policy analysis, the resolution of trade barriers or negotiations;
• Providing guidance based on empirical trade information with interpretation and prediction of influences of economic, market, political events; and
• Developing strategies for U.S. business facilitation, trade and investment promotion initiatives, regulatory, and global trade-policy positions.

Application instructions

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