Duties

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) established the labor attaché program to advance the U.S. Government's international labor and employment objectives in priority countries through the posting of high-level DOL officials in U.S. foreign missions. DOL labor attachés at foreign posts complement the engagement of U.S. State Department officials and strongly support DOL's Bureau of International Labor Affairs' (ILAB) global mission to promote worker rights and livelihoods, particularly for the most vulnerable populations.

Major duties for this position include but are not limited to, the following:

• Works to advance worker rights, improve working conditions, address the workplace exploitation of children and other vulnerable populations, and help the USG understand and respond to changing labor market conditions. Serves as a principal expert on labor and employment issues and developments in Colombia for the Embassy, reporting to the Deputy Chief of Mission.
  
  
• Briefs, verbally and in writing, drafts spot and analytical cables, as needed, and responds to inquiries from USG agencies, in particular DOL, Department of State and USTR, on labor and employment issues and developments. Analyzes impact on USG labor and employment priorities, writes reports on these issues, as needed, and makes recommendations regarding USG policies, programs, and initiatives in Colombia.
  
  
• Provides input for congressionally -mandated reports assigned to DOL, such as Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor, and the List of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor, which together document the current situation of child labor, forced labor and forced child labor in Colombia.
  
  
• Provides technical assistance, to the Colombian government to facilitate legal reforms consistent with international labor standards and effective enforcement of labor laws and regulations. Engages in and reports on discussions with the Colombian government. Facilitates the development and implementation of targeted USG-funded grants and contracts addressing labor and employment challenges in Colombia.
  
  
• Develops and maintains an in-depth understanding and awareness of new, emerging, and/or evolving labor and employment issues and developments (e.g., policies, programs, and initiatives) in Colombia and the international community as a whole. Monitors the country's reform initiatives and ensures adherence with the Road Map and international labor standards, and effective enforcement of labor laws and regulations.
  
  
• Conducts oral briefings as needed and in coordination with other Embassy officials. Responds to inquiries from USG agencies on labor and employment issues and developments especially as they relate to DOL mandates and mission priorities. Provides onsite representation, expert and authoritative advice on all aspects of policies and programs that relate to the complete range of DOL's international mission concerning labor and employment policies and programs, and represents the Secretary of Labor's priorities to the Embassy.

The duties performed at the GS-14 are essentially the same as the GS-15, however, they are performed under closer supervision and with more extensive review than at the full performance level.

Language Requirement- Ability to speak and read Spanish In all styles and forms of the language pertinent to the duties of the position.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
• Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.
• Subject to pre-employment, random drug tests and medical examinations.
• The work schedule may include irregular hours and weekends.

This position requires ability to obtain a medical clearance prior to final offer.

Applicants must meet time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment and qualifications requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the vacancy to be eligible for consideration for selection.

Federal Employees Please Note: Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met and reflects your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. competitive/excepted). In some cases you may need to submit more than one SF-50.

Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.

Notification Concerning COVID-19 Vaccinations. As required by Executive Order 14043 , Federal executive branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to submit documentation of proof of vaccination or to be in the process of requesting an exception to the vaccination requirement before appointment or onboarding with the agency. The agency will provide additional information regarding which forms of documentation can be accepted and how you can request to be considered for a legally required exception from this requirement.

Currently, implementation and enforcement of Executive Order 14043 has been suspended pursuant to an injunction pending further litigation.

Language Requirement- Ability to speak and read Spanish In all styles and forms of the language pertinent to the duties of the position .

Qualifications

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

THIS POSITION HAS A BASIC REQUIREMENT. ALL APPLICANTS MUST MEET THIS REQUIREMENT IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED.

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, in one or more of the social sciences, or in the humanities, 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.

In addition to the meeting the basic requirements of this position, applicants must also possess 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, in the Federal Service.

GS-14: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-13, in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as experience implementing USG international labor mandates and priorities, such as assessing countries' labor laws and enforcement for their effectiveness in complying with international labor standards and developing labor-related policy or program recommendations for senior leadership and U.S. government agencies.

GS-15: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-14, in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as experience implementing USG international labor mandates and shaping relevant priorities, such as assessing countries' labor laws and enforcement for their effectiveness in complying with international labor standards, and developing labor-related policy or program recommendations for senior leadership and U.S. government agencies.

Education

You may not use education to substitute for specialized experience.

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.

If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Additional information

Please note: The selected applicant will be assigned to serve in Bogota at time of appointment or sometime after appointment. The assignment in Bogota is temporary, not to exceed two years and may be extended up to one additional year. Upon completion or termination of the assignment, the attaché will return to a comparable position within ILAB in Washington, DC that is at the same grade level as obtained through their attaché position.

This position is authorized foreign entitlements in accordance with the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR).

This selection is contingent upon host country approval.

The Foreign Service Act and the President's Letter of Instruction to Chiefs of Mission give the COM full authority over and responsibility for the direction, coordination and supervision of all USG executive branch employees in their country, regardless of employment categories or locations, except those under the command of U.S. are a military commanders, on the staff of international organizations, or serving as Voice of America correspondents on assignment. Furthermore, all executive branch agencies with employees under COM authority must keep the COM fully informed of their activities and ensure that all such employees comply fully with all applicable COM directives.

The selected candidate will be relocated to Bogota at government expense and will be eligible for all benefits normally provided to US government employees at the US Embassy in Bogota including Post (Hardship) Differential. When employee is assigned to Bogota the employee will not receive Washington, DC locality pay. Salary will consist of base pay and Post (Hardship) Differential, as detailed below. The (base) pay scale and additional allowance rates for the assignment in Bogota, Colombia are as follows:

Base pay scale:

GS-14: $95,973 - $124,764

GS-15: $112,890- $146,757

Post (Hardship) Differential: 10%



More information on Post Differential and COLA in Bogota may be found at:

https://aoprals.state.gov/Web920/location_action.asp?MenuHide=1&CountryCode=1047

Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have speech disabilities, please dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services.

DOL seeks to attract and retain a high-performing and diverse workforce in which employees' differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve. DOL fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility, and fairness so that all individuals can participate and contribute to their full potential.

Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION , ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION , FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES