Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Executive Office of the President, Office of the United States Trade Representative, Office of South & Central Asian Affairs.

Promotion to the next highest grade level is neither guaranteed nor implied.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As a POLICY ANALYST (TRADE), GS-0301-13/14/15, your typical work assignments may include the following:

• Develops and implements strategies for bilateral trade policy engagement with South and Central Asian trading partners, including through Trade and Investment Framework Agreement mechanisms.
• Provides information and advice to AUSTR and political-level colleagues in connection with development of trade policy towards South and Central Asian trading partners.
• Engages with internal USTR and interagency colleagues, industry and NGO stakeholders, Congressional staff, and foreign government officials in order to advance U.S. regional trade policy objectives.
• Manages logistical aspects of U.S. bilateral trade policy engagements with South and Central Asian trading partners, including interagency participation.
• Presents and defends U.S. policy positions clearly in direct engagements with foreign government officials and domestic U.S. stakeholders.
• Prepares effective and well-reasoned briefing materials for use by senior USTR officials.

Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national
• Selective Service registration is required if you are a male born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
• Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
• New employees to the Executive Office of the President will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
• May be required to successfully complete a one year probationary period.
• You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• Must be determined suitable for federal employment.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: All applicants must meet the qualification requirements outlined below to be considered minimally qualified for this position. The qualification requirements are in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standards.

ALL QUALIFICATIONS MUST BE MET BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility comparable to the next lower grade or comparable pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector.

You may qualify at the GS-13 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector that demonstrates knowledge of U.S. trade policy including provisions under existing trade legislation. Specialized experience must demonstrate all of the following: 1) Exposure to trade negotiations or implementation of trade policies; 2) Knowledge of international trade and development economics to include the role of bi-lateral and multilateral (WTO) trade agreements in the U.S. economy; 3) Experience working effectively with multiple stakeholders in developing trade-related policy objectives; and 4) Effective oral and written communication skills for international negotiations.

You may qualify at the GS-14 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector that demonstrates an advanced knowledge and application of U.S. trade policy including provisions of existing trade legislation and related administrative regulations and procedures, trade policies and practices in South & Central Asia. Specialized experience must demonstrate all of the following: 1) Conducting trade negotiations or implementation of trade policies; 2) Demonstrated knowledge of international trade and development economics and the role of bi-lateral and multilateral (WTO) trade agreements in the U.S. economy; 3) Experience working effectively with multiple stakeholders in developing trade-related policy objectives; and 4) Effective oral and written communication skills for international negotiations, analyses, and justifications with high level officials.

You may qualify at the GS-15 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector that demonstrates an expert knowledge and application of U.S. trade policy including provisions of existing trade legislation and related administrative regulations and procedures, trade policies and practices and the notifications and reports required for compliance with international agreements in South & Central Asia. Specialized experience must demonstrate all of the following: 1) Expert negotiation of trade agreements to include the development, implementation, and oversight of strategies and tactics for negotiations; 2) Expert collaboration skills with other federal agencies, stakeholders, and Congress in the development of common international trade goals and objectives; 3) Expert knowledge of international trade and development economics, particularly including knowledge of economic relations, and the role of bi-lateral and multilateral (WTO) trade agreements in the U.S. economy; and 4) Superior oral and written communication skills for international negotiations, analyses, and justifications with high level officials.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service program (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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

**Notice: More than one selection may be made within 90 days of the issuance of the certificate, if additional vacancies occur.**

A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx ).

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs & Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp . For more information about ICTAP eligibility please review the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/ictap/

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm

Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Main_Page

Non-competitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on non-competitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:

• Person with Disabilities - Schedule A
• Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
• Special Hiring Authorities for Certain Military Spouses
• Other Special Appointment Authorities

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternative Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience.

When the application process is complete, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this announcement. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume and responses to the Occupational Questionnaire, along with your supporting documentation to determine your ability to demonstrate the following competencies:

Customer Service, Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Planning and Evaluating, and Writing

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

If after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and/or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities or you may be found ineligible/not qualified.

The Category Rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category
(except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

All eligibility, qualifications, and time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Top Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your résumé showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed
2. Other supporting documents:

• Cover Letter, optional
• Most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service). Please do not submit an Award SF-50 as it does not identify all the required information needed for eligibility verification.
• DD-214, SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities. DD-214 must be a Member 4 or Service 2 copy which reflects the type of discharge/character of service.
• College transcript(s) only if the position has an education requirement or if you are utilizing education as part of your qualifications.
• Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable.
• Non-competitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable.
• Career Transition Assistant Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)

A COMPLETE RESUME IS REQUIRED. Your resume must show relevant experience (cover letter optional) where you worked, job title, duties and accomplishments, employer's name and address, supervisor's name and phone number, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week & salary. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, please ensure you provide the pay plan, series and grade level i.e. GS-0201-09.
Note: If you upload more than one resume, the last resume received will be the one utilized for consideration.

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DOCUMENT IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS YOUR ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION CLAIMS. You are strongly encouraged to upload any applicable documents with your application package.

ARE YOU QUALIFYING BASED ON EDUCATION or A COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE? You must provide sufficient documentation of your education in your resume. You must provide a copy of transcripts or degrees in your application package if you are utilizing education as your part of your qualification or if the position has a positive education requirement. It is also acceptable to document your applicable course listing in your resume (course number, credits earned, etc...). Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html . All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.

ARE YOU CLAIMING SOLE SURVIVORSHIP PREFERENCE OR 5-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE? You are required to provide legible copy/copies of the following: DD-214 (member 4 copy), "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing all dates of service, as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc.) or Statement of Service/Proof of Service (in lieu of a DD-214) from your command or local Personnel Support Detachment (PSD). The Statement of Service/Proof of Service must provide all dates of service, the expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.).

Disabled veterans, veterans, widows, spouses or the parents of a veteran, who are eligible for 10-point veterans' preference must provide legible copies of the following: Applicable supporting documents as noted on Standard Form-15 (SF-15). To obtain a copy of SF-15, go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf .

Active Duty Service Members are required to submit a statement of service printed on command letterhead and signed by the command. The statement of service must provide the branch of service, rate/rank, all dates of service, the expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.).

Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents contain personal information such as SSN and DOB and some documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove said personal information before you submit your application.