Duties

Summary

The ideal candidate is inquisitive, has excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and possesses the ability to conduct extensive primary and secondary research and analyze a broad range of product-specific trade and industry information from U.S. firms, trade associations, and other sources. There is the possibility of extension through the school year, and/or for an additional year based on workload requirements and budget availability.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

As an InternationalTradeAnalyst (ITA) Student Trainee, you will perform a variety of duties designed to encourage professional growth and development, through a variety of experiences, including the collection, compilation, analysis, and presentation of data related to international trade in certain products, and the U.S. industries affected by that trade. A portion of the ITA student trainees selected will focus on international trade in chemical products and the U.S. chemical industry, so formal academic training in chemistry or chemical engineering or work experience in the chemical industry is a plus but not required.

You will perform short and medium term projects related to tasks assigned to higher-graded international trade analysts. Specifically, under the guidance of either a supervisory ITA or an ITA, the incumbent will assist in the collection and/or assessment of information relevant to the USITC's Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) petition process, which was mandated by Congress with the intent to enhance U.S. competitiveness. You will conduct qualitative and quantitative research and analysis utilizing a variety of sources and tools, including MS Excel. You will also assist in the analysis and presentation of data in such a way as to be of maximum use to the Commission. You will participate in preparing interpretive reports and use computer applications in research in support of the MTB process. You may also conduct targeted research on international trade issues and topics, including summarizing findings through written products and perform other related duties as assigned. For ITA student trainees focusing on the U.S. chemical industry, familiarity with Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) registry numbers, IUPAC chemical nomenclature, and Colour Index numbers is beneficial.

This appointment does not confer permanent Federal status. However, you may be eligible for conversion to a term or permanent position in the competitive service after successful completion of academic requirements, provided you satisfy the program requirements, and work and funding is available. There is no implied expectation of conversion in this career opportunity.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
7

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen or national
• You will be required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check
• You will be required to execute a Pathways program participation agreement
• You must adhere to Pathways program requirements
• You are required to register for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/03/59
• You are required to provide evidence of enrollment at least until Spring 2020

Qualifications

You must meet all the requirements below by the closing date of the announcement and they must be clearly identified in your application, resume, or supporting documents. This includes any general and specialized experience, education, and/or selective placement factors mentioned. These are used to determine if you possess the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to successfully perform in this position.

You must meet the following United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements for the advertised position. OPM's prescribed Use the Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions series 1101 can be found at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/general-business-and-industry-series-1101b/

Program Qualification Requirements:

1. You MUST be currently enrolled and in a continuing degree program during the course of the internship, or accepted for enrollment, in a qualifying educational institution on a full-time basis, as defined by your program. Your course of study should be in the field of economics, international relations, or other field related to international trade. You MUST SUBMIT documentation to support current enrollment or accepted for enrollment.

2. You must be in good academic standing throughout your college attendance, and have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA overall. In your field of study, you must also have at least a 2.5 in all course work.

BASIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Grade 7 applicants must have 1 year of graduate-level education OR superior academic achievement (upper one-third of your graduating class, GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 overall, or during your last two years of college work) AND 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level. Specialized experience must show: Attention to detail, customer service, oral communication, problem solving skills and abilities; gathering data required for reporting purposes, preparing spreadsheets, memoranda, and reports; gathering information, and performing administrative management functions relating to office operations. Your resume must clearly document this experience.

We will be applying Veteran's preference requirements and OPM qualification standards in making our determinations. The following link contains more detailed information on Student Internships under the Pathways program: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data- oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/final-

Education

Positive education requirement: Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate level education; or Eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement Provision and completion of a bachelor's degree.

F or proof of education , you are required to submit a copy of your transcript(s) or list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade- point average or class ranking. 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. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements, if it has been certified. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - US Department of Education. Another listing of services that an perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. The following link, lists accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials: http://www.naces.org/members.htm

Unofficial transcripts are accepted when applying to the position. Official transcripts will be required if you are selected. Education is also verified as part of the background investigation.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement will result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Additional information

Time period to meet qualifications: All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

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:

Pathway Intern requirements

Analytic writing skill

Knowledge of computer data processing, database management, and computer programming

Ability to work in a team environment

Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methodology and tools

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.

We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications and/or education on the information provided and evaluate your relevant education and/or work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) mentioned above. Based on the results of this evaluation, you will be placed in one of the following quality categories:

Best: This highest category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience and/or education that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s).

Better: This higher category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience and/or education that exceed the minimum qualifications of the position.

Good: This lowest category will be used for those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications and/or education of the position and are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the position. Candidates may require extensive training and/or orientation in order to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position.

Names of the candidates in the Best category will be sent first to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Within these categories, candidates eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Applicants in other categories will be referred in accordance with category rating procedures.

To preview the assessment questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10602599

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

1. Resume: Your resume or any other written format you choose should contain the required information as specified in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. Insufficient information will result in an ineligible rating.

2. Occupational Questionnaire: A completed job-specific occupational questionnaire submitted through your Application Manager account.

3. Transcripts: You MUST submit a copy of your college transcript(s) with your application (unofficial transcripts are acceptable with the initial application). If selected, an official/sealed college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment.

4. Proof of Enrollment: You MUST SUBMIT documentation to support current enrollment or accepted for enrollment at least until spring 2020.

5. Veterans' Preference: If claiming veterans' preference, you must indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume.

A. For 5-point veterans' preference, you must provide:

a copy of your DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge which shows the type of discharge and dates of active duty (Member 4 copy preferred).

B. If you are currently on active duty, to receive 5-point preference you must provide an official statement of service from your command/unit which states:

• your branch of service;
• period(s) of service;
• campaign medals or expeditionary medals earned
• expected discharge type and date; and
• date you will be separated or be on approved terminal leave

If you supply a statement of service at this stage, your preference/eligibility will be verified by a DD 214 prior to your appointment with our agency.

C. To receive 10-point veterans' preference, you must provide: -any documentation required by this form to support your claim.

If we cannot verify your 10-point preference status, you will receive 5-point preference if you meet the requirements. You can obtain an SF-15 through this link: http://www.opm.gov/forms/standard-forms/.

To access to your DD 214 online, please visit: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/.

6. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles:
You must submit the following documents:

• a copy of your agency notice;
• a copy of your most recent performance rating; and
• a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.

7. Transcripts: (for Individual Occupational Requirements and/or Substitution of Education for specialized experience): You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts for verification of the education requirements. Unofficial copies are acceptable, however, if selected you will be required to furnish official transcripts. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the above educational requirements. Inadequate or illegible information could result in non-qualification and loss of consideration. The option for uploading your transcripts is missing from this announcement. You may email me your transcripts at kevin.cason@usitc.gov. Your transcripts will be uploaded into your application.
Your transcript must contain:
name of academic institution;

• list of courses
• credit hours
• major(s)
• grade-point average or class ranking

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - US Department of Education. Another listing of services that an perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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 .

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.