Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Executive Office of the President (EOP), Office of the United States Trade Representative, Office of Innovation and Intellectual Property. The incumbent coordinates and conducts research and analytical projects focused on trade and investment issues.

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

Responsibilities

As a TRADE POLICY RESEARCH COORDINATOR, GS-0301-9/11/12, your typical work assignments may include the following:

• Reviews, analyzes and summarizes U.S. and foreign trade and investment policies and practices, laws, regulations and other measures, negotiating proposals, economic and trade data, and other information relating to the mission of the Office of Innovation and Intellectual Property.
• Assists other Office of Innovation and Intellectual Property personnel in compiling information to be used in briefing materials, etc.
• Assists other Office of Innovation and Intellectual Property personnel in formulating and developing U.S. policy positions on trade and investment issues relating to the mission of the Office of Innovation and Intellectual Property.
• Serves on and participates in intra-agency and interagency research teams.
• Uses a variety of software to prepare reports, charts, graphs, tables, etc.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12

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 a Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). Failure to do so may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
• Must possess the selective placement factor to receive further consideration.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

This position has a Selective Placement Factor that must be met in order to be considered for the position:
Ability to read, write, and speak Mandarin (Chinese) in order to research, analyze and interpret documents and other information

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.

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

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.

GS-09: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level or pay band in Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector performing the following duties: 1) Research foreign country laws and regulations, as well as international treaties; 2) Review economic and trade data in light of U.S. trade policy and interests; 3) Communicate in a team setting the results of research and analysis orally and in writing; 4) Knowledge of the process of developing of U.S. policy positions on trade-related intellectual property issues; 5) Participate in meetings and other engagement with foreign countries or external stakeholders; 6) Knowledge of the U.S. government interagency process; 7) Utilize office productivity software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; and 8) Utilize online sources to research foreign country laws and regulations, international treaties, and economic and trade data;

OR

A master's or equivalent graduate degree;

OR

A 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.B. or J.D., if related.

GS-11: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or pay band in Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector performing the following duties: 1) Research and analyze the intellectual property laws and regulations of foreign countries, as well as international treaties related to intellectual property, including the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and intellectual property chapters of U.S. trade agreements; 2) Analyze economic and trade data related to intellectual property in light of U.S. trade policy and interests; 3) Communicate the results of research and analysis orally and in writing, including oral briefings and written reports; 4) Assist with the development of U.S. policy positions on trade-related intellectual property issues; 5) Organize meetings and other engagement with foreign countries or external stakeholders; 6) Participation on the U.S. government interagency policy or negotiation teams; 7) Utilize office productivity software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to prepare reports, charts, tables, graphs, and presentation slides; and 8) Utilize online sources to research foreign country laws and regulations, international treaties, and economic and trade data;

OR

A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree;

OR

A full year of progressively higher-Level graduate education leading to such a degree;

OR

A LL.M., if related.

GS-12: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector performing the following duties: 1) Design and lead research and analytical projects on the intellectual property laws and regulations of foreign countries, as well as international treaties related to intellectual property, including the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and intellectual property chapters of U.S. trade agreements; 2) Develop and lead analytical projects on economic and trade data related to intellectual property in light of U.S. trade policy and interests; 3) Effectively communicate the results of research and analysis orally and in writing, including oral briefings and written reports; 4) Assist with the development of U.S. policy positions on trade-related intellectual property issues; 5) Organize meetings and other engagement with foreign countries or external stakeholders; 6) Lead U.S. government interagency teams; 7) Utilize office productivity software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to prepare reports, charts, tables, graphs, and presentation slides; and 8) Utilize online sources to research foreign country laws and regulations, international treaties, and economic and trade data.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the Office of Personnel Management's website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0300/miscellaneous-administration-and-program-series-0301/

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-ADMIN

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

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

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:

• Research and Analysis
• Communication - Oral and Written
• Creativity and Innovation
• Teamwork
• Computer proficiency

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 eligible within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligible 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
Credentialing , 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.