Duties

Summary

This position is with the Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration Headquarters, located in Washington DC. The primary purpose of this position is serve as a Policy Advisor to the Privacy Shield Program Director. The Policy Advisor will research, analyze, report and write memos, briefing papers, speeches, and reports on all issues related to the program.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

This position is responsible for helping to improve the trade posture of U.S. business and industry through increased exports, assisting U.S. exporters and investors, pursuing favorable trade agreements, improving U.S. competitiveness through Privacy Shield, developing approaches to improve the program, and other accomplishments to which the employee will contribute substantially.

In consultation with the Office Director, Deputy Assistant Secretary, and other officials and staff, the incumbent will be responsible for helping to manage complex policy issues related to management and administration of the Privacy Shield Program in:

• Planning and carrying out meetings, official visits, and other contacts involving U.S. and foreign government and private sector contacts to advance U.S. market access and other commercial policy interests related to Privacy Shield;
• Coordinating with ITA, Commerce and USG staff to develop event, policies, and programs that increase market access and opportunities for U.S. firms;
• Directing staff in client assistance efforts overcome barriers to trade;
• Developing and advocating Office recommendations for Bureau and Departmental positions on U.S. policies regarding Privacy Shield. This includes producing concise, precisely articulated briefing materials and persuasive recommendations for senior Department officials regarding issues and policies bearing on U.S. market access and trade and economic relations with countries on Privacy Shield;
• Representing and advising the Director for ODSI, the Deputy Assistant Secretary, Assistant Secretary and other high level ITA and Department of Commerce officials on matters pertaining to market access and expansion of trade for U.S. companies and broader U.S. foreign policy interests.

Travel Required

50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

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 or 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 http://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.
• Bargaining Unit Position: No
• Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid.

Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Specialized Experience requirements as noted below.

Specialized Experience:
GS-14: You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal government, performing the following duties:

• Collecting, compiling, and analyzing trade policy information;
• Preparing briefing papers, decision memoranda, and other written materials on trade policy and data privacy issues;
• Representing trade-related policy positions related to global privacy and data flow issues; and
• Advising on high profile international trade policy issues about the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework.

NOTE(s):

• Experience: Your resume must support your claim of experience or you may be found ineligible.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one), "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).

NOTE: 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. For work in the federal service, include the grade level for the position(s).

Education

Education may not be used or combined to qualify for this position.

Additional information

Promotion Potential: This position is at the full performance level.

Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Commerce requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for Secret clearance as a condition of placement in this Noncritical-Sensitive position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

The physical worksite for this position is located in Washington DC. However, the International Trade Administration is currently under a maximum telework posture due to the COVID-19 pandemic; therefore, this position is currently under a 100 percent telework schedule. The position's telework schedule will likely change in the future when International Trade Administration moves away from its maximum telework posture. At that time, the incumbent will be expected to report to the physical work site in accordance with the updated status requirements of their supervisor. The nature and scope of future telework opportunities will be subject to the unit's telework policy, any applicable bargaining unit agreements, and supervisory approval. Payment of relocation expenses, as applicable, will be paid in accordance with this Job Opportunity Announcement. Non-compliance with the supervisor's telework-schedule requirement could result in adverse action, including separation.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions (you must submit a DD214-member copy 4).

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Career Transition Assistance Program: This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100 ; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview. The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

• Communication
• Foreign Market Research
• Project Management
• Trade Negotiations

Based on your responses, you will receive a score from the Assessment Questionnaire. Those applicants who meets or exceeds the cut-off score will be referred to the hiring manager and may be called for an interview. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you will be removed from consideration or your score will be lowered.

Due Weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager.

For Competitive Merit Promotion and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Applicants: The highest rated candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.

For Noncompetitive Appointment Eligibles: All qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.

To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11136147

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Secret

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your resume showing a detailed description of your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates with the month and year and hours worked per week (if less than 40) for each paid and non-paid work experience job title listed. FOR WORK IN THE FEDERAL SERVICE, INCLUDE THE GRADE LEVEL FOR THE POSITION(S).
2. Other supporting documents ( only submit if applicable to you) :

• Are you claiming veterans' preference? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 or other (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or notice form. Those applying for 10-Point preference must fill out the SF-15 and provide an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions.
• Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP)? If so, submit:
  • A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
  • A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
  • A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  • Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
• Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
  • Position title;
  • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
  • Agency; and
  • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
• Are you a current or former federal employee?
  • A copy of your latest SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'' documenting tenure, position occupied & highest grade/step is needed. You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to demonstrate that you meet time-in-grade requirements. Recommended SF-50s include: promotions and step increases (within grade increases).