International Trade Specialist

Foreign Agricultural Service • Washington, DC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) links U.S. agriculture to the world, improves foreign market access for U.S. food and agricultural products, builds new markets, improves the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provides food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries. Positions from this announcement will be filled in the Washington D.C. locality area, and/or in the Beltsville, MD locality area. Duties The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: implementing programs to promote trade, economic growth, and trade capacity in global markets; assisting the private sector in developing export markets. Leads a team and/or projects that develop, plan, and conduct in-depth analysis of complex issues that contribute to the accomplishment of the agency mission to expand and maintain international market opportunities for U.S. agriculture. Conducts assessments and develops interpretations of international trade issues, conditions, or events in support of decision-making, policy formulation, or program development by FAS and USDA. Conducts independent research, gathers data, and compiles information or provides recommendations to be included in larger or more detailed reports/policy decisions. Contributes to the development and implementation of country strategies; analyzes key trade and competitiveness issues; and to significant agency policies, decisions, and determinations.

Requirements

• Must be a US Citizen or US National
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check
• Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter
• Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance
• This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis
• Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below
• TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled
• FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: experience of principles of agricultural or international trade, marketing, or capacity building; ability to research and collection of data to report on international trade and/or agricultural markets and programs analysis of trade, marketing, or capacity building data and information and ability to monitor a wide range of information sources and identify significant developments that may affect agricultural trade
• FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: working as a specialist that required experience of one or more aspects of U.S. agricultural marketing and trade; performing research and evaluation of program and trade data and information; coordinating program details, developing checklists, and notifying supervisors when issues arise; develop and coordinate logistical and technical details for trade, marketing, or development programs and summarizing and/or providing advice on trade and/or international agricultural policies and programs
• FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: working as a specialist that required experience of one or more aspects of U.S. agricultural marketing and trade; compiling data for, preparing, and presenting reports on international trade markets and programs; coordinating program details, maintaining checklists, and notifying supervisors when issues arise; lead, develop and coordinate logistical and technical details for trade, marketing, or development; independently brief senior agency officials on logistical and technical details for trade, marketing, or development programs and summarizing and/or providing advice on trade and/or international agricultural policies and programs
• TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university

Nice To Haves

• A Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in international relations, international economics, international business, international trade, business administration or related degrees or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if related (for GS-09)
• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in international relations, international economics, international business, international trade, business administration or related degrees, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related (for GS-11)
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for the GS-11 grade level
• Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements for GS-09/11 grade levels. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution

Responsibilities

• Implementing programs to promote trade, economic growth, and trade capacity in global markets
• Assisting the private sector in developing export markets
• Leading a team and/or projects that develop, plan, and conduct in-depth analysis of complex issues that contribute to the accomplishment of the agency mission to expand and maintain international market opportunities for U.S. agriculture
• Conducting assessments and developing interpretations of international trade issues, conditions, or events in support of decision-making, policy formulation, or program development by FAS and USDA
• Conducting independent research, gathering data, and compiling information or providing recommendations to be included in larger or more detailed reports/policy decisions
• Contributing to the development and implementation of country strategies
• Analyzing key trade and competitiveness issues
• Contributing to significant agency policies, decisions, and determinations

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level