Interantional Trade Specialist

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.

Major 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.

Qualifications

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: FOR THE GS-09 GRADE 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. OR 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 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. OR 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. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. 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.Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. 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 COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09/11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.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 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

Please see above for education qualification requirement information. If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.