Clarification from the agency

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) The public Veterans

This position is located in the Office of Industry and Competitiveness Analysis, Advanced Technology and Machinery Division, of the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). This division is responsible for covering manufactured products including (but not limited to) automotive and other transportation equipment, semiconductors and other electronic products, and heavy machinery equipment. International Economists maintain broad, current subject matter knowledge of the industries, products, and markets assigned to the Division, as well as a deep understanding of the issues, programs, and policies that impact either segments of, or the entirety of, specifically assigned products, markets, and industries.

As an International Economist you will:

• Provide technical guidance and advice on the most appropriate method or procedure of analysis and evaluation in response to a wide range of projects relative to the market, economics, or competitive posture of the assigned industries or products.
• Formulate project methodologies by identifying operational and analytical techniques that accomplish project objectives and produce explicit findings. Provides historical insights and advice based on proven techniques and procedures.
• Provide guidance on alternatives and resolutions to problems. Foresees the pros and cons of alternative solutions and explains them to other program and management staff.
• Communicate with representatives from industry, providing information, referral, or assistance and requesting information on industry operations and trends. Receives, analyzes, and resolves inquiries or complaints from industry and other government agencies.
• Independently prepare written materials on complex topics. Prepares and delivers formal briefings for a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Independently provide complex research, analysis, project management, and associated functions which address mission elements critical to agency priorities and objectives; develops and implements significant new project strategies; analyzes key trade and competitiveness issues and contributes to significant agency investigations, decisions, and determinations; participates as a technical advisor for negotiating teams; represents the Commission authoritatively to key industry sectors and associations; plans and manages major and high-priority projects which are central to the agency mission.

When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses. NOTE: Career ladder promotions are subject to supervisor approval, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• You will be required to successfully complete a background investigation.
• You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period
• Males born after 12/03/59 must be registered for Selective Service

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements, including education, and any selective placement factors described below by the closing date of this announcement. Education may only be substituted in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook General Schedule Qualification Standards (opm.gov). Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order to be credited towards qualifications. Applicants must have the general and specialized experience outlined below which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.Both specialized experience, and/or the substitution of education for experience, must have required an in-depth understanding of international economic principles and theories, such as the interplay of economic forces of goods and services across international borders, matters of trade policy, and product or industry competitiveness.

You must meet both the Basic Requirement and the Specialized Experience to qualify for this series as described below.

BASIC REQUIREMENT

A. Degree: Economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to meeting the education requirement above. You must also meet the experience requirement below.

To qualify at the GS-09 level, you must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 obtained in the federal or private sector which demonstrates all of the following, as it pertains to advanced technology and machinery industries: (i) The production of goods and services in international trade; (ii)The technical and economic factors influencing international trade and competitiveness; (iii) Commodity and trade data collection methods and analytical techniques; and (iv) U.S. trade laws, agreements, and policies regulating international commerce.

OR

GS-9 level, you may qualify using one of the following education: Possession of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree relative to this position.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

The SME review is related to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies (KSA's). You do not have to respond to the KSA's.

• Trade and Technical Expertise
• Research and Data Analysis
• Communication
• Teamwork, Project Management, and Leadership

BASIS OF RATING: Your resume will be evaluated by a Subject Matter Expert Panel (SME). 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.

If you are selected for an interview, you can expect a structured panel interview process, which will include between 2 and 4 members.

Your experience is also evaluated using an assessment questionnaire, which is available at the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12903893

To receive consideration, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified below by 03/23/2026

1. Resume: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.

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

3. 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/.

4. 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.

5. Education Documentation: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.

6. Cover Letter. This is optional.

Next steps