International Trade Specialist Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. DE-25-14-DF Department U.S. International Trade Commission
Salary $55,924.00 to $88,926.00 Grade 7 to 9
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/16/2024 Close Date 12/23/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is located in the Office of Tariff Affairs & Trade Agreements at the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), serving as an International Trade Specialist working in the area of trade agreement matters involving specific products imported into the United States, including analysis of all legal and non-legal changes, ensuring that the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) is accurate for the products assigned.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This position is also being announced under Job Announcement Number MP-25-15-DF. Please review that announcement to determine if you are eligible for consideration under the Merit Promotion criteria.

Duties

  • Maintains chapters of the HTS involving products assigned each time the HTS is revised, inputting the legal and non-legal changes as interpreted by TATA managers and Senior TATA employees for the chapters.
  • Reviews the HTS, change record and HTS History with the objective of identifying issues or inconsistencies.
  • Analyzes identified issues in the legal and non-legal changes to the HTS and inconsistencies and shares relevant information on issues and inconsistencies with TATA managers and senior TATA employees.
  • Creating and maintaining the HTS, tariff and the Trade Agreement program data for TATA's and the Commission's consumption as reviewed and approved by TATA managers and senior TATA employees.
  • Monitors legal and non-legal sources affecting the HTS, such as trade organizations, trade associations, other USG notices, information from the World Customs Organization and World Trade Organization, etc. and shares relevant information with supervisors and colleagues.

Requirements

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

You must meet all the requirements below by the closing date of the announcement and they must be clearly identified in your application, resume, or supporting documents. This includes any general and specialized experience, education, and/or selective placement factors mentioned. These are used to determine if you possess the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to successfully perform in this position.

Basic Requirement:

For the Trade Specialist Series 1140, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has identified Individual Occupational Requirements that must be met.

To be eligible for the International Trade Specialist position you must possess an Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- marketing, business administration, political science, public administration, history, business or commercial law, economics, finance, international trade, or international relations.

OR

Specialized Experience:

Experience that demonstrates knowledge of marketing that included economic, psychological, and sociological influences bearing upon consumption patterns; Business practices pertaining to wholesale, retail, manufacturers' distribution, distribution costs, finance and tax structure, and similar areas of activity or concern; and International economic and political factors influencing balance of payments, monetary exchange and tariffs, and their bearing on the distribution of commodities.

To qualify at the GS-07 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience obtained in the private or public sector that is equivalent to the GS-05 level or 1 full academic year of graduate level education or a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement. Specialized experience is defined as: (1) Analyzing large data sets, (2) Organizing and tracking multiple deadlines and projects, (3) Writing analytical reports.

To qualify at the GS-09 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience obtained in the private or public sector that is equivalent to the GS-07 level or master's or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Specialized experience is defined as (1) Working on or studying international trade issues, (2) Analyzing large data sets, (3) Utilizing quantitative or qualitative software or tools (i.e., Excel, Access), (4) Organizing and tracking multiple deadlines and projects, (5) Writing analytical reports.

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.

Education

GS-07: To substitute education for specialized experience, you must possess 1 full academic year of graduate level education or a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement.

GS-09: To substitute education for specialized experience, you must possess a master's or equivalent graduate degree or
2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.

NOTE: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable which totals at least 100 percent (school transcript required by closing date).

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Surplus or Displaced Federal Employees: The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Programs are available to federal employees that qualify. Those eligible for these programs are granted special priority selection rights. To be considered, you must be deemed well-qualified by receiving a score of 85 or higher. If you are a federal employee claiming CTAP/ICTAP, you must provide the documents listed under the Required Documents section to verify your eligibility. Also, you must indicate in your application that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible. For additional information regarding CTAP/ICTAP, please visit: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you are registered with the Selective Service or are exempt under Selective Service regulations. For additional information concerning Selective Service requirements, please visit http://www.sss.gov/.

Severely disabled persons program information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/hiring/

Cover page to fax paper application - OPM Form 1203fx: http://federalgovernmentjobs.us/forms/opm1203fx.pdf

Assessment Question: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12636126

Vacancy ID number: DE-25-14-DF

Reasonable accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact listed on the vacancy announcement. The decision to grant a reasonable accommodation is made on a case-by-case basis. Verification of information: Any information claimed on your resume and in application materials, such as education, credentials, employment history, etc., will be verified as part of the security clearance process.

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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

The self-assessment questions are related to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies (KSA's). You do not have to respond to the KSA's.

  • Data Management
  • Knowledge of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule
  • Research
  • Written Communication

We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications and/or education on the information provided and evaluate your relevant education and/or work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) mentioned above. Based on the results of this evaluation, you will be placed in one of the following quality categories:

Best: Placement in this category indicates you have the type and quality of experience and/or education that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s).

Better: Placement in this category indicates you have the type and quality of experience and/or education that exceed the minimum qualifications of the position.

Good: Placement in this category, it indicates you meet the minimum qualifications and/or education of the position and are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the position. You may require extensive training and/or orientation in order to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position.

Names of the candidates in the Best category will be sent first to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Within these categories, candidates eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Applicants in other categories will be referred in accordance with category rating procedures.

Your experience is also evaluated using an assessment questionnaire, which is available at the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12636126

Required Documents

To receive consideration, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified below by 12/23/2024

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.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/23/2024 to receive consideration.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.

3. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

4. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

The Vacancy ID is 12636126

Agency contact information

Delon Ford
Address
Office of Tariff Affairs and Trade Agreements
500 E St SW
Washington, DC 20436
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.

To check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the More Information link under the application status for this position.

You will be notified up to four times during the hiring process:Upon receipt of your application

  1. Upon receipt of your application
  2. Upon minimum qualifications determination
  3. After candidates have been referred to the hiring official
  4. Once a selection has been made


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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