Duties
As a Policy Analyst, GS-301-13, your typical work assignments may include the following:
- Serving as negotiator on assigned issues in trade agreement negotiations and in other bilateral engagements with foreign governments;
- Analyzing laws and regulations of foreign countries, as well as international agreements, including World Trade Organization agreements and U.S. trade agreements;
- Developing and executing strategies to advance and achieve U.S. trade policy objectives;
- Building coalitions and consensus among diverse groups and views on U.S. trade policy objectives in negotiations;
- Assisting with team projects across the U.S. government interagency and contributing substantive expertise on assigned issues to interagency teams;
- Assisting in the preparation of Congressional testimony, briefing materials, talking points, and speeches for the U.S. Trade Representative, Deputy U.S. Trade Representatives, Assistant U.S. Trade Representatives, and other senior executives on trade-related issues.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Must be a U.S. citizen or national
- Selective Service registration if a male born after December 31, 1959
- Subject to pre-employment and random drug tests
- Direct Deposit is required
- RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID
- Suitability for Federal employment
- You may be required to complete a one-year trial/probationary period if not previously completed in a competitive or excepted service position.
- Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
- Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).
- This is a Drug Testing Designated Position (DTDP) and is covered by the Executive Office of the President Drug-Free Workplace Program.
- More than one selection may be made from this announcement.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: All applicants must meet the qualification requirements outlined below to be considered minimally qualified for this position. The qualification requirements are in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards.
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level or pay band in Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.
ALL QUALIFICATIONS MUST BE MET BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
You may qualify at the GS-13 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector, that demonstrates the following:
1) Supporting negotiations on trade policy issues or issues with respect to agriculture, environment, labor, intellectual property, the World Trade Organization, sub-Saharan Africa, China, Mongolia, or Taiwan; AND
2) Building coalitions and consensus among diverse groups and views on trade or policy issues with respect to agriculture, environment, labor, intellectual property, the World Trade Organization, sub-Saharan Africa, China, Mongolia, or Taiwan to advance and achieve policy objectives; AND
3) Supporting the development of policy positions on trade or issues with respect to agriculture, environment, labor, intellectual property, the World Trade Organization, sub-Saharan Africa, China, Mongolia, or Taiwan; AND
4) Researching and analyzing laws and regulations of foreign countries related to trade or issues with respect to agriculture, environment, labor, intellectual property, the World Trade Organization, sub-Saharan Africa, China, Mongolia, or Taiwan, as well as relevant international agreements; AND
5) Supporting time-sensitive team projects on trade policy or issues with respect to agriculture, environment, labor, intellectual property, the World Trade Organization, sub-Saharan Africa, China, Mongolia, or Taiwan across offices and organizations; AND
6) Communicating the results of research and analysis and advocating policy positions on trade policy or issues with respect to agriculture, environment, labor, intellectual property, the World Trade Organization, sub-Saharan Africa, China, Mongolia, or Taiwan, both orally and in writing.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service program (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.
Desirable Qualification:
A. Sub-Saharan Africa - Developing and advancing U.S. trade and investment policy initiatives with respect to Sub-Saharan African countries, including preparing negotiation strategies and policy positions, engaging foreign governments and stakeholders, and analyzing region specific trade and investment laws and regulations.
B. Agricultural Trade - Developing policy positions and preparing economic analyses and policy options papers on agricultural trade issues; including tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade; and supporting the negotiation, implementation, and oversight of agricultural trade agreements.
C. China, Mongolia and Taiwan - Developing and advancing U.S. trade and investment policy initiatives with respect to China, Mongolia, and Taiwan, including preparing negotiation strategies and policy positions, engaging foreign governments and stakeholders, and analyzing region specific trade and investment laws and regulations.
D. Environment and Natural Resources - Participating in trade-related environmental negotiations; researching and analyzing foreign environment laws and regulations; and contributing to development of trade policy positions related to environmental protection and natural resource management.
E. Innovation and Intellectual Property - Researching and analyzing intellectual property laws and treaties; participating in negotiations regarding intellectual property protection and enforcement; developing trade policies regarding intellectual property.
F. Labor Affairs - Participating in labor-related policy discussions or negotiations; analyzing foreign labor laws and practices, and international labor standards; and contributing to development of policy positions addressing labor standards and workers' rights in the context of trade commitments.
G. World Trade Organization (WTO) and Multilateral Affairs - Addressing trade issues involving subsidies and non-market policies and practices, including those related to state-owned enterprises supporting negotiations and policy development to address unfair trade practices.
**Notice: More than one selection may be made within 90 days of the issuance of the certificate, if additional vacancies occur.
Promotion to the next highest grade level is neither guaranteed nor implied.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.
Active Duty Military Members MAY apply under this announcement due to the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act. You must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions along with your application for Federal employment. A certification is a document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days from the date of application. If selected, appointment eligibility requirements must be met prior to the effective date of appointment.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs & Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp. For more information about ICTAP eligibility please review the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/ictap/
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm
Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Main_Page
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)
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.
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.
In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience.
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.
You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
- Oral Communication
- Research
- Teamwork
- Written Communication
- Soft Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Stress Tolerance
- Accountability
The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link:
https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12975869
Required Documents
Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Resume: For qualification determinations, your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Your resume must include detailed information as it relates to the responsibilities and specialized experience for this position. Evidence of copying and pasting directly from the vacancy announcement without clearly documenting supplemental information to describe your experience will result in an ineligible rating. This will prevent you from receiving further consideration. Note: If you upload more than one resume, the last resume received will be the one utilized for consideration. Please limit your resume to 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.
2. A complete application Questionnaire
3.
Veterans: If claiming VEOA, VRA or 30% Disabled Veteran - Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD-Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge). This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD-Form 214. If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces. Active-Duty Service Members are required to submit a statement of service printed on command letterhead and signed by the command. The statement of service must provide the branch of service, rate/rank, all dates of service, the expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.).
4.
Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of a SF-50,
Notification of Personnel Action. The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1". Employees eligible under an
OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2".5. Promotion Consideration: If you wish to be considered as a promotion candidate and your SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirements. You will need to provide additional SF-50s which clearly demonstrates you meet the time-in-grade requirements (examples of appropriate SF-50s include Promotions, Within-Grade, Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s with an effective date more than one year old).
5. Other Optional supporting documents
:
- Cover Letter
- Most recent Performance Appraisal
- Worker's Compensation Separation: Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50.
- Disability Annuity Termination: Notification from OPM of disability annuity termination AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held.
- Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment Eligible: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing your eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
- Certain Military Spouses Eligible under E.O. 13832: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, that lists you as authorized to accompany the Military member to the new duty permanent station; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (VA Letter); and/or verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage).
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents contain personal information such as Social Security Number and Date of Birth and some documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove said personal information before you submit your application.