Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
- This position requires a SECRET CLEARANCE. You must be able to obtain and maintain the required clearance.
- You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
- A probationary period may be required.
- Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/).
- If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
- All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
- Bargaining Unit Position: No
- Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): No
- Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: will not be paid
- License required: No
- Drug Test Required: Yes, This position is subject to pre-employment drug testing and random drug testing thereafter.
- Qualifying Education Institution: Any of the educational institutions or curricula that have been accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/
Qualifications
Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Occupational-Series
Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.
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.
To qualify at the GS-5 level:
You must have one year of general experience equivalent to the GS-4 in the Federal Service or its non-Federal equivalent performing the following:
- Researching data; and
- Preparing basic reports, spreadsheets, or other written products.
OR
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in global business management, global public policy, international finance, business administration, textile and apparel studies, political science, economics, marketing, international trade, international business, international affairs, international relations, international economics, or other related fields of study. -OR- A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.
To qualify at the GS-7 level:
You must have I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 in the Federal Service or its non-Federal equivalent performing the following:
- Researching and analyzing trade or economic information; and
- Preparing reports, briefings, spreadsheets, or other written products related to trade activities.
OR
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: One full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement. -OR- SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT: Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. Class standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. Grade-point average (G.P.A.): Applicants must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society: Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. -OR- A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.
To qualify at the GS-9 level:
You must have I have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 in the Federal Service or its non-Federal equivalent performing the following:
- Analyzing trade or economic information to support trade programs, policies, or activities; and
- Coordinating trade-related projects or activities with internal or external stakeholders.
OR
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: A master's or equivalent graduate degree; or two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Graduate education must be in international policy, international commerce, international management, intercultural relations, international development, global economy, government and foreign affairs, international business, international trade, international economics, international affairs, international relations, or other related fields of study. -OR- A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.
Education
COLLEGE GRADUATE HIRING AUTHORITY: This position is being filled under the College Graduate Hiring Authority established by 5 U.S.C. § 3115. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of this authority. See the Required Documents section of this announcement for information regarding documentation required to establish education eligibility under the College Graduate Hiring Authority.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
Additional information
College Graduate Hiring Authority: This position is being filled under the College Graduate Hiring Authority established by 5 U.S.C. § 3115. Appointments under this authority are made without regard to veterans' preference and the provisions governing competitive examining procedures specified in the statute.
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Reasonable Accommodations (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. 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.
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.
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. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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.
Under the College Graduate Hiring Authority, rating, ranking, and veterans' preference do not apply; therefore, applicants will not be rated or ranked.
Applicants will first respond to the minimum qualification questions in the assessment questionnaire. Applicants whose responses indicate that they meet the minimum qualification requirements will be invited through the automated application process to complete the USA Hire assessment(s) associated with this announcement. Applicants whose responses indicate that they do not meet the minimum qualification requirements will not proceed to the USA Hire assessment(s).
Applicants who complete the required USA Hire assessment(s) and are selected to proceed to the next step will have their resume, optional cover letter, and supporting documentation reviewed to verify qualifications and determine eligibility for selection consideration. Applicants who meet the applicable requirements will be referred for selection consideration in accordance with agency procedures.
Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume/application. If any are included, you will be deemed INELIGIBLE for consideration.
- Classified or government sensitive information
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Photos of yourself
- Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process. To preview the questionnaire, click the following link:
https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13033100