Job Summary

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Job Description

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions, Foreign Affairs Series 0130. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: EDUCATION: Degree: Major or equivalent, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in international law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; or 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics/quantitative methods. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts. OR EXPERIENCE: Four years of appropriate experience in one or more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs. Evaluation of Experience: Qualifying experience may have been through residence, study, teaching, business or commercial activities, military service, newspaper work, military or civil government activities, missionary or international relief work, or other experience in foreign countries. AND In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes Knowledge of national security, strategic policy, international relations, foreign affairs and foreign assistance programs and related fields. Specific experience in performing these functions with the NORTHCOM, SOUTHCOM, and AFRICOM nations; Ability to analyze political-military alternatives as they relate to the Agency and the NORHTCOM, SOUTHCOM, and AFRICOM regions; Knowledge of foreign military sales laws, principles and policies, national and international politics, economic and military operations sufficient to serve as a technical expert for an agency in one or more very broad aspects of foreign military sales and other security assistance programs. Involves recommendations of agency policies that are the basis for development and implementation of international programs; Ability to work efficiently under pressure of short deadlines and work cooperatively with others. Must be able to function fluidly in the multi-cultural environment of the foreign military sales arena. An understanding and sensitivity to foreign cultures and history are critical. Must be able to present, in a persuasive manner, Agency positions both orally and in writing to outside agencies; Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing is essential. Incumbent must be extremely sensitive to the highly volatile nature of international relations. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of Security Assistance laws, regulations, policies and procedures; US defense program and policies, doctrine, strategy, and political-military structures as it pertains to the NORTHCOM, SOUTHCOM, and AFRICOM regions; thorough understanding of associated acronyms, directives and instructions. Skill and diplomacy in dealing with senior officials in the Federal Government, industry, and the international community. Knowledge of US foreign policy, legislation/directives, Arms Export Control Act (AECA), the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) and other DoD and Agency directives/regulations governing the sale of military articles and services to foreign governments. Knowledge of historical and geopolitical environment of the NORTHCOM, SOUTHCOM, and AFRICOM areas. Working knowledge of and/or experience with Agency operations, aircraft, and weapons system programs. Ability to communicate effectively both with writing and orally. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.