Trade Assistant/International Trade Specialist (Recent College Graduates)
What you'd do
This vacancy is to fill Trade Assistant and International Trade Specialist positions within the Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Industry & Analysis. Under Public Law 115-232, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019, Section 1108, agencies may appoint eligible college graduates to competitive service positions without regard to rating, ranking, and veterans' preference provisions. If interested, you are encouraged to apply.
Major duties
As an Trade Assistant/International Trade Specialist (Recent College Graduates), you will perform the following duties: Conducts research and analysis of trade data, economic conditions, industries, markets, and trade policies affecting U.S. industry. Develops reports, briefings, presentations, and other analytical products on international trade and industry issues. Supports trade promotion and policy initiatives addressing market access, trade barriers, exports, investment, and industry competitiveness. Advises and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders on international trade and industry issues. Represents the organization in meetings, conferences, and other engagements involving U.S. industry, government agencies, and other stakeholders. Position Titles: The position is titled Trade Assistant at the GS-5 level and International Trade Specialist at the GS-7 level and above. The GS-5 through GS-9 positions are developmental positions within the career ladder. The full-performance level of the career ladder is GS-13. Movement to higher grade levels is subject to applicable time-in-grade requirements, performance, and management discretion. The major duties described above, reflect work performed at the full-performance level. This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Trade Assistant/International Trade Specialist (Recent College Graduates) GS-1140-5/7/9, Full Performance Level (FPL) GS-13 positions within the Department of Commerce in the same geographical location or local commuting area with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
What you need to qualify
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%.
Before you apply
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