This Trade Policy and Geographic Affairs (TPGA) position provides technical guidance, expertise, and assistance to the Director, Senior Director, and senior USDA leadership to coordinate the development and implementation of assigned Division and FAS policies and program strategies. This position is in the Bargaining Unit.

Duties

The duties may include but are not limited to: effects high-level consultations of stakeholders, domestically and abroad and provides technical leadership to less experienced staff in areas of expertise. Drafts, contributes to, leads negotiations on, notionally affirms, and leads monitoring of: Tariff reduction agreements and Multilateral agreements and documents negotiated under the auspices of international organizations. Commits the Agency, Department, and U.S. trade policy to courses of action, in anticipation of an agreement signed by the Administrator or Secretary of State. Serves on inter-agency teams such as those led by the National Security Council and in other U.S. government efforts. Negotiates under the WTO or other preferential agreements how products will be “treated,” including seeking improved market access and addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers facing U.S. agriculture. Coordinates the development of policy positions within FAS as well as with State and USTR on trade access problems. Monitors, analyzes, and evaluates technical developments in domestic and international agricultural and trade policies to ascertain effect on U.S. domestic production, exports, and imports. Meets with agricultural trade groups, associations, and individuals to explain trade policy positions and advise how proposed policies would affect U.S. domestic agricultural production, exports, and imports.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 grade level or its non-federal equivalent that included experience in the following areas: monitors, analyzes, and evaluates technical developments domestically and trade policies internationally to ascertain effect on U.S. domestic production, exports, and imports; advocates, and as appropriate negotiates, for favorable tariff and tax levels and analyzes and recommends terms under bilateral and multilateral agreements; and works with U.S. government inter-agency colleagues and stakeholders to build consensus on U.S. trade policy positions. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. 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 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Foreign Agricultural Service Human Capital Management Division 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Dorene Jones
• Phone: 000-00-0000
• Email: [email protected]