USA Staffing

Position Title: International Trade Specialist
Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service
Announcement Number: IMP-12407614-24-FAS-PP Opens in new window
Open Period: Monday, May 13, 2024 to Tuesday, May 28, 2024

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Are you a current Foreign Agricultural Service employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment?

A. Yes

B. No

2. Are you a Foreign Agricultural Service employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised?

A. Yes

B. No

Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

A. Yes

B. No

Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy; AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

A. Yes

B. No

5. Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below:

• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating?
OR
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?

A. Yes

B. No

1. Are you a retiree receiving a civilian Federal or FSA County Annuity?

A. Yes

B. No

2. Have you ever received a voluntary separation incentive payment (VSIP or buyout) to leave the Federal civilian service or FSA County position?

A. Yes

B. No

3. Are you a current or former: Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee?

A. Yes

B. No

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. Your answers will be used to determine your eligibility to apply to this job opportunity announcement. You will be considered under the eligibility option(s) to which you answer YES. Select YES to all eligibility options for which you want to be considered. If you respond NO to meeting the criteria for all the eligibilities, you will not be considered for the position(s) under this announcement.

NOTE: You must submit the required supporting documentation to receive consideration for EACH selected eligibility. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.

4. I understand submission of supporting documentation, e.g., transcripts, DD 214, 50B, performance appraisal may be required for this position. I also understand that my application will not be considered if the required supporting documentation is not submitted or is not submitted in accordance with the time frames indicated in the announcement.

A. Yes

B. No

5. I understand that any correspondence necessary will be conducted via e-mail and sent to the e-mail address I provided in this application process. I must keep this e-mail address current.

A. Yes

B. No

6. I understand that if I am a current or former federal employee, I must submit an SF-50 showing my career/career-conditional status AND a performance appraisal dated within 18 months or as statement detailing the reason for not submitting the appraisal as part of the application package.

A. Yes

B. No

1. GS-13 Choose one answer that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualifications requirements for this position at the GS-13 level.

A. I possess at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service performing work related to the duties of the position described in the vacancy announcement

B. I do not meet the requirement as described above

2. Preparing and administrating a federal program budget.

A. Developing procedures for the preparation of operating budget estimates

B. Coordinating the preparation and/or collection of budget data

C. Assuring that budget estimates are accompanied by justification documentation

D. Monitoring expenses to determine the status of funds

E. Analyzing program goals, initiatives, and/or other factors to determine the effect on existing and/or proposed budgets

F. Providing guidance to staff concerning the availability of funds for anticipated obligations

G. Developing plans for the reallocation of program funds to meet unexpected or changing priorities

H. Assuring that funds are spent in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and requirements

I. None of the above

3. Advising management on administrative policies and procedures.

A. I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.

B. I have had education or training in how to perform this task, but have not yet performed it on the job.

C. I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.

D. I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.

E. I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist or train them in doing this task because of my expertise.

4. Performing administrative functions concerning contracts for the procurement and/or distribution of supplies, personal property, and/or services on behalf of my employer.

A. Approving payments

B. Reviewing contractor proposals resulting from change orders

C. Negotiating delivery schedule changes

D. Monitoring contractors? compliance with existing contracts

E. Assuring that reporting requirements are met

F. Performing pre-award surveys

G. None of the Above

5. Analyzing international trade rules, policies and practices affecting agricultural trade.

A. Gathered and recorded specific information regarding existing trade issues

B. Analyzed specific issues information to identify trade problems

C. Analyzed and researched specific information regarding trade barriers and examined whether these barriers where inconsistent with international trade rules

D. Developed and implemented strategic plans to address and resolve international sanitary and phytosanitary trade issues

E. none of the above

6. Analyze agricultural trade issues.

A. I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.

B. I have had education or training in how to perform this task, but have not yet performed it on the job.

C. I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.

D. I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee

7. Independently complete one or more strategic trade analysis projects/studies which require me to develop and document the following:

A. Problem formulation

B. Coordinating with divergent groups and reaching consensus

C. Development of hypothesis

D. Data Sources

E. Development of findings and recommendations

F. Sampling procedures and requirements

G. Data gathering and acceptance

H. Development of findings and conclusions

I. Preparation of the technical research report and exhibits for internal use

J. none of the above

8. I have direct experience and am proficient in providing comprehensive analysis and briefings to policy decision makers in the form of:

A. Written and verbal descriptions of domestic and international trade issues.

B. Written and verbal descriptions of procedures to resolve trade issues.

C. Presentations.

D. none of the above

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

9. I have participated in one or more special projects, studies, or work groups which were formed to deal with a special need, emergency response, or other ad hoc work requirement related in resolving international trade issues.

A. Yes

B. No

10. Managing projects or program initiatives

A. I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.

B. I have had education or training in how to perform this task, but have not yet performed it on the job.

C. I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.

D. I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.

11. I have direct experience performing the following:

A. Establishing rapport with one or more persons who were detractors or critics when representing organizational policies, procedures or interests

B. Maintaining relationships with external domestic groups that were vitally affected by my organization?s policies and program activities

C. Maintaining relationships with foreign groups important to my organization?s policies and program

D. Representing my organization?s objectives in meetings with stakeholders, partners, or cooperators from other nations

E. Gaining support for my organization?s policies and programs through activities in professional organizations, trade or industry groups, or community organizations

F. none of the above

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

12. I have represented my organization in meetings with representatives of outside groups such as private organizations, other agencies, state and local governments, etc., to build coalitions, resolve competing interests, or reach consensus on emerging or controversial issues.

A. Yes

B. No

13. I have direct experience performing the following:

A. Establishing rapport with one or more persons who were detractors or critics when representing organizational policies, procedures or interests

B. Maintaining relationships with external domestic groups that were vitally affected by my organization’s policies and program activities

C. Maintaining relationships with foreign groups important to my organization’s policies and program activities

D. Representing my organization’s objectives in meetings with stakeholders, partners, or cooperators from other nations

E. Gaining support for my organization’s policies and programs through activities in professional organizations, trade or industry groups, or community organizations

F. None Of Above

14. Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy.

A. Yes, I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by me with my application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that I have truthfully and accurately represented my work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, certifications, accomplishments, etc.). I understand that the information provided is subject to investigation. I understand that misrepresenting my experience or education, or providing false, fraudulent or inaccurate information in or with my application may be grounds for not hiring me or for terminating me after I begin work. I also understand that false or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).

B. No, I do not certify and I understand that by responding "no" to this certification that I will not receive consideration for this position.

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