Foreign Affairs Specialist
Job Location:
Alexandria, VA - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
This position is located in the Defense Technology Security Administration International Engagement Directorate. The DTSAs staff element is responsible for developing coordinating and interpreting Department of War and interagency positions policies plans and recommendations on a broad range of strategic security and regulatory/export control matters involving the transfer of sensitive technology and classified information to international partners and allies.
Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following:
- Provides expert advice and recommendations to DoW senior leadership on complex developments for use in internal DoW interagency including NSC decision-making fora and international engagements.
- Prepares briefings presentations and decision memoranda to support deliberations and decisions by senior management.
- Prepares communications for senior DoW officials on complex defense policy national security technology security defense trade issues and technology release/foreign disclosure processes both orally and in writing for use with national and international audiences.
- Develops or contributes testimony or other presentations to the Congress and accurately represents DoW positions during contacts with Congressional staff.
- Executes independent complex analytical projects using multiple sources of information.
- U.S. Citizenship is required
- Males born aftermust be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period
- Must be determined suitable for federal employment
- Required to participate in the direct deposit program
- This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing
- This position is subject to the DoD Priority Placement Program
- This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information.
- May be required to work other than normal duty hours which may include evenings weekends and/or holidays and/or overtime
In order to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements described below. 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. OR Combination of education and experience: 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. 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.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet the Basic Requirements for the Foreign Affairs (0130) series which includes:
You may qualify at the GS-13 level if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your ability to analyze and evaluate complex national security and foreign policy issues to formulate viable policy options; coordinate and execute technology release/foreign disclosure processes; collaborate in the planning and execution of international policy and engagement projects; apply and adapt standard analytical methodologies to resolve complicated issues where guidelines may be broad; and synthesize information from diverse sources to draft policy recommendations and briefings for review by senior leadership.
You may qualify at the GS-14 level if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your ability to direct and oversee the formulation of national security and foreign policy strategies; manage complex high-visibility international engagement portfolios or directorate-level programs; establish agency-wide analytical frameworks and set policy precedents to resolve unprecedented global challenges; coordinate and execute technology release/foreign disclosure processes; and serve as a principal subject matter expert representing the organization in high-stakes interagency or bilateral negotiations to synthesize competing national interests into unified executive-level policy directives.
You may qualify at the GS-15 level if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your ability to direct and oversee the formulation of national security and foreign policy strategies; manage complex high-visibility international engagement portfolios or directorate-level programs; coordinate and execute technology release/foreign disclosure processes; establish agency-wide analytical frameworks and set policy precedents to resolve unprecedented global challenges; and serve as a principal subject matter expert representing the organization in high-stakes interagency or bilateral negotiations to synthesize competing national interests into unified executive-level policy directives.
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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.
All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume. Your resume may not exceed two (2) pages. For qualifications determinations it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the duration of your creditable experience for qualification requirements you will be removed from consideration.
Read more about what should I include in my federal resume at DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans disabled veterans and preference eligible when they submit as part of their application package a certification of active service in lieu of a DD-214 indicating the service member is otherwise eligible and will be discharged or released within 120 days from the date of submission.. A certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. This certification must include your rank dates of active duty service type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable) and date any terminal leave will begin. It must be signed by or by direction of the adjutant personnel officer or commander of your unit or higher headquarters. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid certification of service with their initial application will be found not eligible. Members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if they are on terminal leave.
Current or Former Political Appointees: Agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years a political Schedule A Schedule C or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.
Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.
ARE YOU QUALIFYING BASED ON EDUCATION or A COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Probationary Periods: As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider: 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.
You must provide sufficient documentation of your education in your resume. You MUST provide a copy of official or unofficial transcripts or degrees in your application package. It may also be acceptable to document your applicable course listing in your resume (course number credits earned etc.). Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency. If selected an official/sealed transcript will be required prior to appointment.
PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate schools definition of one year of graduate study 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information visit: information
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: Accommodation (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 an online application you may request an alternative application. Please send an email to the following address for information on how to obtain an alternative application:
Reemployed Annuitants: Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants (DODI 1400.25 volume 300). Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110 an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative.
Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.
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.
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.
Required Experience:
IC
