Foreign Affairs Specialist

Summary

This position is part of the Department of Defense (DoD), Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The incumbent will be responsible for serving as a Foreign Affairs Specialist for International Security Cooperation and Assistance.

Salary Ranges are the following unless statutory/regulatory rates prevail.

For the Fort Belvoir, VA and/or Dahlgren Location: $143,913 to $197,200 (includes 33.94% locality)

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Duties

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This position is being filled under AcqDemo Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) for non-acquisition positions involving 51% or more of time in direct support of acquisition positions within Business and Technical Management Professional Career path.

As a Foreign Affairs Specialist at the NH-0130-4 broadband level, some of your typical work assignments may include:

• Leads U.S. negotiating teams to establish government-to-government agreements (MoUs and Project Arrangements) and coordinates international acquisition processes with OSD.
• Advises senior DoW management on political-military affairs, international acquisition policy, and economics, while developing strategic materials to support executive decision-making.
• Serves as the primary regional liaison to foreign governments, U.S. Combatant Commands, and embassies, managing agency representation at bilateral and multilateral forums and executing high-level international visits.
• Researches foreign technologies to enhance U.S. Missile Defense Systems (MDS) capabilities and educates allied partners on MDS concepts through the execution of international workshops.
• Directs international fact-finding delegations and leads agency technical teams abroad to interpret, execute, and enforce policy and procedural aspects of cooperative MDS agreements.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Occasional Travel
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Overtime: Occasionally
• Tour of Duty: Maxi Flex
• Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Required
• Telework Eligibility: This position is situational telework eligible.
• Employee must obtain/maintain Special Sensitive/ SCI security clearance
• This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.
• Selective Service Requirement: Please visit for more information

Qualifications

You may qualify at the NH 04 Broadband Level, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the NH-03/GS-13 grade level in the Federal service as listed below and must meet 3 of the 5 specialized experience listed below to be qualified:

• Understanding of assigned countries, complex weapon systems, weapon technology programs and master plan, and foreign capabilities in order to develop, establish, and promote agency's position on political-military matters, international acquisition and security assistance and agency policy with international implications in the Missile Defense System BMDS arena.
• Understanding of the DoW Acquisition System and various Security Cooperation tools: cooperative research and development, loans, and security assistance in order to identify and inform senior management and Allied participants of potential areas of benefit for cooperative research.
• Experience with international politics, interagency procedures, export controls, and treaties to lead technical teams abroad in enforcing BMDS cooperative agreements.
• Competency in interpersonal relations in developing and maintaining close working relations with the corresponding ability to apply such knowledge in working cooperatively as part of a team and with Allied partners and industry.
• Proficiency of oral and written communication skills and corresponding ability to apply them in order to develop, prepare and present complex material to various groups (from senior level DoD and external agencies to audiences that include foreign participation).

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.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

Other Notes:

RE-EMPLOYED ANNUITANT: This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at:

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Who Needs to Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov))

This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment.

You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.

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.

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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.

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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.