FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Summary

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Duties

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The primary purpose of this position is: To analyze DoD acquisition, security assistance, international armaments cooperation, national disclosure and other policy directives to determine their impact on Air Force international cooperation policies and programs, and advise the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs (SAF/IA) leadership on opportunities and potential impediments, and recommended approaches.

DUTIES :

• Performs professional level work in support of policy development and implementation at a senior level.
• Develops strategies for the international agreements (IA) negotiation process, as appropriate, with representatives of allied governments.
• Advises team personnel on the steps necessary for obtaining Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) authority to conclude the International Agreement.
• Advises the Space Division (SAF/IARS), Director of Regional Affairs (SAF/IAR), the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs (SAF/IA) and other organizations regarding the technical and acquisition management aspects of current and potential Space Security Cooperation programs.
• Determines appropriate collaboration vehicle (i.e., Agreement, or Foreign Military Sales case) and carries out staffing actions as appropriate at the Headquarters Air Force level to establish and successfully execute security cooperation program as a result of leading ICATs for proposed international projects and programs.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at:
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Superior Qualifications may be authorized upon request
• Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Top Secret Clearance.
• This is a Centrally Managed position: PCS expenses if authorized will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations
• This is a Mission Essential position performing a Mission-Critical-Function, which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions.
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• Incumbent must be comfortable in dealing with high-ranking foreign representatives and able to utilize tact and diplomacy on all occasions.
• Regular travel in the United States and abroad is mandatory.

Qualifications

This is a Security Cooperation (SC) position due to the nature of the position's duties and responsibilities. Position requires incumbent to attain DoD Security Cooperation Certification in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2017, Title 10 U.S. C., Sect. 384. Incumbent must maintain "good-standing" in an appropriate Area of Concentration (AoC) and certification level as determined by supervisor. Employee must meet DoD Security Cooperation Workforce Certification requirements applicable to the duties of the position. Incumbent must meet the education and experience requirements for the designated Certification AoC and Certification Level within one year (Basic-level) or two years (Intermediate-level, Advanced-level and Expert-level) from Security Cooperation Workforce Development-Database entry date to become certified in accordance DoD SC Workforce Certification requirements as outlined in the Implementation Guidelines for the DoD SC Workforce Certification Program signed by the Director, DSCA. Incumbent of this position is required to comply with all Department of Defense and Defense Security Cooperation Agency requirements of this certification program. This certification requirement is a condition of employment for this position. Failure to obtain DoD SC certification within the required time may subject the incumbent to adverse action. Incumbent is required to maintain 20 hours of Security Cooperation professional development continuous learning every two-year period to maintain good standing in the DoD Security Cooperation Workforce Certification Program.

This position has been designated by the Air Force as Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety.

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions, Foreign Affairs Series, 0130.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:

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.

AND

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-13, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of US statues, treaties and executive branch agreements, and US administration policy governing international cooperation in research, development, and acquisition (ICRD&A); knowledge and understanding of specific US statutes regarding ICRD&A activities such as the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), including the legal requirements for ensuring that USAF international agreement language is in compliance with accepted US standards; knowledge of DoD directives, Air Force policy directives and instructions, and international agreements governing the establishment and management or ICRD&A programs; working knowledge of precedents, practice and procedures, both formal and informal, of the ICRD&A environment; knowledge of DoD and USAF organizational structures sufficient to task appropriate agencies to support Air Force armaments cooperation actions; knowledge of other US Government agencies (Department of State, Department of Commerce. etc.) organization, structure and role sufficient to enable a productive working relationship; knowledge of international cooperative programs and principles of international finance and financial transactions; knowledge of US and DoD policies and practices pertaining to the expenditure of US funds overseas, use of foreign funds on international armaments cooperation projects, and international funds transfer policies and procedures in order to review, revise and/or approve funding needs of international armaments cooperation program managers.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Mastery knowledge of US foreign policy objectives, the US alliance structure, USAF and DoD acquisition policies and their impact on international programs, and the DoD international agreements process.
2. Expert skill in managing and coordinating complex activities in a multi-functional environment involving interaction with senior executive and management levels of the Air Force, DoD, and international customers. Expert ability to apply knowledge and experience to a wide range of other programs and issues with particular emphasis on international activity.
3. Expert ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, by preparing and presenting briefings and reports to senior US and foreign government officials.
4. Ability to develop improvements in or design new work methods and procedures. Ability to analyze, plan, and adjust work operations of subordinate organizational segments to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources.
5. Skill in planning and adjusting work operations to meet changing or emergency program or production requirements within available resources and with minimum sacrifice of quantity or quality of work. Skill in analyzing organizational and operational problems and developing timely and economical solutions.
6. Ability to represent SAF/IA both within and outside SAF/IA to gain support for SAF/IARS program goals.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (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. Click here for more information.

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.

Temporary and Term Appointments: If you are selected for a temporary or term position in the competitive service, your appointment may be extended to the maximum period allowed by law without further competition.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here .

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

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.