FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Summary Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as the senior advisor and principal focal point to the Chief, International Airmen Division (SAF/IAPA), on all matters related to personnel management, training, and policy guidance for Department of the Air Force participation in the Defense Attache Service (DAS) and the Defense Security Cooperation Service (DSCS). Responsibilities Policy Development & Representation. Provides authoritative policy interpretation, guidance, and management actions to ensure effective utilization of USAF personnel assigned to U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide. Program Oversight & Personnel Management. Oversees policy, guidance, and program management for the selection, screening, and training of Air Force officers and NCOs for duty in the DAS and DSCS. Functional Management & Manpower Oversight. Incumbent Serves as Functional Manager for the Defense Attache Specialist AFSC (8P100) and supports the AF Functional Manager for Air Attaches and SCOs (FAQ AFSC 16F). Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications This position has been designated by the Air Force as a 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. A Bachelors or Master's degree in National Security, International Relations, International Foreign Affairs or program management experience and Senior Service School program (e.g., Air War College, National War College, RAND Fellows) is highly desirable. Must be willing to work outside normal duty hours when tasked to respond to senior leaders on short notice, high pressure issues; overtime may be required as well as frequent travel (up to 25%) both within CONUS and overseas for extended periods (1-2 Weeks) fluing military or on a commercial aircraft. BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST 0130 SERIES: A Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) or a degree with a 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. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. Courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown above. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. 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. Evaluation of Experience: Qualifying experience may have been through residence, study, teaching, business or commercial activities, military service, newspaper work, military or civil government activities, missionary or international relief work, or other experience in foreign countries. AND In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: 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, 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 Mastery knowledge of wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of Dow, DIA, CCMD, DSCA, and USAF policies, procedures, and regulations governing DAS and SCO duty assignments. Must possess detailed knowledge of DAS and SCO operations-including Security Cooperation and Dow HUMINT policies-in order to recruit, screen, and nominate fully qualified foreign affairs personnel. This position requires work that is complex, managing and providing political-military affairs expertise and policy oversight of Air Force plans, programs, and requirements involving international affairs for assigned AOR; directs Security Assistance programs in the regions and national security issues to ensure National and Joint objectives are incorporated across Air Force strategies, plans, policies, and processes. Expert knowledge of analysis, formulation and implementation of foreign policy of the United States in the conduct of the relations, negotiating effectively with management to accept recommendations relating to the political-military nature of the United States with other governments working with the US Ambassador's staff and their Country Teams to assess and support country requirements in the regions. 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: Knowledge of the Defense Attache Service (DAS) and Defense Security Cooperation Service (DSCS) missions, policies, and operations sufficient to recruit, screen, nominate, and support qualified USAF personnel for diplomatic assignments. Knowledge of Air Force and Dow personnel systems and interagency processes (AFPC, DIA, DSCA, CCMDs, and State Department) and of the diplomatic environment abroad to effectively manage assignments, training, and manning requirements for Attaches and seas. Knowledge of international political, social, economic, and cultural conditions sufficient to negotiate, advocate, and represent Air Force interests in interagency and international forums, and to provide accurate policy recommendations to senior leaders. Skill in staff management to plan, organize, and direct the work of subordinates, allocate resources, oversee screening and training programs, and ensure effective program execution. Ability to analyze complex personnel, policy, and manpower issues; develop courses of action; and provide authoritative, persuasive guidance to senior leaders, assignment managers, and interagency stakeholders. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, to prepare and deliver senior-level briefings, issue papers, and formal recommendations, and to coordinate with Air Force, Dow, and interagency counterparts at all levels. 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 transcripts with 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.