FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as a Senior Foreign Affairs Specialist and provide analysis advice to SAF/IA and other DAF/USAF/USSF leaders on the political, military, economic, and security assistance aspects of the United States Air/Space Force relations with, and having Interests in, the region and provides direction, integration, management, and supervision of international programs and activities affiliated with the region/international organizations .

Duties

• Serves as the USAF/USSF expert analyst and advisor to SAF/IA on the political-military, security assistance, economic, defense strategy, defense trade and additional relevant information for the countries and governments in the relevant Area of Responsibility.
• Manages the financial resources allocated as necessary including Foreign Military Sales Administrative funds, O&M funds and additional travel funds.
• Establishes, develops, and maintains effective working relationships with the Combatant Command and MAJCOMS, Offices of Defense Cooperation (ODCs), OSW, Department of State, Attaches, and country ambassadors.
• Provides support to other country directors by providing experienced guidance, quality assurance, assistance in task prioritization, and peer mentorship. Instructs employees in specific tasks and job techniques and makes available written instructions. Checks on work in progress and spot checks work not requiring review.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see
• A security clearance may be required
• 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
• Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume
• Student Loan Repayment may be authorized
• 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 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 workload increases. (cont'd)
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• A Bachelors or Master's degree in National Security, International Relations, International Foreign Affairs or program management experience is highly desired.
• Employee must meet the mandatory standards of experience and training and will be required to maintain training and currency in regional political-military affairs throughout employment.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
• This position is designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. The employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing. (cont'd)
• Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety.

Qualifications

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 Position, Foreign Affairs Series, 0130.

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:

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 foreign affairs complex management processes, 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; Comprehensive knowledge and ability to evaluate content of new or modified legislation for projected impact upon the agency's programs or resources, to research and analyze information/situations to provide sound advice and recommendations in support of senior Air Force officials' decision-making, interfacing directly with both countries' embassies in Washington DC and their headquarters throughout all regions by serving as the focal point for all weapon systems sales, transfers, transfers, and support provided through Foreign Military Sales.

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. Knowledge of national security issues and of Security Cooperation laws, regulations, policies and procedures to ensure National and Joint objectives are incorporated across Air Force strategies, plans, policies, and processes.

2. Knowledge of the formulation and implementation of foreign policy of the United States in the conduct of the relations, primarily of a political-military nature, of the United States with other governments; having experience with Air Force operations, aircraft, and acquisition of weapons system programs.

3. Skill and ability to research and analyze information/situations to provide sound advice and recommendations in support of senior Air Force officials decision-making.

4. Skill and ability to plan, organize, and direct team study work and to negotiate effectively with other action officers, senior analysts, and management to accept and implement recommendations, where the proposals involve substantial agency resources, require extensive changes in established procedures, or may be in conflict with the desires of the activity studied.

5. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to justify, defend, present, advocate and/or advise on AF positions-including to very senior audiences.

6. Ability to synthesize complex, often competing, information and viewpoints to determine best course of action and advocate recommendations across the Air Staff and broader DoD, and to senior Air Force leaders.

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.

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.

Help

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.

Review our 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.