Foreign Affairs Specialist

Duties

Plans, develops, evaluates and recommends FAA policies for meeting international civil aviation objectives and operational responsibilities. Consults with FAA operational services, FAA representatives and International Area Offices; other U.S. Government agencies, such as the Departments of State, Commerce, and Defense; U.S. industry associations and representatives of U.S. Embassies and foreign governments, including civil aviation officials in those countries; and representatives of international and regional groups such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), the Latin America Civil Aviation Commission, etc.

Applies experience and advanced technical knowledge applicable to his/her discipline to accomplish assignments and to develop plans and techniques to improve programs and policies. Develops and presents analysis supporting proposed agency policies, positions and specific programs directed toward attainment of FAA international aviation objectives.

Coordinates or leads FAA participation in, and assists in developing U.S. policy and positions for our attendance in regional international civil aviation organizations' activities, to ensure adequate FAA representation and to further our civil aviation objectives. Assists in developing recommendations on extent to which the FAA should and will accept responsibility for execution of international programs or projects.

Coordinates with responsible officials internal and external to the FAA to determine and articulate responsibilities to be assumed by the FAA in connection with foreign aviation technical assistance of the United States Government. Plans and/or coordinates programs and documents decisions and arranges for the resources (personnel, equipment, funding) required to execute agreed FAA responsibilities in the foreign technical assistance field.

Contacts are internal and external. May act as a key technical point of contact for assigned activities. Contributes to the preparation of management/technical reports or contractual documents, and may communicate the overall results of a project or work activity to FAA management, the aviation and aerospace industries, and other external parties. Works closely with other U.S. Government departments and agencies, with other FAA offices and with U.S. aviation industry on developing cooperation efforts and agreements, including but not limited to the fields of aviation safety, air traffic control, environment, and emerging technologies.

Answers correspondence and inquires received from Congress, the public and foreign governments and their representatives on a wide variety of FAA international program activities. Develops and assists with presenting briefings, background and issue papers on technical, policy and political aspects of international aviation issues, in preparation for and in support of anticipated meetings, travel, or decision-making by senior FAA officials. Prepares special studies, speeches and arranges the necessary logistical support for such events. Established policies/procedures provide guidance for most assignments, but allow considerable discretion for employee to select the most appropriate approach(es) or recommend new approaches. Assignments often require reviews of policies and precedents under limited guidance of a manager or other employee. As assigned, the incumbent serves as back-up to counterpart employees in the staff for the performance of the above duties for countries other than those for which he/she has primary responsibility.

Resolves all but unique technical problems with limited intervention of management or a more experienced technical specialist