International Relations Middle East Jobs (NOW HIRING)

You will serve as an International Relations Specialist, with responsibility for developing both short- and long-range program objectives of the Department of the Interior (DOI) on international issues.
This vacancy announcement is open to Department of the Interior (DOI) employees in the Office of International Affairs (INT) only.

Qualifications:

Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/28/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. If you do not provide evidence that you possess the following selective factor(s), you will be rated not qualified.
Applicants must be able to read, speak, and write French or Arabic or Turkic language in order to qualify. The position will require these foreign language skills in certain instances, particularly when working in these countries. The position will also occasionally require drafting briefing materials or otherwise representing the office's work in one of these languages. Work will include communication with counterparts from foreign governments or other organizations in Middle East or Central Asia regions. Familiarity with the cultural practices, language, and natural resource issues of the region will be critical for success.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Basic Educational Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

Basic Educational Requirements: In addition to the specialized experience requirements for this position, you must meet at least one of the following:

• A. 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. You must submit transcripts. -OR-
• B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in one or more of the social sciences, or in the humanities, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. -OR-
• C. 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-

To qualify for this position at the GS-13 grade level:

• Specialized Experience Requirement: you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:
  • Independently overseeing the planning and logistics for technical exchanges, workshops and/or field activities with foreign government partners, providing remote and on-the-ground coordination as needed, occasionally in a language of the region such as French or Arabic.
  • Reviewing work products and administrative records from English-speaking and foreign language-speaking staff in virtual and in-person settings to ensure accuracy and completeness.
  • Working with technical experts and regulatory agencies on natural resource management issues in the Middle East, North Africa, or Central Asia.
  • Representing Federal approaches to natural resource management issues in the U.S. and communicating these issues with foreign government counterparts.
  • Working on natural resource management issues in the U.S. and overseas, including wildlife trafficking, protected areas management, water resources, energy, and critical minerals.

You must include hours per week worked.

Volunteer Experience: 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:

You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification

Employment Type: OTHER