Trade Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
These positions are located in the Executive Office of the President (EOP), Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR):

1. Office of African Affairs
2. Office of Agricultural Affairs & Commodity Policy
3. Office of Environment & Natural Resources
4. Office of Innovation & Intellectual Property
5. Office of Labor Affairs
6. Office of World Trade Organization (WTO) and Multilateral Affairs
7. Office of China, Mongolia, and Taiwan Affairs

Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
As a Policy Analyst, GS-301-13, your typical work assignments may include the following:

• Serving as negotiator on assigned issues in trade agreement negotiations and in other bilateral engagements with foreign governments;
• Analyzing laws and regulations of foreign countries, as well as international agreements, including World Trade Organization agreements and U.S. trade agreements;
• Developing and executing strategies to advance and achieve U.S. trade policy objectives;
• Building coalitions and consensus among diverse groups and views on U.S. trade policy objectives in negotiations; Assisting with team projects across the U.S. government interagency and contributing substantive expertise on assigned issues to interagency teams;
• Assisting in the preparation of Congressional testimony, briefing materials, talking points, and speeches for the U.S. Trade Representative, Deputy U.S. Trade Representatives, Assistant U.S. Trade Representatives, and other senior executives on trade-related issues.

Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national
• Selective Service registration if a male born after December 31, 1959
• Subject to pre-employment and random drug tests
• Direct Deposit is required
• RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID
• Suitability for Federal employment
• You may be required to complete a one-year trial/probationary period if not previously completed in a competitive or excepted service position.
• Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
• Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).
• This is a Drug Testing Designated Position (DTDP) and is covered by the Executive Office of the President Drug-Free Workplace Program.
• More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: All applicants must meet the qualification requirements outlined below to be considered minimally qualified for this position. The qualification requirements are in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards.
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level or pay band in Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.
ALL QUALIFICATIONS MUST BE MET BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
You may qualify at the GS-13 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector, that demonstrates the following:
1) Supporting negotiations on trade policy issues or issues with respect to agriculture, environment, labor, intellectual property, the World Trade Organization, sub-Saharan Africa, China, Mongolia, or Taiwan; AND
2) Building coalitions and consensus among diverse groups and views on trade or policy issues with respect to agriculture, environment, labor, intellectual property, the World Trade Organization, sub-Saharan Africa, China, Mongolia, or Taiwan to advance and achieve policy objectives; AND
3) Supporting the development of policy positions on trade or issues with respect to agriculture, environment, labor, intellectual property, the World Trade Organization, sub-Saharan Africa, China, Mongolia, or Taiwan; AND
4) Researching and analyzing laws and regulations of foreign countries related to trade or issues with respect to agriculture, environment, labor, intellectual property, the World Trade Organization, sub-Saharan Africa, China, Mongolia, or Taiwan, as well as relevant international agreements; AND
5) Supporting time-sensitive team projects on trade policy or issues with respect to agriculture, environment, labor, intellectual property, the World Trade Organization, sub-Saharan Africa, China, Mongolia, or Taiwan across offices and organizations; AND
6) Communicating the results of research and analysis and advocating policy positions on trade policy or issues with respect to agriculture, environment, labor, intellectual property, the World Trade Organization, sub-Saharan Africa, China, Mongolia, or Taiwan, both orally and in writing.
Desirable Qualification:
A. Sub-Saharan Africa - Developing and advancing U.S. trade and investment policy initiatives with respect to Sub-Saharan African countries, including preparing negotiation strategies and policy positions, engaging foreign governments and stakeholders, and analyzing region specific trade and investment laws and regulations.
B. Agricultural Trade - Developing policy positions and preparing economic analyses and policy options papers on agricultural trade issues; including tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade; and supporting the negotiation, implementation, and oversight of agricultural trade agreements.
C. China, Mongolia and Taiwan - Developing and advancing U.S. trade and investment policy initiatives with respect to China, Mongolia, and Taiwan, including preparing negotiation strategies and policy positions, engaging foreign governments and stakeholders, and analyzing region specific trade and investment laws and regulations.
D. Environment and Natural Resources - Participating in trade-related environmental negotiations; researching and analyzing foreign environment laws and regulations; and contributing to development of trade policy positions related to environmental protection and natural resource management.
E. Innovation and Intellectual Property - Researching and analyzing intellectual property laws and treaties; participating in negotiations regarding intellectual property protection and enforcement; developing trade policies regarding intellectual property.
F. Labor Affairs - Participating in labor-related policy discussions or negotiations; analyzing foreign labor laws and practices, and international labor standards; and contributing to development of policy positions addressing labor standards and workers' rights in the context of trade commitments.
G. World Trade Organization (WTO) and Multilateral Affairs - Addressing trade issues involving subsidies and non-market policies and practices, including those related to state-owned enterprises, supporting negotiations and policy development to address unfair trade practices.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service program (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.
**Notice: More than one selection may be made within 90 days of the issuance of the certificate, if additional vacancies occur.
Promotion to the next highest grade level is neither guaranteed nor implied.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.
Active Duty Military Members MAY apply under this announcement due to the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act. You must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions along with your application for Federal employment. A certification is a document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days from the date of application. If selected, appointment eligibility requirements must be met prior to the effective date of appointment.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs & Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp. For more information about ICTAP eligibility please review the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/ictap/
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm
Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Main_Page
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)
Expand Hide additional information
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.
Benefits
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.