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Duties

The primary purpose of this position is: The incumbent performs professional level work in support of policy development and implementation at a senior level. Analyzes DoD acquisition, security assistance, international armaments cooperation, national disclosure and other policy directives to determine their impact on Air Force international security cooperation policies and programs and advises the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs (SAF/IA) leadership on opportunities and potential impediments, and recommended approaches. Develops and disseminates appropriate policy guidance and directives to MAJCOM and field organizations. Defines and interprets these policy directives and advises field organizations on implementation. Works directly with international focal points throughout the Air Force in identifying opportunities for mutually beneficial collaborative activity with Allies. Forms and leads International Cooperative Agreement Teams (ICATs) for complex, multi-national initiatives in accordance with relevant policy and law. Conducts liaison with key HQ Air Force Staff, other Service, DoD elements, and OSD stakeholders in areas such as requirements, acquisition, science and technology, and plans and operations to ensure a coordinated approach to international security cooperation within the DoD and to the extent possible relevant intelligence community organizations. Represents and communicates Air Force interests and US positions, as authorized, to foreign governments and international organizations. Duties Performs professional level work in support of policy development and implementation at a senior level. Develops strategies for the international agreements (IA) negotiation process, as appropriate, with representatives of allied governments. Advises team personnel on the steps necessary for obtaining Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) authority to conclude the International Agreement. Advises the Armaments Cooperation Division (SAF/IAPC), individual SAF/IA Country Directors, the Director of Policy (SAF/IAP), the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs (SAF/IA) and other organizations regarding the technical and acquisition management aspects of current and potential international armaments cooperation programs. Determines appropriate collaboration vehicle (i.e., Agreement, or Foreign Military Sales case) and carries out staffing actions as appropriate at the Headquarters Air Force level to establish and successfully execute security cooperation program as a result of leading ICATs for proposed international projects and programs.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• 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: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
• Superior qualifications consideration
• This is a Centrally Managed Position in the Operations Career Field. PCS will be paid in accordance with JTR Vol. 2 and applicable Air Force Regulations
• 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
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Clearance
• Incumbent must be comfortable in dealing with high-ranking foreign representatives and able to utilize tact and diplomacy on all occasions
• Regular travel in the United States and abroad is mandatory
• This position meets the administrative exemption criteria for the Fair Labor Standards Act (5 CFR 551.206)

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 Positions, Foreign Affairs Series, 0130. BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST 0130 SERIES: 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. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. 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 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 US statues, treaties and executive branch agreements, and US administration policy governing international cooperation in research, development, and acquisition (ICRD&A). Expert knowledge and understanding of specific US statutes regarding lCRD&A activities such as the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), including the legal requirements for ensuring that USAF international agreement language is in compliance with accepted US standards; Expert knowledge of DoD directives, Air Force policy directives and instructions, and international agreements governing the establishment and management or ICRD&A programs. Working knowledge of precedents, practice and procedures, both formal and informal, of the ICRD&A environment; Mastery knowledge of DoD and military organizational structures sufficient to task appropriate agencies to support Air Force armaments cooperation actions. Additionally, the incumbent must have knowledge of other US Government agencies (Department of State, Department of Commerce. etc.) organization, structure and role sufficient to enable a productive working relationship; Expert knowledge of international cooperative programs and principles of international finance and financial transactions. Specific knowledge of US and DoD policies and practices pertaining to the expenditure of US funds overseas, use of foreign funds on international armaments cooperation projects, and international funds transfer policies and procedures in order to review, revise and/or approve funding needs of international armaments cooperation program managers; and Expert knowledge of the Air Force research, development, test and evaluation organizations, programs, technical objectives and requirements in sufficient detail to allow effective planning, negotiation, and implementation of ICRD&A agreements. The incumbent should be aware of other DoD agencies' science and technology programs. 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: Mastery knowledge of US foreign policy objectives, the US alliance structure, USAF and DoD acquisition policies and their impact on international programs, and the DoD international agreements process. Expert skill in managing and coordinating complex activities in a multi-functional environment involving interaction with senior executive and management levels of the Air Force, DoD, and international customers. Expert ability to apply knowledge and experience to a wide range of other programs and issues with particular emphasis on international activity. Expert ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, by preparing and presenting briefings and reports to senior US and foreign government officials. Ability to develop improvements in or design new work methods and procedures.Ability to analyze, plan, and adjust work operations of subordinate organizational segments to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources. Skill in planning and adjusting work operations to meet changing or emergency program or production requirements within available resources and with minimum sacrifice of quantity or quality of work. Skill in analyzing organizational and operational problems and developing timely and economical solutions. Ability to represent SAF/IA both within and outside SAF/IA to gain support for SAF/IAPC's program goals. 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.

Contacts

• Address HQ USAF and Support Elements - Pentagon 1720 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330 US
• Name: Total Force Service Center
• Phone: 1-800-525-0102
• Email: [email protected]