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Duties

The primary purpose of this position is: The incumbent of this position serves as a country director in the NORTHCOM/SOUTHCOM/AFRICOM regions to build, sustain and expand international relations for the countries of the regions. Responsible for developing, coordinating, and establishing security assistance program strategy unique to the assigned country and theater Responsible for recommending and implementing policy guidance for the direction, integration, management, and supervision of international programs and activities affiliated with the Department of the Air Force concerning country and/or regional responsibility Represents the US Air Force and SAF/IA in discussions and negotiations with senior representatives from foreign governments on prospective and on-going security assistance activity

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• 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/
• 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
• Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
• Pathway applicants within nine months of completing qualifying education are acceptable candidates
• Incumbent must be comfortable in dealing with high-ranking foreign representatives and able to utilize tact and diplomacy on all occasions
• Mobility is a condition of appointment; employee must sign an AF-Wide Mobility Agreement
• A Master’s Degree in International Affairs or Strategic Studies is highly desired
• Employee must meet the mandatory standards of experience and training, and the desired standards of education for an International Affairs level II certification within four years accepting position
• Completion of an Intermediate Service School, (i.e. ACSC, AFLEP, ELDP, AFIT, etc.), within six years accepting position is highly desirable
• Employee should be able to sustain periods of high stress without danger to the individuals health. Work is primarily sedentary in nature and no special physical ability is required to do the work
• Majority of work is performed in an office setting; however, the position does require extensive travel (as much as 25% of time), both within CONUS and overseas, often on short notice and for extended (1-2 week) periods of time
• Language skills in any combination of Spanish, Portuguese, French, or Arabic skills highly desired
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance as a condition of employment.
• This position is Centrally Managed in the International Affairs career field

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. 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 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. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes include knowledge of national security, strategic policy, international relations, foreign affairs and foreign assistance programs and related fields. Specific experience in performing these functions with the NORTHCOM, SOUTHCOM, and AFRICOM nations is desirable; knowledge of foreign military sales laws, principles and policies, national and international politics, economic and military operations sufficient to serve as a technical expert for an agency in one or more very broad aspects of foreign military sales and other security assistance programs. Involves recommendations of agency policies that are the basis for development and implementation of international programs; ability to work efficiently under pressure of short deadlines and work cooperatively with others. Must be able to function fluidly in the multi-cultural environment of the foreign military sales arena. An understanding and sensitivity to foreign cultures and history are critical. Must be able to present, in a persuasive manner, AF positions both orally and in writing to outside agencies. 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-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 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: Knowledge of Security Assistance laws, regulations, policies and procedures; US defense program and policies, doctrine, strategy, and political-military structures as it pertains to the NORTHCOM, SOUTHCOM, and AFRICOM regions; thorough understanding of associated acronyms, directives and instructions. Skill and diplomacy in dealing with senior officials in the Federal Government, industry, and the international community. Knowledge of US foreign policy, legislation/directives, Arms Export Control Act (AECA), the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) and other DoD and Air Force directives/regulations governing the sale of military articles and services to foreign governments. Knowledge of historical and geopolitical environment of the NORTHCOM, SOUTHCOM, and AFRICOM areas. Working knowledge of and/or experience with Air Force operations, aircraft, and weapons system programs. Ability to communicate effectively both with writing and orally 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]