Serve on the International Services Trade Support Team, as a member of the coordinating body for; regional trade issues, collaborative trade resolution, emergency response, domestic partner communication, trade impact prevention, and trade negotiations. International Services provides leadership and collaborates with foreign counterparts at diplomatic, technical, and policy levels to promote science-based regulatory transparency that leads to safe agricultural trade.

Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Provide analysis and strategic guidance to develop and promote trade policies that advance USDA goals. Collaborate with all relevant APHIS program staffs and IS overseas personnel to ensure effective and consistent communication on SPS trade issues in region of responsibility. Draft complex policy memorandum, briefing and position papers for senior officials, the private sector, and representatives of other countries to clarify USDA SPS positions. Represent APHIS during interagency trade policy development processes. Serve as APHIS lead during free trade negotiations and be responsible for clearing privileged negotiating texts and other documents with relevant APHIS program areas. Identify and prioritize and present to senior managers policy options for both commodity - and country-specific strategies for resolving SPS-related barriers to trade in the region of coverage. Assist in the identification and preparation of trade arbitration cases for resolution through different international bodies. Maintain network of professional contacts with APHIS and USG inter-agency staff, and private-sector stakeholders among others. Deliver presentations and remarks to other APHIS programs, USG agencies and non-governmental groups regarding APHIS' trade management role.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- marketing, business administration, political science, public administration, history, business or commercial law, economics, finance, international trade, or international relations. Or Specialized Experience equivalent to a GS-05 or above that demonstrates knowledge of international economic and political factors influencing balance of payments, monetary exchange and tariffs, and their bearing on the distribution of commodities. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must also have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Review and analysis of international trade policies affecting U.S. agricultural imports and exports. Has drafted reports and briefings related to international trade policies and their effect on the U.S. agriculture sector. Has working knowledge of the World Trade Organization, World Organization for Animal Health, International Plant Protection Organization and their regional subsidiary bodies. Has assisted in identifying, assessing, and developing strategies for resolving barriers to international trade in agriculture. Has directly participated in bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations, including assisting in the preparation of negotiating agendas and reporting on the outcomes of these negotiations. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university 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 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

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]