Summary The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides leadership on food and agriculture issues based on public policy, the best available science and effective management. The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) links U. S. agriculture to the world to enhance export opportunities and global food security for the expansion and growth of U. S. farmers and ranchers. This position provides technical expertise in more than one area to inclde marker devlopment, trade agreements and negotiations. Responsibilities 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: Serves as an FAS contact for a wide range of questions from other agencies and businesses seeking information relative to agricultural trade in the international market. Develops support for the adoption of science-based regulatory systems and standards. Conducts assessments and develops interpretation of international trade issues, conditions, or events in support of decision-making, policy formulation, or program development by FAS and USDA. Analyzes and interprets international trade data and legal issues as applied to financial, political, economic, and scientific issues to include biotechnology, and business parameters of international agricultural trade. Serves as an advisor to other federal and state agencies, the academic community, industry, and scientific and regulatory review boards and meetings. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. Applicants must meet the BASIC QUALIFICATION requirements for this position described below: Undergraduate and/or Graduate Education: Major study -- marketing, business administration, political science, public administration, history, business or commercial law, economics, finance, international trade, or international relations. OR Experience: Experience that demonstrates knowledge of: Marketing that included economic, psychological, and sociological influences bearing upon consumption patterns; Business practices pertaining to wholesale, retail, manufacturers' distribution, distribution costs, finance and tax structure, and similar areas of activity or concern; and International economic and political factors influencing balance of payments, monetary exchange and tariffs, and their bearing on the distribution of commodities. FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Understanding of basic principles of agricultural or international trade, marketing, or technical assistance Analysis of key trade and competitiveness issues. Contributing to a variety of projects and reports. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Assisting in the development and implementation of projects or trade strategies. Analyzing and interpreting international trade data and legal issues. Conducting research, gathers data, and compiles information. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. 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 COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09 and GS-11 GRADE LEVELS: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. To learn more about combining education and experience for this series, click the following: Combining Education and Experience for Administrative and Management Positions Additional Information Clarification from the agency: A present or former member of the Foreign Service may be considered for this opportunity if s/he previously appointed under the Foreign Service Act of 1946, as amended, the Foreign Service Act of 1980, or legislation that supplements or replaces the latter Act; Served in the Foreign Service under an unlimited, career-type appointment and, immediately before separation from that appointment, completed one year of continuous service under one or more non-temporary appointments in the Foreign Service, which may include the service that made him/her eligible for the career-type appointment; and Is appointed within three (3) years after separation from the Foreign Service, or completed at least three (3) years of substantially continuous service under one or more non-temporary appointments in the Foreign Service immediately before his separation from the unlimited, career-type appointment in that Service which may include the service that made him/her eligible for such appointment, or s/he is entitled to preference under Section 2 of the Veterans' Preference Act of 1944, as amended. Any Foreign Service Officer appointed under this provision becomes a member of the competitive service in a career-conditional or career appointment, based on service time. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Recruitment or Relocation Incentives will NOT be considered. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. This position is in a bargaining unit with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 3976.