Summary

This position is in the Office of International Coordination (OIC). OIC coordinates international activities within FSIS and is the FSIS point-of-contact for foreign and U.S. Federal agencies for those activities. It represents FSIS on trade agreement negotiations and international bodies, it ensures FSIS's international and domestic policies are coordinated and consistent with international trade agreements, and it ensures FSIS policies and procedures are communicated to foreign countries.

Duties

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• Collaborates with the FSIS OIC Assistant Administrator and OIC Deputy Assistant Administrator (DAA) to develop and manage the development of FSIS and U.S. international trade positions.
• Provides critical advice and guidance to OIC personnel and other FSIS personnel on import and export foreign commerce issues.
• Provides critical advice and guidance for multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations and discussions,
• Represents FSIS on complex bilateral and multilateral negotiations with foreign governments on FSIS-related food safety issues.
• Works with other FSIS senior level officials and experts to establish the FSIS position and policy options during trade negotiations
• Prepares reports and documents related to negotiations and foreign commerce in anticipation of potential problems and issues.
• Represents FSIS, as a senior level official and expert with decision making authority, with governments during meetings and negotiations on issues of high complexity, controversy and political sensitivity with high-ranking foreign officials.
• Represents FSIS and the US government broadly, as a senior level official and expert who can speak to policy positions on behalf of FSIS and the US government on issues of high complexity and controversy with international bodies.
• Conducts regulatory reviews and comments on FSIS and foreign country rules and policies, specifically on their impact on imports, exports, foreign commerce, and other multifaceted international issues with political sensitivities.
• Briefs and provides advice and recommendations to senior level officials on issues and policies around importing and exporting FSIS-regulated products in foreign commerce, and complex and controversial international issues.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary or trial period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
• If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
• See "How to Apply" section for additional requirements for this position

Qualifications

Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for grade level advertised.

To qualify for the InternationalProgram Specialist GS15, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the that equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position.

Specialized experience must show evidence of performing administrative management functions in support of organizational operations, including budget, personnel, procurement, and office services. Your resume must show you have performed all duties similar to these:

• Managing, directing, supervising, staffing, coordinating, and evaluating office functions and activities;
• Managing the development of an organization's positions for use in regulatory harmonization efforts that impact food-safety-related issues and policies in the international food safety arena;
• Developing and implementing plans around outreach, communication strategies, and other crosscutting activities in the international food safety arena;
• Developing and directing the implementation of program and administrative policies, goals, objectives, and priorities;
• Anticipating and developing strategies to address issues of potential sensitivity;
• Facilitating coordination and communication among groups to accomplish an organization's mission and strategic objectives;
• Utilizing judgement to solve problems and making recommendations that result in program changes to public policies or programs in the international food safety arena.

For more information on the qualifications for this position, Click Here

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

Education cannot be substituted for experience to qualify at the GS-15 grade level.

Additional information

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.

Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).

Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.

For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website.

Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Refer to PUBLIC LAW 114-47-AUG. 7, 2015 for more information.

If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report.

This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). 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.

Assignment Restrictions: FSIS Directive 4735.9, Office of Field Operations Assignment Restrictions and Rules on Gifts from Regulated Industry, sets out the Agency's requirements regarding employee assignment restrictions, as it pertains to family and personal relationships. Please read before applying.

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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

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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.

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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.