FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Duties
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Summary:
The primary purpose of this position is: Serve as Foreign Affairs Specialist for multiple European Command (EUCOM) countries as specified by USAFE/ASXA. Prepare, plan, manage and execute USAFE organizational compliance with international treaty law and agreements and all arms control matters affecting USAFE installations, geographically separated units and deployed USAF forces in assigned countries. Also assist with implementation of Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) policy and programs at assigned units. The functions are international in scope including the development of policy and procedures and the execution of treaties specific to the European theater, namely the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) and Vienna Document 2011 (VDOC 11) on Confidence and Security Building Measures (CSBMs). The position is also responsible for ensuring compliance with other international treaties and agreements to include the Open Skies (OS) Treaty and Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). All treaties in application in theater require close work with Host Nation verification agency personnel and military officials. Effective application also requires the detailed understanding of unique host country agreements and practical experience gathered on the ground during the conduct of evaluations, inspections and overflights.

Duties:

• Ensure preparedness for all inspections, evaluations, overflights and other arms control events in assigned countries
• Execute arms control events throughout Area of Responsibility (AOR).
• Ensure required reporting and data notifications are conducted in accordance with respective AFIs and treaty provisions
• Arms control treaty compliance program manager.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• 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 OCONUS 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
• Employees and family members requiring medical/dental care in the overseas location are responsible for obtaining/paying for care. Access for these members to military medical/dental treatment facilities is on space-available/reimbursable basis only.
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• The employee must be a US citizen with a SECRET security clearance.
• May be required to travel TDY as directed by management, sometimes on short notice, traveling by military or commercial aircraft of by any other designated means.
• May be required to work other than normal duty hours and tours of duty such as rotating shifts, overtime, weekends, call back, uncommon tour of duty, holidays, etc. This is especially applicable during peak periods of arms control treaty activity.
• May be required to attend professional seminars and training courses.
• This is a centrally managed position in the International Affairs career field.

Qualifications

Conditions of Employment (cont.):

• This position has been designated as emergency essential (E-E). In the event of a crisis situation, the incumbent or designated alternate, must continue to perform the E-E duties until relieved by proper authority or personnel. The incumbent or designated alternate, may be required to participate in tests alerts and readiness exercise. This position cannot be vacant during a national emergency or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the organization to function effectively. This meets the criteria of an E-E position and requires the incumbent, or designated alternate, be removed from any military recall status.
• The incumbent must sign DD Form 2365, Civilian Employee Overseas Emergency Essential Agreement before assignment to this position. When the position is designated as Emergency-Essential at a later date, the incumbent must agree by signing the DD Form 2365 to remain in the position to support military combat operations.

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 REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:
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 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

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes expert knowledge of treaties unique to the overseas theater including CFE, VDOC 11, OS, CWC and other arms control treaties/agreements necessary to ensure proper implementation in accordance with US Government (USG) treaty obligations while protecting command and US national interests. CFE and VDOC 11 are European only treaties, with no application in the continental United States or any other theater. Expert knowledge requires the attendance at various courses and development programs offered in both CONUS and Europe. Other treaties with more universal application are implemented much differently in theater due to the intricacies of HN laws and policy; Knowledge of cultural, treaty law and governmental structure in the European areas of treaty application to enable development of working relationships with the various HN verification agencies and military formations, as well as knowledge of current social and political issues that impact the arms control mission. Because there is no instruction available for other nation's treaty laws, processes and culture, this knowledge must be gained through contact with HN counterparts, developing the understanding of HN treaty interpretation and application.

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-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 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 CFE, VDOC 11, OS and CWC treaty texts, issues, and policies.

Knowledge of AF doctrine, policy and programmatics in support of arms control and CWMD operations, as well as knowledge of specific host country regulations, policies and laws as they apply to the implementation of treaties and CWMD programs in theater.

Skill in organizing multiple program policies, goals, and objectives, developing long range policy, plans, managing and scheduling work to accomplish the mission. Skill in taking broad based policy and guidance from multiple sources, applying analytical reasoning and translating guidance into organizational plans, policy and directives.

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to include the ability to develop comprehensive, detailed, and coordinated policy, operations orders and plans. Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships in order to interact and deal with representatives from various nations and cultures for information exchange, problem resolution, liaison, coordination, and implementation of treaty compliance activity.

Knowledge of automated information systems to generate reports, briefing materials, and/or comparable documents. Ability to research, analyze, interpret, and apply rules, regulations, policy and procedures. Ability to interpret technical treaty language, assess requirements and implementation measures in vastly varying scenarios.

Displays a high level of skill in both written and oral communication during the conduct of official duties. Presents sensitive recommendations concerning critical issues to wing and staff units.

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 programs. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Important Overseas Information: Applicants interested in applying for overseas locations please click here to review important information regarding the exceptional family member program.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here . To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here .

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here .