What are the responsibilities and job description for the International Affairs Specialist position at Bureau of Reclamation?
Summary Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a International Affairs Specialist. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment. Duty Location : Washington, District of Columbia Responsibilities The primary duties of the position : Implements Reclamation's reimbursable international activities including technical assistance and training to federal, foreign governmental agencies, and international organizations and non-reimbursable cooperative technology exchange activities. Conducts negotiations with representatives from other federal agencies, foreign governmental entities, international organizations, and other agencies to define the scope of specific Reclamation activities for reimbursable technical assistance and training programs, and non-reimbursable cooperative technology exchange. Implements Reclamation's non-reimbursable visitor programs (no more than one day) for foreign personnel visiting Reclamation facilities to learn more about Reclamation. Represents Reclamation at conferences and meetings with foreign water officials visiting the United States, conducts briefings in the Commissioner's Office or the Department. Serves as a liaison between the Commissioner's Office and other Reclamation offices and other agencies or outside organizations. The incumbent collects and analyzes background information concerning international water issues or other topics and prepares reports or briefing papers. Reviews and interprets relevant legislation, Executive Orders, State foreign-policy material, and Department of the Interior (Department) / Reclamation policies and guidance to develop, articulate, and promulgate policy, directives, and guidance pertaining to the International Affairs Program. Serves as a backup to the Foreign Travel Specialist. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. You must be suitable for federal employment, determined by a background investigation. You must submit a resume and supporting documentation (see Required Documents). You must meet any minimum education and / or experience requirements (see Qualifications). You must submit transcript(s) to verify education requirements (see Qualifications / Education). Who May Apply : Bureau of Reclamation Employees (Competitive) Bureau of Reclamation Employees (Non-Competitive) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Qualifications In order to be rated as qualified for this position, the HR Office must be able to determine that you meet the education and / or specialized experience requirement - this information must be clearly supported in the resume. Applicants applying for a temporary promotion must meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade restrictions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b) and any selective factors, by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants applying for a detail are not required to meet the qualification requirements or time-in-grade restrictions. GS-09 : One year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service OR master's or equivalent graduate degree OR two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. GS-11 : One year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service OR Ph.D. OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related. GS-12 : One year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Definition of Specialized Experience : To meet specialized experience, your resume must describe experience that demonstrates the particular compentencies, knowledge, skills, and abilities as follows : GS-09 : Experience with international organizations involved in water resources development and management; political, economic and technical factors of the International Affairs program for use in evaluating proposals from foreign countries; different cultural practices; and applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to identify and resolve issues and problems of a unique nature. GS-11 : Assisting with the implementation of foreign visitor and foreign technical training programs related to water resources programs, working with domestic and foreign governments, organizations and entities; and general experience with the execution of water resources and related programs in foreign countries. GS-12 : Implementing foreign visitor and foreign technical training programs related to water resources programs, working with domestic and foreign governments, organizations and entities; and specific experience with the execution of water resources and related programs in foreign countries. 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Time-In-Grade : Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower-grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including time-in-grade restrictions and any selective placement factors if applicable, by 10 / 31 / 2024. Education This vacancy announcement allows substituting education for experience at the GS-09 and GS-11 grade levels. You must submit a copy of college transcript(s) (unofficial copy is acceptable) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include the name of the college or university and date the degree was conferred. A typed list of courses, grades, semester / quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not-qualified for the position. You will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify educational qualifications, if selected. An official transcript must be sent directly from the University's Registrar's office and must be provided from the institution awarding the degree. Academic transcripts certified by notary publics are NOT official. Official transcripts must be submitted prior to reporting to work as a condition of employment. Failure to submit official transcripts may be grounds for dismissal or rescission of the job offer. Accreditation : Only education from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education is acceptable to meet education requirements or to substitute for experience, if applicable. For additional info, refer to the Office of Personnel Management and U.S. Department of Education. Foreign Education : To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For additional info, refer to the U.S. Network for Education Information. Additional Information Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and you may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including applicant rights and responsibilities, please visit https : / / www.e-verify.gov / This position is designated as a NON-CRITICAL SENSITIVE National Security position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated National Security Background Investigation (T5 or T5R or T3 or T3R or equivalent - specific level depends on risk level component of position designation) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify registration with the Selective Service System or that the applicant is exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Go to : https : / / www.sss.gov This is a non-bargaining unit position. Travel and per diem will not be authorized and are the responsibility of the selectee. Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
