Pathways Recent Graduates - International Trade Specialist

Summary The Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, is seeking innovative, results-oriented individuals to join our Pathways Recent Graduate Program. This vacancy is to fill several Pathways Recent Graduate - International Trade Specialist positions. The announcement will close at 11 : 59 p.m., EST, after 175 applications have been received or on the closing date (whichever occurs first). Responsibilities As a Pathways Recent Graduate - International Trade Specialist, you will perform the following duties : Assist in the coordination of trade programs and events. Research, analyze and interpret empirical trade and economic data and information. Summarize International business and / or trade data and information. Participate in meetings or conferences. This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Pathways Recent Graduates - International Trade Specialist GS-1140-9 / 11, full performance level, GS-13, positions within the Department of Commerce in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience. Note : The Department's Recent Graduates Program is a 1-year program in accordance with Title 5, CFR § 362.301. However, subject to approval, a two-year program may be deemed allowable for occupations that require a longer and more structured training program. Recent Graduate may not be converted to a permanent position unless the Recent Graduate fully completes the designated 1 or 2-year program. Requirements Conditions of Employment Applicants must have completed, within the previous two-years, a qualifying associate's, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. Exceptions are made for veterans, as defined in 5 USC 2108 , who, due to military service obligations, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduate Program during the two-year eligibility period described above. Veterans have a full two-year period of eligibility upon their release or discharge from active duty. The eligibility period shall not extend beyond six years from the date of academic completion. This position is being recruited with an opportunity for non-competitive conversion eligibility to a permanent OR term position upon completion of all Recent Graduate program requirements. Conversion is not mandatory nor guaranteed (see Other Information). You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use of possession of drugs. A probationary period may be required. Selective Service : Males born after 12 / 31 / 59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see ). If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. Drug Test : Yes License required : No Pre-employment physical required : No Bargaining Unit Position : No Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450) : No Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense WILL NOT be paid Trial Period / Probationary Period (Excepted Service Appointment "A Trial Period may be required") This position is being recruited with an opportunity for non-competitive conversion eligibility to a permanent position upon completion of all Recent Graduate program requirements. Conversion is not mandatory nor guaranteed (see Other Information). Qualifications Eligibility Requirements : To be eligible for appointment under the Pathways Recent Graduate Program you must meet one of these eligibility requirements : Completion of a degree or certificate from a qualifying education institution within the previous 2 years or you are within 9 months of graduating; or completion of a qualifying career or technical education program (e.g., Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Job Corps, Climate Corps, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps). Veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty; however, eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed 6 years from the date on which the degree, certificate or qualifying career or technical education program was obtained. The date of release or discharge from active duty should be later than the date the degree or certificate was obtained. Qualification Requirements : Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at : Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies / knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. 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. To qualify at the GS-9 Level : You must have one year of specialized equivalent to the next lower grade level (the GS-7) in the Federal service performing the following : Researching data, and analyzing findings. Compiling datasets and preparing reports. Tracking the progress of documents and / or action items and performing follow-up to ensure completion of work assignments. -Or- A Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Master's degree OR LL.B or J.D., if related to the following : international policy, international commerce, international management, intercultural relations, international development, global economy, government and foreign affairs, international business, international trade, international economics, international affairs, international relations, or other related fields of study. -Or- A combination of graduate level education and specialized experience to meet the total qualification requirement. To qualify at the GS-11 Level : You must have one year of specialized equivalent to the next lower grade level (the GS-9) in the Federal service performing the following : Researching trade or economic data, analyzing findings and making recommendations. Coordinating the assembly of complex datasets in the production of reports and / or findings. Tracking the progress of documents and / or action items and performing follow-up to ensure completion. -Or- A 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. -Or- A combination of related graduate level education and specialized experience to meet the total qualification requirement. Note : Applicants who are up to 9 months (maximum) away from completing any of the above academic requirements or from receiving a certificate from a qualifying program, will be considered. Applicant's MUST provide transcripts or legible course listing or documentation that shows the expected academic or certificate completion date. Education See Qualifications Above. Additional Information The following links provide information on various hiring authorities that do not fall under competitive examining procedures; however, they may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures, or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment. Veterans Recruitment Act (VRA) Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) 30% or more disabled veterans Persons with disabilities Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) ICTAP and CTAP Eligibles : CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at : Employee Guide to Career Transition CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents : A copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice). A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade level, and duty location; A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents : A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement; A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and / or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc; A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. PROGRAM COMPLETION AND CONVERSION : Upon completion of the minimum 1-year career development program, Program participants may, at agency discretion, be non-competitively converted without a break in service, to a career or career conditional appointment. There is no guarantee for conversion. To be eligible for conversion, Recent Graduates must : Successfully complete the one year developmental period identified. Demonstrate successful job performance. Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualifications for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted. Complete 40 hours of formal interactive training within developmental period. Sign a Pathways Programs Participant Agreement upon appointment. Meet established goals outlined in the Recent Graduate's Individual Development Plan (IDP). Recommended by supervisor / manager for conversion to permanent OR term position. Additional Pathways Programs information can be found at :