Summary An independent Federal agency, the Commission provides the President and Congress with high quality analysis and technical support on international trade, tariff and competitiveness issues; hears and decides import injury cases and publishes the United States' tariff schedule. You will find a working environment throughout the Commission that is dedicated to the development of your technical skills and a commitment to provide balance between your work and personal life. Responsibilities The USITC is a dynamic and mission-driven agency. Candidates seeking to join our agency 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. This position is located in the Office of Industry and Competitiveness Analysis, Natural Energy and Resources Division, of the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). Economists independently perform complex research, analysis, project management, and associated· functions which address mission elements critical to agency priorities and objectives. The incumbent serves as an International Economist in the Office of Industry and Competitiveness Analysis, Natural Resources and Energy Division. Independently performs complex research, analysis, project management, and associated· functions which address mission elements critical to agency priorities and objectives; develops and implements significant new project strategies; analyzes key trade and competitiveness issues and contributes to significant agency investigations, decisions, and determinations; participates as a technical advisor for negotiating teams; represents the Commission authoritatively to key industry sectors and associations; plans and manages major and high-priority projects which are central to the agency mission. As an International Economist you will: Develop in-depth industry, market, and technical product knowledge in assigned areas; Assist in the development and implementation of project strategies; analyze key trade and competitiveness issues; and contribute to significant agency investigations, decisions, and determinations; Prepare a variety of standard written materials; Prepare and deliver formal briefings for internal stakeholders; Work independently as a member of a team, perform research, analysis, and associated functions which address mission elements critical to agency priorities and objectives; Participate with negotiating teams representing the Commission to key industry sectors and associations and participates on major projects which are central to the agency mission. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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. Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements, including education, and any selective placement factors described below by the closing date of this announcement. Education may only be substituted in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0300/management-and-program-analysis-series-0343/. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order to be credited towards qualifications. Applicants must have the general and specialized experience outlined below which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. You must meet all the requirements below by the closing date of the announcement and they must be clearly identified in your application, resume, or supporting documents. This includes any general and specialized experience, education, and/or selective placement factors mentioned. These are used to determine if you possess the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to successfully perform in this position. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has not issued qualification standards for attorney positions. However, the USITC sets minimum qualifications for attorney positions and sets forth these qualifications in each vacancy announcement. Both specialized experience, and/or the substitution of education for experience, must have required an in-depth understanding of international economic principles and theories, such as the interplay of economic forces of goods and services across international borders, matters of trade policy, and product or industry competitiveness. To qualify at the GS-09 level, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service. Specialized Experience that demonstrated the ability to perform the functions of the position to be filled and that provided requisite knowledge of any of the following: (i) The production of goods and services in international trade; (ii)The technical and economic factors influencing international trade and competitiveness; (iii) Commodity and trade data collection methods and analytical techniques; (iv) U.S. trade laws, agreements, and policies regulating international commerce. OR Possession of 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree; that provided academic preparation which would allow performance of the full range of professional work of the position within a short period of time, may be substituted for the experience requirement above, and is fully qualifying at the grade 09 level. Education This occupation has a positive education and specialized experience requirement. Specifics are detailed below: Basic Education requirement for all applicants: Possession of BA or higher degree in Economics that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting or calculus. You are required to submit a copy of your transcript(s) to verify this requirement. Education May be Substituted for Experience as Follows: Degree: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree; OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE To combine your experience and education, you must convert the figures to a percentage and add them together. The combined total percentages of your education and experience must equal at least 100% to qualify. To calculate your percentage of undergraduate education, divide the number of undergraduate hours you've completed by 120. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, divide the number of graduate semester hours you've completed by 18. If your education is currently described in quarter hours, convert the quarter hours into semester hours by multiplying the quarter hours by the fraction 2/3. To determine your percentage of qualifying experience, you must divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by the required number of months of experience. Finally, add your experience and education percentages. The two percentages must total at least 100% to be considered qualified. You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts for verification of the education requirements. Unofficial copies are acceptable, however, if selected you will be required to furnish official transcripts. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the above educational requirements. Inadequate or illegible information could result in non-qualification and loss of consideration. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - US Department of Education. Another listing of services that an perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials: http://www.naces.org/members.htm. Additional Information As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a one-year probationary period (competitive service) or a two-year trial period (excepted service) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. You must meet all the requirements below by the closing date of the announcement and they must be clearly identified in your application, resume or supporting documents. This includes any general and specialized experience, education and/or selective placement factors mentioned. These are used to determine if you possess the knowledge, skills and/or abilities to successfully perform in this position. The Commission may offer recruitment incentives for this position.
