International Trade Specialist (Direct Hire)

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: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/

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-09 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Performing research in one or more of the following areas: international trade issues, U.S. business exports, country standards and regulations, industry sector markets, business practices;
• Prepares written communication and oral presentations on international trade markets and programs; and
• Assists in efforts to coordinate with U.S. and foreign government agencies and the business community to implement U.S. trade policies, strategies or programs

-OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: A master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or Two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or LL.B. or J.D., if relatedin a field of study such as 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-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:A combination of education and experience as described above. Note: Only graduate education in excess of one year is qualifying for combination.

To qualify at the GS-11 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Performing research in at least 2 areas: international trade, U.S. export facilitation, foreign direct investment promotion, trade promotion, trade-policy analysis, the resolution of trade barriers, and/or negotiations;
• Developing and coordinating logistical and technical details for international trade, marketing or development programs; and
• Summarizing and providing advice on international trade policies and programs.

-OR-

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: 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 in 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-

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:A combination of education and experience as described above. Note: Only graduate education in excess of one year is qualifying for combination.

To qualify at the GS-12 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Performing research in at least 2 areas: international trade, U.S. export facilitation, foreign direct investment promotion, trade promotion, trade-policy analysis, the resolution of trade barriers, and/or negotiations;
• Developing strategies for U.S business facilitation, trade and investment promotion initiatives, and global trade-policy positions; and
• Drafting, summarizing, and providing recommendations on international trade policies and programs