FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST in Ramstein, Germany

Summary Click on “Learn more about this agency” button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. Responsibilities The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE/A5I) subject matter expert and analyst for the Eastern and Central European branch within the A5 International Affairs Division in support of ERI activities. Analyzes issues and develops USAFE position and assessments for Central and Eastern European partners’ security cooperation initiative support ERI, in concert with A5IX and A5IE country desk officers Applies systems management, interagency coordination, and security cooperation experience and training to develop ERI plans and new processes/procedures necessary to attain and sustain operations within the MAJCOM’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) Provides expertise and assistance to Host Nation authorities and units on activities involving US military requirement for access and use of Host Nation’s assets/infrastructure Serve as the USAFE-AFAF programmer managing ERI resources Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications This fundamental working knowledge requires extensive exposure and firsthand experience in interacting and successfully negotiating with host nations’ representatives, who are the linchpins to the success of USAFE/EUCOM ability to maintain or expand. Temporary duty will normally be required approximately 90-100 days annually and vary between 5-30 days for a single period of duty, but could exceed 30 days. Member may be designated as part of the Civilian Expeditionary and Security Cooperation Workforce. 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: Degree: 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. 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. 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-12, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge and understanding to work within classified/unclassified strategy related systems (Concept & Funding Request (CFR), SAS Plan, etc.); current and complete knowledge of Security Cooperation standards and recommended practices, DoD and USAF security cooperation and security force assistance policies and directives, and an understanding of the Aviation Enterprise Development construct are necessary; current, and complete knowledge of programs and key support functions, and their inter-relationships with DoD, NATO, and related Host Nation Staffs. 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-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 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: Working knowledge Security Cooperation regulations and standard practices, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and other DoD and DoS directives, USAF Security Cooperation and Security Force Assistance policy directives and regulations, and current Security Sector Assistance laws, rules, regulations, policies and trends are highly desired. Security Cooperation experience is desired. Knowledge of and experience with manned and unmanned platforms, sensors, communication spectrum, and related technologies, and ability to draw conclusions relevant to their application to the USAFE-AFAFRICA mission is highly desired. Knowledge, experience, and current credentials and certifications within the Defense Travel System (DTS), Global Theater Security Cooperation Management Information System (G-TSCIMS), Automated Personnel and Aircraft Clearance System (APACS), Task Management Tracker (TMT), and Government Travel Card (GTC0 programs is desired. Ability to act decisively under stressful situations and to maintain alertness over sustained periods of pressure; coordinate plans and actions, and use judgment to select and take the safest and most effective course of action from among several available choices. Skills to arrive quickly at well-reasoned solutions to complex problems and adjust quickly to different assignments, changing conditions, and workload fluctuations. Knowledge/experience with light aviation, air advisory roles, air mobility/transportation and logistics, and political/military analysis. 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 transcripts with 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. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here. Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 – the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017” suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.