Department: Executive Office of the President
Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia
Salary Range: $121785 - $197200 Per Year
Job Summary: The incumbent serves as a director in one of these offices within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR): Office of African Affairs, Office of Agricultural Affairs & Commodity Policy, Office of Environment & Natural Resources, Office of Innovation & Intellectual Property, Office of Labor Affairs, AND Office of WTO & Multilateral Affairs. **Notice: More than one selection may be made within 90 days of the issuance of the certificate, if additional vacancies occur.
Major Duties:
Qualifications: MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: All applicants must meet the qualification requirements outlined below to be considered minimally qualified for this position. The qualification requirements are in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards. TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level or pay band in Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. ALL QUALIFICATIONS MUST BE MET BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility comparable to the next lower grade or comparable pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Examples of specialized experience are: You may qualify at the GS-13 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector, that demonstrates the following: 1. Planning and pursuing work assignments independently; AND 2. Interpreting basic legislation and agency policy statements; AND 3. Adapting existing precedents and developing new or improved approaches to research, analysis, and policy formulations related to assigned unit/office; AND 4. Conducting analyses, research and policy studies dealing with trade issues affecting assigned unit/office and United Stares (U.S.) trade issues. You may qualify at the GS-14 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector, that demonstrates the following: 1. Analyzing information and suggest options regarding issues; AND 2. Organizing and directing negotiations subject to the general oversight of the Assistant United States Trade Representative (AUSTR) for an assigned area; AND 3. Conducting economic analytical studies and develops reports and recommendations; AND 4. Preparing positions and strategies for consultations and negotiations with foreign governments in assigned areas; AND 5. Assisting in the preparation of Congressional testimony. You may qualify at the GS-15 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector, that demonstrates the following: 1.Leading in United States (U.S.) to international trade negotiations and conferences on issues affecting assigned area; AND 2.Analyzing international economic information and suggesting options regarding critical issues; AND 3. Communicating technical advice to senior officials, other government officials, and the public; AND 4. Assisting in the preparation of Congressional testimony; AND 5. Conducting analyses, research and policy studies dealing with trade issues affecting assigned unit/office and United States (U.S.) trade issues; AND 6. Serving on a variety of task forces and committees related to an assigned area to analyze specific problems or issues. Desired experience should reflect one or more the following specialized areas: a. Sub-Saharan Africa - Developing and advancing U.S. trade and investment policy initiatives with respect to Sub-Saharan African countries, including preparing negotiation strategies and policy positions, engaging foreign governments and stakeholders, and analyzing region specific trade and investment laws and regulations. b. Agricultural Trade - Applying knowledge of U.S. agricultural trade policy and related tariff measures; developing policy positions on agricultural trade issues; preparing tariff analyses, economic studies and policy options papers; and supporting the negotiation, implementation, and oversight of agricultural trade agreements c. Environment and Natural Resources - Participating in environmental related negotiations; analyzing foreign environment laws and regulations; and contributing to development of trade policy positions related to environmental protection and natural resource management. d. Innovation and Intellectual Property -Participating in innovation and intellectual property protection and enforcement, including negotiation, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of bilateral, regional, and multilateral agreements; developing and coordinating U.S. trade policy related to intellectual property and related innovation issues. e. Labor Affairs - participating in labor-related discussions or negotiations; analyzing foreign labor laws and practices; and contributing to development of policy positions addressing labor standards and workers' rights in the context of trade agreements. f. Subsidies and Non-Market Practices - addressing trade issues involving subsidies and non-market policies and practices, including those related to state-owned enterprises, supporting negotiations and policy development to address unfair trade practices. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service program (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.
How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. If an application limit has been reached, the vacancy may close prior to the stated closing date. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. To ensure full consideration of your experience and education we encourage you to use the USAJOBS resume builder to prepare your resume or to guide you in preparing your resume. See http://www.usajobs.gov/Content/pdfs/Tutorials-Resume.pdf for more information. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant. Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail or e-mail. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will not be considered for this vacancy announcement. Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12949997.
Application Deadline: 2026-05-15