Senior Trade Specialist (SME) (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Senior Trade Specialist (SME) (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Department: Department of Transportation

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $121785 - $158322 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is a Senior Trade Specialist in the Office of Cargo and Commercial Sealift. The primary mission of the Office is to create, coordinate, monitor and implement programs and projects designed to increase the overall American-flag merchant marine participation in the carriage of U.S. Ocean foreign and domestic trade.

Major Duties:

• As a Senior Trade Specialist, you will: Explain the application of the cargo preference laws and regulations for federal agencies' current programs as well as new and changed programs. Address stakeholder questions relating to operational and logistical international ocean transportation. Use appropriate problem-solving methods, techniques, practices, and procedures, to provided viable solutions to stakeholders. Determine the specific information necessary to monitor shipments, availability of source data, type and frequency of reports to be received, and a system for identifying shipments subject to cargo preference laws. Establish personal liaison with division or office level managers of government agencies and other shippers generating preference cargo. The ideal candidate for this position has extensive experience in the commercial maritime sector with exposure to ocean carrier industry, in intermodal operations, project cargo, stevedoring, freight forwarding, vessel operations and customer relations as they relate to capabilities of U.S.-flag carriers.

Qualifications: To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience requirements. To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience in military or civilian federal agency commercial ocean cargo transportation operations or ensuring the compliance of such with U.S. maritime shipping laws of such as an importer, exporter, Ocean Transportation Intermediary, attorney, or contracting officer. Experience analyzing and evaluating ocean shipping and other data to determine compliance with cargo preference laws. 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: Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance Oral/Written Communication - Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed. Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. For all types of consideration, 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. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How to Apply: You must submit a complete application package (including resume, vacancy questions and supporting documents) no later than 11:59 (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. To begin, click the "Apply Online" button on the job announcement posting. Follow the directions to register, submit all required documents and complete the assessment questionnaire. You may review your saved application(s) at https://help.usajobs.gov/ If you are having difficulty applying online, please contact the DOT Automated Staffing Office via email at: Transjobs@dot.gov

Application Deadline: 2026-03-30