This position is located in the Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE), within the Office of the Director (OD). This incumbent will serve as the Foreign Affairs Specialist on the Country and Regions team and will manage the East Asia Pacific region. The specialist is a recognized expert within NSF on issues related to the intersection of U.S. science and foreign policy as they pertain to China and the East Asia and Pacific region.
Summary
This position is located in the Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE), within the Office of the Director (OD). This incumbent will serve as the Foreign Affairs Specialist on the Country and Regions team and will manage the East Asia Pacific region. The specialist is a recognized expert within NSF on issues related to the intersection of U.S. science and foreign policy as they pertain to China and the East Asia and Pacific region.
Any U.S. citizen and ICTAP/CTAP eligible employees. This opportunity is also open to current/former competitive service employees or those with status only under announcement OISE-2018-0005.
As a Foreign Affairs Specialist, you will perform the following duties:
Monitors political, economic, social, scientific and other significant developments that may affect the Foundation.
Interprets and reports on the significance of events or developments to NSF and the U.S. science and engineering research and education community and identifies the impact on U.S. science policy.
Offers insights and recommends effective options for NSF action. Performs analyses and make recommendations in the form of written and oral presentations to OISE leadership, NSF decision makers, and domestic and foreign counterparts including both government and non-government.
Prepares or develops position papers, briefings, official discussions in meetings and conferences, memoranda, talking points, and written Congressional testimony and associated background material for use by NSF leadership.
Ensures that all dialogues and programs that the Office and NSF implement related to China and the East Asia Pacific Region reflect White House and NSF priorities focusing on science, engineering, and education.
Serves as the Office's representative on NSF positions, sometimes on short notice, to internal and external audiences.
Collaborates closely with colleagues in OISE and other units of NSF to represent and, when necessary, shape collaboration with China and other countries in the East Asia and Pacific region.
Identifies opportunities consistent with NSF's mission and design engagement strategies to promote U.S. objectives.
Establishes and maintains relationships with interagency partners who work within the science, engineering, and education mission space.
Prepares or develops remarks and briefing materials for Office, Directorate and Foundation leadership related to China and other countries in the East Asia and Pacific region, with limited oversight from the management team.
Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt.
US citizenship.
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.
You must answer all job-related questions in the NSF eRecruit questionnaire.
All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
This position is in the bargaining unit.
Qualifications
To qualify your application package must reflect that you meet the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) for the 0130 series listed below:
A. 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.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
OR
C. 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.
In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) above, you must meet the specialized experience as listed below:
To be qualified at the GS-14 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in federal service performing science and foreign policy work for the East Asia Pacific Region. Examples of experience include: Monitoring political, economic, social, scientific and other significant developments in the US and internationally; performing analyses and special studies, and making recommendations regarding science policy; drafting position papers, briefings, memoranda, talking points, and written Congressional testimony and associated background material regarding the East Asia Pacific Region; and establishing relationships with representatives from foreign governments.
To be qualified at the GS-15 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in federal service serving as an expert on science and foreign policy in the East Asia Pacific Region. Examples of experience include: Monitoring political, economic, social, scientific and other significant developments in the US and internationally; performing analyses and special studies, and making recommendations regarding science policy; finalizing position papers, briefings, memoranda, talking points, and written Congressional testimony and associated background material regarding the East Asia Pacific Region; and developing and maintaining relationships with representatives from foreign governments.
In addition to meeting the minimum qualification requirements described above, all candidates must meet the following selective factor. Candidates who do not show that they meet the selective factor will no longer receive consideration for the position.
Selective Factor: Experience working with representatives from foreign governments, international organizations or in diplomatic positions on behalf of the United States Government
Education
You must meet the minimum education requirements as described in “Qualifications."
Additional information
Relocation Expenses Reimbursed may be paid, contingent upon availability of funds.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): ICTAP and CTAP provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP or CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP or CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified you must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least “Very Good” on the questionnaire. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP or CTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information regarding ICTAP or CTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources
Veteran's Preference: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. For 5-point veterans' preference, please provide your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions. For 10-point veterans' preference, please submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the required documentation as specified on the SF-15.
NSF has determined that all of its positions are eligible for telework. Work suitable for telework depends on job duties; therefore, employees must receive approval from their supervisor for telework and have a telework agreement in place. Entering into a telework agreement is voluntary.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
A GREAT LOCATION! The National Science Foundation Headquarters is conveniently located across the street from the Eisenhower Avenue Metro Station, right in Alexandria, VA, a few miles from downtown Washington, DC. There are shops and restaurants within walking distance, as well as historic Old Town Alexandria a short trip away. Employees receive the
Pre-tax parking Public transportation subsidy Child care subsidy Flexible working hours Telecommuting Physical Fitness Facility on site Health Services Unit on site Employee Assistance Program
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Category rating procedures will be used to rank and select eligibles. Based on your responses to the occupational questionnaire, you will be assigned a score. Your score will determine in which of three categories you will be placed: Excellent, Very Good, or Good. Under this process, veterans will be assigned to the appropriate category (without additional preference points) and then placed at the top of their category.
The information contained in your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you meet the competencies required of this position. Please ensure you answer all questions accurately. Your responses are subject to verification. In support of your responses provided in the Occupational Questionnaire, your resume should include verbiage that describes your experience relative to the position for which you are applying and provide examples that show the depth of knowledge, level of skill, or degree of ability you possess. If your application does not support your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire or your application is not complete, it may affect your evaluation or result in your name being removed from further consideration.
Applicants eligible for selection preference under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or CTAP must meet the agency definition of "well qualified." In NSF categories, this means at least “Very Good.”
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
A GREAT LOCATION! The National Science Foundation Headquarters is conveniently located across the street from the Eisenhower Avenue Metro Station, right in Alexandria, VA, a few miles from downtown Washington, DC. There are shops and restaurants within walking distance, as well as historic Old Town Alexandria a short trip away. Employees receive the
Pre-tax parking Public transportation subsidy Child care subsidy Flexible working hours Telecommuting Physical Fitness Facility on site Health Services Unit on site Employee Assistance Program
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
All applicants should submit a resume/CV of their choice, and may also submit a cover letter.
You must submit proof of meeting the basic education requirement described in the QUALIFICATIONS paragraph. Therefore, you should submit TRANSCRIPTS (unofficial copies are acceptable) or a DIPLOMA that verifies that the requirement is met.
Additional Documents, if applicable, may include:
Veteran's Preference Documentation (DD-214 and SF-15): If you are eligible and claiming 5-point veteran's preference, you MUST submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veteran's preference, you MUST submit a copy of your DD-214, SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" and the documentation required by the SF-15. (Please note: An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing veterans' preference will not be accepted as proof of entitlement.)
We also ask that you complete and submit the Applicant Survey. This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.
All faxing/uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.If you are faxing your information, please use extreme care in dialing the fax number to assure we receive your information. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt of your faxed/uploaded document(s).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your application should be submitted online and must be completed and all required documents successfully faxed (or uploaded) before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date. You must answer all of the job-related questions to ensure full consideration for this position. For more detailed information, please review our NSF eRecruit Applicant Guide.
If you do not have internet access or if you have questions, please contact the Human Resources Representative listed in the vacancy announcement.
WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
All applicants should submit a resume/CV of their choice, and may also submit a cover letter.
You must submit proof of meeting the basic education requirement described in the QUALIFICATIONS paragraph. Therefore, you should submit TRANSCRIPTS (unofficial copies are acceptable) or a DIPLOMA that verifies that the requirement is met.
Additional Documents, if applicable, may include:
Veteran's Preference Documentation (DD-214 and SF-15): If you are eligible and claiming 5-point veteran's preference, you MUST submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veteran's preference, you MUST submit a copy of your DD-214, SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" and the documentation required by the SF-15. (Please note: An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing veterans' preference will not be accepted as proof of entitlement.)
We also ask that you complete and submit the Applicant Survey. This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.
All faxing/uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.If you are faxing your information, please use extreme care in dialing the fax number to assure we receive your information. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt of your faxed/uploaded document(s).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your application should be submitted online and must be completed and all required documents successfully faxed (or uploaded) before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date. You must answer all of the job-related questions to ensure full consideration for this position. For more detailed information, please review our NSF eRecruit Applicant Guide.
If you do not have internet access or if you have questions, please contact the Human Resources Representative listed in the vacancy announcement.
WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
