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Foreign Affairs Specialist

Schmidt Marine Technology Partners · Silver Spring, MD · Today
OTHRPart-time

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), with one vacancy in Silver Spring, MD. This position is also announced under vacancy number NMFS-26-13022951-ST for Status Candidates. Applicants must apply to both announcements to be considered for both.

About the role

This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band. The ZA-3 is equivalent to the GS-11/12 and is developmental, leading to the full performance level of ZA-4, equivalent to GS-13/14.

Responsibilities

  • Plan, coordinate, and provide input on departmental formulation and direction of U.S. foreign affairs related to international fisheries relations, including bycatch and conservation of protected living marine resources.
  • Implement seafood trade monitoring programs: Antarctic Marine Living Resources Program, Highly Migratory Species International Trade Program, Seafood Import Monitoring Program, Tuna Tracking and Verification Program, and Certification of Admissibility requirements.
  • Negotiate and implement sustainable international management measures for living marine resources through regional fisheries management organizations, regional partnerships, and protected species conservation organizations.
  • Respond to stakeholder requests for assistance with program requirements and compliance.
  • Analyze information to ensure compliance with international fisheries management, protected species conservation, and trade measures, including formulating and executing capacity-building efforts.
  • Perform analysis of sustainable fisheries management, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, bycatch of protected living marine resources, and trade.
  • Implement trade monitoring programs to combat IUU fishing and facilitate trade to achieve policy objectives.

Note: Duties are described at the full performance level of ZA-4; the ZA-3 level is developmental, leading to such performance.

Requirements

  • Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
  • Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
  • Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

Education may be used to qualify for this position. Applicants must submit:

  • A copy of their college transcript listing courses by number and department (e.g., Bio 101, Math 210), name of accredited institution, course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable during the initial application phase.
  • If course content is not easily identifiable from the transcript, an official course description from the college/university reflecting the content at the time the course was taken.
  • For education completed outside the U.S., documentation proving equivalency to U.S. education standards. See OPM Foreign Education Evaluation for details.

Additional Considerations

  • A one-year probationary period may be required.
  • Payment of relocation expenses (PCS) is not authorized.
  • Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized for current federal employees only.
  • This position requires a Low Risk Security Clearance at the ZA-3 level and a Moderate Risk Security Clearance at the ZA-4 level. Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • For current Department of Commerce (including NOAA) employees in the same line of work with no more than a 30-day break in service, the one-year probationary period may be waived. Continued employment will be evaluated based on performance, agency needs, and alignment with organizational goals.

Evaluations

You will be evaluated based on qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Evaluations may include:

  • A Job Knowledge Test to assess technical and professional expertise relevant to the position.
  • Category rating (Gold, Silver, Bronze) will be used for ranking and selection. Veterans' preference will be applied within each category.
  • Assessment of competencies such as Compliance, External Awareness, Influencing/Negotiating, and Strategic Thinking.

Best-qualified candidates may be invited for an interview. All relevant documents will be reviewed by the hiring official if referred.

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