Foreign Affairs Specialist

Full Job Description

The incumbent is the top agency expert and focal point on U.S. civil aviation policies, practices and procedures in his/her area of responsibility.

He/she must coordinate and manage aviation-related activities within their geographical portfolio with other U.S.

Government agencies, industry and other civil aviation authorities and international aviation organizations.

To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-J, FG/GS-14 level.

This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE IS DEFINED AS: Experience working in the international arena, especially on behalf of the FAA or other US Government organizations, to include at a US Embassy, an international organization, or for a private company or non-governmental organization.

AND; Experience which provided knowledge of geopolitical issues and aviation organizations/issues in the countries managed in an international/foreign portfolio.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In addition, this experience must have included either (a) responsibility for the direction and coordination of research, analysis, or other professional work in one or more of the fields listed in (1) below under the Education Section; or (b) specialized professional work of a high level of difficulty and responsibility in one or more of these fields.

This high-level experience must have been in such specialized activities as: (1) formulation of instructions and policy guidance for United States representatives in international organizations; (2) transport and communication involving knowledge of economic, political, and technical aspects of international aviation, shipping, inland transport, or radio, telephone, and telegraph, etc.; (3) cultural affairs involving formulation and operation of policy on large-scale international cultural exchange programs; (4) occupied area affairs involving problems of occupation of conquered or liberated countries, regions, or zones; or (5) other specialized international affairs such as analyzing public opinion and attitudes, evaluating specific conditions, trends, or forces of a foreign country, formulating policy on problems of petroleum resources or fisheries, etc.

You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered.

Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE.

You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process.

Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process.

Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.

*Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.* Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA.

**All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.** Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement.

Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; (3) alphabetical; or (4) priority grouping, and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.

Major Duties:

Is a recognized expert within FAA and is called upon to provide leadership for highly complex and challenging activities under the minimal direction of a manager or executive.

May act as a technical expert to develop new and innovative concepts, approaches, methodologies, techniques, and policies, or as a senior project manager or team leader for large, challenging work activities.

Proactively implements the key focus areas of the FAA's international mission: Develops initiatives that advance U.S.

standards, policies, and procedures to achieve a safer, more efficient, and sustainable global air transportation system and competitive marketplace.

Formulates strategies to help achieve a common and modernized system of air traffic control and air navigation for both civil and military aircraft.

Identifies and executes bilateral arrangements that codify US and foreign commitments to harmonize standards, and/or adopt of US practices through targeted technical assistance and cooperative arrangements.

Collaborates with the FAA Management Board, staff offices and lines of business to advance the international component of FAA programmatic initiatives as the international standard, and to ensure interoperability, collaboration and harmonization.

Works with International Civil Aviation Organization regional offices and entities, as well as identified critical states and partners, to formulate FAA initiatives of appropriate scope and scale to US interests that efficiently leverage the FAA presence and efficacy in the world.

Communicates the latest NOTAMs, advisories and other security-related documents and information to key African nation partners, and advises FAA ASH of airspace changes or other conflict-related updates in Africa that may affect US carriers.

As a core function, supports the FAA's international mission: Builds critical communication networks and relationships with other governments, air navigation service providers, international organizations, US Embassy officials, and aviation industry representatives.

Collects, analyzes and distributes critical information and intelligence in his/her area of responsibility and using this information to assist FAA decision makers in effectively developing and implementing the FAA international strategic plan.

Contributes to the FAA's strategic planning by formulating FAA initiatives of appropriate scope and scale to US interests that efficiently leverage the FAA presence and efficacy in the world.

Manages key programs and projects that advance the agency's international goals and objectives. Supervises the hiring, workload and expectations of locally employed staff (LES) in the FAA office.

Is responsible for managing the LES' day-to-day assignments, providing feedback and direction on projects, and assessing the employee in the State Department's employee rating system.

As a senior official posted overseas, interacts daily with the U.S. Embassy and participates in a number of Embassy functions, including membership in various Embassy committees.

Other duties may include attending Embassy meetings, participating in briefings for members of the American business community, representing the FAA and/or the Embassy at international events, or fulfilling additional activities as directed by the Embassy leadership.

Contacts are internal and external. Often represents FAA as the primary technical authority for major projects, programs, and other areas of FAA responsibility.

Formulates and recommends organizational positions on major projects/policies/issues to senior management.

Provides expert guidance and instruction, both internally and externally, to address diverse, complex issues which often cross multiple projects/programs or functional/technical areas.

Develops plans, techniques, and policies to address current or anticipated problems and issues. Works with senior management to identify and jointly solve problems.