FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Summary

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Duties

The primary purpose of this position is: to serve as academic and program advisor/manager for International Military Student (IMS), Army, Navy, Air Force Military Departments, security cooperation offices (SCO),combatant commands (COCOM) and international military student offices (IMSO). To execute Department ofDefense (DoD), Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) and Defense Language Institute English LanguageCenter (DLIELC) policies and procedures for the management and technical control of the Defense EnglishLanguage Program (DELP). Duties Executes and monitors country training plans and programs based on program requirements. CriticalServes as primary Point of Contact (POC) for all US agencies in support of IMS at DLIELC. CriticalDevelops and initiates proper documentation, including estimated DLIELC training costs and sequences and identification of potential problem areas based on factors unique to the requesting countries Develops official correspondence, reports, database progress messages and talking papers on assignedprograms.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Position, Foreign Affairs Series, 0130. BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPECIALIST 0130 SERIES: A Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) or a degree with a 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. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. Courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, as shown above. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. OR 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. Evaluation of Experience: Qualifying experience may have been through residence, study, teaching, business or commercial activities, military service, newspaper work, military or civil government activities, missionary or international relief work, or other experience in foreign countries. AND In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of the working of foreign governments, the nature of their military and civilian governmentalstructures, and the culture and political dynamics influencing them; Knowledge of DoD, DSCA, USA, USN and USAF, and organizational policies, goal, objectives and directives asapplicable to foreign assistance laws and statutory requirements associated with Security Cooperation goals andobjectives as they apply to planning, obtaining, and executing international student training contracts; Knowledge of foreign student administration while in USAF, USA or USN training in the U.S., the various training sources available to these students, and the validation process for FMS and IMET, and the various grantprogram training requirements. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. 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: Knowledge of the formulation and direction of foreign affairs of the Government or in the study and dispositionof information bearing on international relations. Knowledge and understanding of the law, DoD, DSCA, and USAF guidance and policies governing the SATPalong with organization, procedures and administrative operations throughout school system. Knowledge is appliedin determining compliance and in developing new or modified administrative/support procedures related to IMS inCONUS training. Knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studiesconcerning the efficiency and effectiveness of operations carried out by personnel involved in programming,supporting or training IMS. Knowledge of management principles, organizational goals/objectives, staffing guides and administrativeregulations governing DLIELC. Knowledge of the principles and techniques required to evaluate instructional systems/training programs. Ability to analyze training program problems and to develop timely and economical alternative solutions. Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally. Skill in working harmoniously with personnel of various cultures and ranks. Skill in using common computer equipment and software (qualified typist is not required). Skill in managing financial resources of the USAF and foreign governments PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.