An independent Federal agency, the U.S. International Trade Commission provides the President and Congress with high quality analysis and technical support on international trade, tariff and competitiveness issues; hears and decides import injury cases and publishes the United States tariff schedule. You will find a working environment throughout the Commission that is dedicated to the development of your technical skills and a commitment to provide balance between your work and personal life.
You must meet all the requirements below by the closing date of the announcement and they must be clearly identified in your application, resume, or supporting documents. This includes any general and specialized experience, education, and/or selective placement factors mentioned. These are used to determine if you possess the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to successfully perform in this position. BASIC REQUIREMENT To qualify at the GS-09 level, you must have one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility at, or equivalent to, the GS-7 level obtained in the Federal service or in the private or non-profit sector. Specialized Experience that demonstrated the ability to perform the functions of the position to be filled and that provided requisite knowledge of any of the following: (i) The production of goods and services in international trade; (ii) The technical and economic factors influencing international trade and competitiveness; (iii) Commodity and trade data collection methods and analytical techniques; and (iv) U.S. trade laws, agreements, and policies regulating international commerce OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.B., or J.D., if related. You must submit a copy of your transcript to show you meet this requirement. OR Possession of a Master's or equivalent graduate degree in fields of chemistry, chemical engineering, economics, business or international law, international trade correlations, or other fields which are directly related to the production of goods in international trade. To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must have one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility at, or equivalent to, the GS-9 level obtained in the Federal service or in the private or non-profit sector. Specialized experience would include 1 or more of: (i) as related to the chemicals industry, knowledge of trade laws and regulations, current trade and market conditions, factors of competitiveness in the United States and leading global markets; (ii) identifying and obtaining economic and trade information, and in processing and manipulating data; (iii) preparing a variety of written materials on complex topics and submitting written materials to others for editorial and technical review, as a demonstration of oral communication skills; and (iv) planning, designing, carrying out, and leading projects, studies, or other work, as part of a team. OR Possession of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in chemistry, international trade, international relations, economics, business, finance, or other trade related field is fully qualifying at the GS-11 level. To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must have one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility at, or equivalent to, the GS-11 level obtained in the Federal service or in the private or non-profit sector. Specialized experience would include 2 or more of: (i) as related to the chemicals industry, knowledge of trade laws and regulations, current trade and market conditions, factors of competitiveness in the United States and leading global markets; (ii) identifying and obtaining economic and trade information, and in processing and manipulating data; (iii) preparing a variety of written materials on complex topics and submitting written materials to others for editorial and technical review, as a demonstration of oral communication skills; and (iv) planning, designing, carrying out, and leading projects, studies, or other work, as part of a team. To qualify at the GS-13 level, you must have one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility at, or equivalent to, the GS-12 level obtained in the Federal service or in the private or non-profit sector. Specialized experience would include 3 or more of: (i) as related to the chemicals industry, knowledge of trade laws and regulations, current trade and market conditions, factors of competitiveness in the United States and leading global markets; (ii) identifying and obtaining economic and trade information, and in processing and manipulating data; (iii) preparing a variety of written materials on complex topics and submitting written materials to others for editorial and technical review, as a demonstration of oral communication skills; and (iv) planning, designing, carrying out, and leading projects, studies, or other work, as part of a team. To qualify at the GS-14 level, you must have one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility at, or equivalent to, the GS-13 level obtained in the Federal service or in the private or non-profit sector. Specialized experience would include all 4 of: (i) as related to textile and apparel industries, knowledge of trade laws and regulations, current trade and market conditions, factors of competitiveness in the United States and leading global markets; (ii) identifying and obtaining economic and trade information, and in processing and manipulating data; (iii) preparing a variety of written materials on complex topics and submitting written materials to others for editorial and technical review, as a demonstration of oral communication skills; and (iv) planning, designing, carrying out, and leading projects, studies, or other work, as part of a team. 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.
The position is located in the Office of Operations, Office of Industries and Competitiveness Analysis, Chemicals and Textiles Division. The ideal candidate will have formal academic training in organic or inorganic chemistry or chemical engineering, have an understanding of organic chemical structure, and may have work experience in the chemical industry (e.g. chemical economics, marketing, or business). Such a candidate is inquisitive, shows initiative, and possesses the skills to obtain and analyze a broad range of industry specific trade and related information from U.S. and foreign producers of chemical products, U.S. importers, U.S. purchasers, trade associations, and other sources. As an International Trade Analyst (Chemist) your typical work assignments may include: Conducting extensive primary and secondary research on a wide range of chemical products, industries; markets, and trade impediments; Resolving trade and industry data issues for chemical products; Working in a team environment and communicating with high level industry and government officials; Providing team with practical knowledge of quantitative methods of analysis; Proficiency in quantitative analysis (i.e., statistical analysis, regressions econometrics, etc.) and providing material via word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications. Responsibilities for this position will progressively increase at each grade level.