International Relations Specialist

Full job description

Duties

As an International Relations Specialist, you will:

• Conduct in-depth analyses for comprehensive energy policy planning and strategy development looking at international energy and climate policy, market trends, investment and trade issues and their impact on U.S. national security and foreign, economic, climate, and trade policy objectives pertaining to Asia.
• Represent DOE in meetings with foreign officials, in interagency meetings, providing oral briefings to senior officials on critical issues, and ensuring coordination of follow-up activities.
• Serve as a resource on the political, social, energy, economic and environmental conditions and issues for assigned countries in Asia.
• Develop and maintain effective professional relationships with representatives of foreign governments, staff officials of other Federal agencies and national labs, and with private industry on policy and substantive program activities in order to build support for DOE policies and programs and to advance the U.S. national interest.
• Draft comprehensive briefing papers for senior DOE officials on energy policies, trade issues, strategies, and programs in the area of responsibility for use during bilateral and multilateral discussions.
• Develop and execute project management of cooperative energy activities, including through support services contractors.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
• If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• This position does not support 100% remote work. You will be required to report physically to the official reporting worksite as specified by the supervisor, but no less than 2 days per pay period.
• A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.
• This position is included in a Bargaining Unit.
• Occasional travel is required.
• Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.
• This position requires a 'Q' security clearance. Failure to obtain and maintain the required security clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to applicant testing and random drug testing in accordance with Department's Order for the Federal Substance Abuse Program (DOE O 343.1)

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

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
Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in one or more of the social sciences, or in the humanities, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 2 out of 3 of the following

• Aiding in conducting analyses of energy policy issues in Asia; OR

• Developing professional relationships with representatives of foreign governments on energy-related policy and program activities; OR

• Assisting in the implementation of policy studies and projects related to energy and climate.

OR

Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree; your education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. For this position, this is defined as a degree in International Law, International Relations, or a similarly related major.

OR

Combination of education and experience as described above. Less than one year of specialized experience may be combined with graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., credit hours beyond the first two years of full-time study may be credited).


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting 3 out of 4 of the following:

• Developing and maintaining professional relationships with representatives of foreign governments on energy-related policy and substantive program activities; OR

• Conducting in-depth analyses for comprehensive and long-term energy-related policy planning and strategy development related to international policy including market trends, climate, foreign and trade policy; OR

• Providing interpretations of international energy policy as it relates to domestic and international policy assessments (including energy market data and economic information) to present results for appropriate international policy development; OR

• Planning and overseeing implementation of technical or policy studies and projects related to energy and climate.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must (1) meet all of the requirements as described in this section; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as scoring in the in Well Qualified category (or higher).