Job Closes September 22, 2016
Job Overview
Summary
Begin a challenging and rewarding
career with the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), an agency of the U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA). FAS is a dynamic foreign affairs agency with offices in
Washington, D.C. and 70-plus countries around the world. FAS is seeking
committed professionals with diverse skills and talents to help improve foreign
market access for U.S. products, build new markets, enhance the competitive
position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provide food aid
and technical assistance to foreign countries.
The Office of Agreements and Scientific Affairs (OASA) provides trade policy advocacy for U.S. agricultural. The OASA motto is, “Building Solutions that Open Markets.” Functionally, this includes monitoring and enforcing trade agreements, developing trade policy and strategies, addressing technical and sanitary phytosanitary barriers to trade, and facilitating communication between foreign governments and U.S. regulatory agencies. International Trade Specialists are essential to OASA’s effectiveness by applying an expert knowledge of a particular commodity, industry group, and/or regulatory policy area impacting agricultural trade.
The Office of Agreements and Scientific Affairs (OASA) provides trade policy advocacy for U.S. agricultural. The OASA motto is, “Building Solutions that Open Markets.” Functionally, this includes monitoring and enforcing trade agreements, developing trade policy and strategies, addressing technical and sanitary phytosanitary barriers to trade, and facilitating communication between foreign governments and U.S. regulatory agencies. International Trade Specialists are essential to OASA’s effectiveness by applying an expert knowledge of a particular commodity, industry group, and/or regulatory policy area impacting agricultural trade.
GS-14 LEAD INTERNATIONAL TRADE
SPECIALIST WITH SCIENTIFIC EMPHASIS
Overseas demand for U.S. plant products
presents opportunities for U.S. exporters that are not without commercial risks
when market access is constrained or threatened by unwarranted trade
barriers. SPS measures implemented by foreign governments can often
unnecessarily restrict market access for U.S. agricultural products if based on
questionable or insufficient scientific principles. The WTO Agreement on
the Application of SPS Measures (SPS Agreement) recognizes the rights of
governments to implement such measures provided they are based on science and
do not unjustifiably discriminate against countries and agricultural products.
However, at times, trading partners have applied SPS measures that contradict
WTO obligations and are unjustifiably trade prohibitive. In addition,
U.S. agricultural exports are especially impacted by standards and policies
associated with regulating pesticide use on agricultural products. The
U.S. agricultural industry benefits from having available the latest and most
effective crop protection technologies approved for use in the United
States. However, the regulatory authorization of new pesticides in the
United States without corresponding approval in export markets can lead to
maximum residue limit (MRL) dis-harmonization. Similarly, U.S. exporters
are often faced with shipping product to countries where MRLs for the same
commodity and chemical may differ from that of the United States and/or each
other. As a result, the risk of rejection of U.S. agricultural exports
may increase when foreign MRL regulatory standards differ from the United
States. Within OASA, the Plant Division provides policy advocacy
and technical advice for the U.S. agricultural industry. The incumbent in
this new position will have a lead role in working with U.S. and foreign
regulatory agencies as well as industry stakeholders to identify and address
strategic constraints and opportunities facing U.S. agricultural
exporters. This includes negotiation, monitoring and enforcement of
market-expanding trade agreements. It is anticipated that the incumbent
be required to work extensively in coordinating and addressing MRL dis-harmonization
issues with the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. chemical industry,
the U.S. agricultural industry, and foreign chemical regulatory agencies to
reduce the potential of MRL violations impacting U.S. agricultural trade.
Job Requirements
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications
and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including
the following specialized experience and/or education, as identified by grade
level.
FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
- Comprehensive
knowledge and expertise in U.S. and international pesticide regulatory
policy to develop and deliver authoritative and programmatic direction on
potentially controversial and highly visible trade issues;
- Knowledge
of pertinent U.S. legislation and regulations, department policies, and
international agreements and trade laws; and
- Knowledge and skill sufficient to provide technical leadership, staff coordination, and consultation for the U.S. agricultural initiatives (especially those related to the regulation of pesticides) assigned, including formulating guidelines, implementing new developments, and providing regulatory interpretation and recommendations to FAS and USDA leadership.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov.
For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/449678500.
Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement
listed at www.usajobs.gov
will be considered.