Job Title: International Trade Specialist (FCIP)

Job Title: International Trade Specialist (FCIP)
Department: Department Of Homeland Security
Agency: Customs and Border Protection
Job Announcement Number: IHC-329342-GBN-FCIP-OCA

SALARY RANGE: 34,075.00 - 54,875.00 USD /year
OPEN PERIOD: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 to Thursday, September 16, 2010
SERIES & GRADE: GS-1101-05/07
POSITION INFORMATION: Full TimeFederal Career Intern
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 12
DUTY LOCATIONS: Few vacancies - Washington Metro Area, DC
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: United States Citizens


JOB SUMMARY:

CBP: Securing America's Borders

Whether on the frontlines or serving behind the scenes supporting our mission, the men and women of CBP are dedicated to keeping America safe. CBP counts on them. Our Nation counts on them. Can we count on you?




CBP Mission Statement: We are the guardians of our nation's borders. We are America's frontline. We safeguard the American homeland at and beyond our borders. We protect the American public against terrorists and the instruments of terror. We steadfastly enforce the laws of the United States while fostering our nation's economic security through lawful international trade and travel. We serve the American public with vigilance, integrity, and professionalism.

Discover a challenging and rewarding career in CBP, the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders. As part of our carefully selected, highly trained team, you'll leverage state-of-the art technology, innovative strategies and world-wide partnerships to protect our communities and defend our frontier.

At U.S. Customs and Border Protection, we:

Screen passengers, vehicles, and shipments entering our country
Seize illegal narcotics, vehicles, and agricultural products
Prevent unauthorized entry into the country
Rescue individuals who fall into dangerous conditions traversing our border
For more information about CBP's mission, activities, and careers, visit our web site, http://www.cbp.gov/.

Who May Apply: All U.S. Citizens

Organizational Location: This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of International Trade, Washington, DC

This is an "open continuous announcement" which will establish an inventory of applicants interested in a career as a International Trade Specialist with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This applicant inventory will be used to fill positions as they occur in the Office of International Trade.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early in order to maximize their employment opportunities. Applicant selection referral lists will be issued, as needed, for the duration of this announcement. Although this announcement is advertised for multiple grade levels, it is not intended to convey any expectation that positions will be filled at all grade levels.

How long will this announcement be used? This announcement may be used for 6 months beginning Wednesday, March, 17th, 2010. You must meet the qualification and eligibility requirements at the time of application.

This is a Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP) Position: Positions filled under this announcement will be under the FCIP as an excepted service appointment. As an intern within the Office of International Trade you will serve a two-year trial period, during which time you will be learning the job and the organization. You will attend formal training and develop knowledge and skills through on-the-job training. If your performance and conduct are satisfactory, your appointment will be converted into the competitive service and you will be on a career or career-conditional appointment. Employees who held a career or career-conditional appointment in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) immediately before entering the FCIP and who fails to complete the FCIP for reasons other than misconduct or suitability, will be placed in a career or career conditional position in CBP at no lower grade or pay than the one the employee left to accept the position in the FCIP. If you accept the FCIP position and are not a current CBP employee on a career or career conditional appointment immediately before accepting the position and you fail to complete the FCIP program, you will be terminated.

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be paid.

NOTE: In order to view/and or print the entire announcement, scroll to the bottom of this page and click "Print Preview", then "Print". Instructions on How to Apply and the Required Documents to submit can be found in the printed announcement and by clicking the appropriate tab above.




KEY REQUIREMENTS:
U.S. Citizenship
Background Security Investigation
Residency in the U.S. for the last 3 years (see explanation)
Drug Test





Back to top Duties
Additional Duty Location Info:


Few vacancies - Washington Metro Area, DC




GS-5: The incumbent works with higher-grade International Trade Specialists to acquire knowledge and skill in all functional areas under the Office of International Trade. He/she will perform highly structured entry-level work designed to develop broader and more in-depth knowledge and skill required to perform higher-level assignments. The incumbent will conduct research using various sources to learn the technical aspect, trade compliance, and enforcement and to be able to gain an understanding to address questions from stakeholders. Assist higher-grade International Trade Specialist in general administrative support, including responding to routine inquiries, special projects, and preparing/editing correspondence; and



GS-07: The incumbent works with higher-grade International Trade Specialists to enhance or develop their knowledge and skill in all functional areas under the Office of International Trade. He/she will perform highly structured entry-level work designed to develop broader and more in-depth knowledge and skill required to perform higher-level assignments. The incumbent will conduct research using various sources to learn the technical aspect trade compliance and enforcement and to be able to gain an understanding and to address questions from stakeholders. Assist higher-grade International Trade Specialist in conducting research; respond to routine inquiries from internal sources and preparing/editing correspondence. Participate and contribute in scheduled meetings and conferences. Assemble and analyze information to draw logical conclusion regarding non­complex trade issues.




Back to top Qualifications and Evaluations
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
GS-05: You qualify at the GS-05 level if you possess three years of general experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. This experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level. Examples include analyzing problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively orally and in writing.



GS-07: You qualify at the GS-07 level if you possess one year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. This experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level. Examples include management and program analytical methods and practices such as fact-finding and investigative techniques, cost-benefit analyses, position management, surveys, and work measurement.


KSAOs

Candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements are required to possess certain Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, or Other Characteristics (KSAOs) to successfully perform the functions of this position. Candidates will be asked to demonstrate their attainment of these KSAOs in an online job questionnaire. The KSAOs are:

Interpersonal and administrative skills.
Communicate both orally and in writing.
Ability to grasp conceptual ideas and exercise original thought.


Education:

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE:

For the GS-05 level: You may substitute successful completion of a Bachelor's degree or a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a Bachelor's degree for the experience required at the GS-5 grade level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester or 45 quarter hours.

For the GS-07 level: You may substitute superior academic achievement for the experience required at the GS-7 level. You must have completed the requirements for a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, class standing in the upper third of a graduating class or major subdivision, or membership in a national scholastic honor society.

-Or-

You may also substitute successful completion of one year of full-time graduate education in a qualifying field for the experience required at the GS-7 grade level. This education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university and demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work of the position (A course of study in business administration, public administration, and related fields is qualifying). Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter

IF YOU ARE USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION, TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED. FAILURE TO PROVIDE TRANSCRIPTS WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION. UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION. IF SELECTED, OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE REQUIRED.




U.S. Citizenship: Candidates must be United States citizens and present proof of citizenship, if selected.

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. During the three years prior to applying for this position, you must have: physically resided in the United States or its protectorates or territories (excluding short trips abroad, such as vacations); worked for the U.S. Government as an employee overseas in a Federal or military capacity; and/or been a dependent of a U.S. Federal or military employee serving overseas.

Exceptions may be granted to applicants if they can provide complete state-side coverage information required to make a suitability/security determination. Examples of state-side coverage information include: the state-side address of the company headquarters where the applicant's personnel file is located, the state-side address of the Professor in charge of the applicant's "Study Abroad" program, the church records for the applicant's overseas church missions, and/or the state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with the applicant while overseas. Applicants must provide this information when filing their application for employment.

Qualifications by Closing Date: You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Please note that qualification claims will be subject to verification through a review of your work experience and/or education as provided in your resume, transcripts (as applicable), and narrative responses to assessment questions.

Background Security Investigation: You will need to successfully complete a background investigation before you can be appointed into this position.

REQUIRED TRAINING IF SELECTED FOR THIS POSITION: Applicant will be required to complete the Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP) Developement and Training Plan as a condition of employment.

Drug Testing: Satisfactory completion of the drug test is a condition of placement and/or employment in the position and incumbents of this position are, thereafter, subject to Random Drug Testing.



Administrative Careers With America (ACWA):



Training and Development:



You will receive a combination of external training programs and intensive internal, on-the-job training.



Appointment at the GS-5 or GS-07 level will serve as a trainee. You will learn to serve as an analyst or advisor on the evaluation of the effectiveness of programs and operations and/or the productivity and efficiency of management. This includes implementing, coordinating, and/or overseeing a variety of management programs impacting the organizations' activities; planning and/or conducting special studies; developing and/or evaluating policies in assigned areas of responsibility; providing technical assistance and support to management in a variety of matters relating to planning activities; developing, implementing, and/or monitoring management information systems; preparing and/or providing briefings and presentations on analytical findings and recommendations; developing new and/or recommending changes to existing issuances and directives; evaluating the applicability and effect of new or proposed legislation, executive orders, agency directives, and other agency decisions on organizational operations, managerial programs and requirements; and representing the organization at meetings and conferences.









HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:



To determine if you are qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documents will be reviewed and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire and will be between 70 and 100. The score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills and abilities required of this position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or support documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.



Back to top Benefits and Other Info


BENEFITS:

The Federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. These benefits include, but are not limited to: health care, life insurance, thrift savings plan, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, earn annual and sick leave, long-term care insurance, retirement savings plans, and transit subsidies. Other benefits are offered on a case-by-case basis and include, but are not limited to: student loan repayment and annual leave enhancement. For more information about these benefits, please visit http://www.usajobs.gov/EI/benefits.asp


OTHER INFORMATION:
Direct Deposit: All agency employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.

E-Verify: CBP uses E-Verify to validate all newly hired applicants' ability to work legally in the United States. For more information on E-Verify, please follow this link: http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/e-ver-employee-rights.pdf.

Privacy Act: Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a probationary period of 1 year.


Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, and administrative approval.

Selective Service: 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.

Signature: Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application.

Social Security Numbers: Your Social Security Number is requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you. Failure to provide your Social Security Number on your application materials will result in your application not being processed.

Supervisory/Managerial Positions: First time supervisors and/or managers will be required to serve an 18 month probationary period. You may also be required to complete an appropriate supervisory/managerial training course within the one year of assignment to this position.

Important! All the information you provide may be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application forms, by checking references and through other means, such as the interview process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work.




Back to top How To Apply


HOW TO APPLY:
You are required to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload your documentation into Application Manager.

Initially, Application Manager requires you to create an account. Once your account is created, Application Manager provides a site where you can track the status of jobs you have applied to at U.S. Customs and Border Protection; access uploaded documentation; view/print copies of notification letters; and print a copy of your questionnaire.

The navigation box will appear on the left side of the screen when you are working on an Application Package. The items listed in the navigation box are pages you need to visit and represent steps you need to complete, in order for your Application Package to reach the status of COMPLETE.

You can "Save" an incomplete application and return to finish the process at a later date provided the announcement has not closed. You must click the "Submit" button in Application Manager to have all your documents included for consideration.

If you have documents in your Application Manager account from a previous vacancy announcement they can be opened, copied and saved then reused as an upload file for this vacancy. Uploading your documents will speed the processing of your application for this announcement.

Note: If you start a questionnaire please complete it in its entirety before "Submitting." An incomplete questionnaire will affect your rating or may result in your application being rated ineligible. You may complete the assessment questionnaire more than once, but your rating will be based on the most recent submission.

Instructional guidance listed below:

To Start A New Assessment Questionnaire:

Click the Apply Online button.
Create an account and complete the Assessment Questionnaire.
If you already have an account, log in with your User ID and Password to complete the Assessment Questionnaire.
To Save An Incomplete Assessment Questionnaire:

Scroll to the top or bottom of the page and click the "Save" button.
After the page refreshes, click the "Logout" button.
To Return To A Saved/Incomplete Assessment Questionnaire:

Click this link to Return To Application Manager:
https://applicationmanager.gov/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fhome.aspx

Log into your account and locate the vacancy on the "My Application Packages" page.
Click on the six digit Vacancy ID number of the application that you want to complete. The page will refresh and display your Application Package Status.
Select the "Complete Application Package" button, which will take you to the assessment questionnaire. As you complete each page of the questionnaire click the "Next" button.
Once you have completed the assessment questionnaire the "Upload Documents" page will display. Follow the procedures outlined on the upload documents page. You will receive an "Upload Successful" acknowledgement each time you attach a document file. Once you have uploaded all of your documentation and the file is displayed in the table, select the "Next" button.
Click the "Submit My Answers" button to complete the application package. You will receive a confirmation that your submission was successful. You have the option to view or print a copy of your assessment questionnaire and responses by clicking the View/Print My Answers link.
To Fax a Resume or Supporting Documents:

If you upload your documents using Application Manager, DO NOT FAX the same documents. To verify uploaded documents have been processed, please wait one hour to ensure they have cleared the virus scan. You can verify that your uploaded documents are attached to your application by checking the Details tab of your Application Manager account https://applicationmanager.gov/ for this vacancy announcement. Your documents will display under the Details tab in the Document area.

Faxed documents will take 2-3 business days to process. To fax documents, you MUST use the special cover page. Print the pre-populated cover page on the upload documents screen of Application Manager. Or, you may click this link http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf to print a copy of the cover page. When faxing documents, follow the procedures outlined below.

Include the 8-character Vacancy Identification Number: IA329342
Provide your Social Security Number and full name in the spaces provided or we will not be able to associate your document(s) with the rest of your application.
You may submit multiple documents for the same vacancy announcement using one cover page.
Fax your cover page and documents to 1-478-757-3144.
Faxed documents submitted with missing information will not be processed. The following will prevent your faxed documents from being processed:

Not using the special cover page mentioned above.
Missing, incomplete, or invalid Vacancy Identification Number.
Missing or incomplete Social Security Number or Name.


REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Resume : Your resume, curriculum vitae, Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF 612), or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications must be in English. It must contain sufficient information which shows the skills and abilities you possess which qualify you for this position. This includes the Minimum Qualification requirements and any Selective Placement Factor (as applicable). Dates must be listed with both Month and Year for qualifying purposes. In addition, your resume must contain the basic information outlined in the Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF 612). This form can be found at: http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of612.pdf.

Transcripts: Transcripts are required if you are basing your qualifications on education or if they are required to meet basic qualifications. Education must be from an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable for qualifications requirements unless it has been evaluated. For graduates of foreign universities, the applicant must submit an evaluation for all course work from an organization recognized as specializing in interpretation of education credentials. For a listing of accredited agencies for foreign education, please see http://www.naces.org/members.htm. For a listing of accredited schools in the United States, please see http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-accreditation.html

Veterans' Preference Documentation: In order to receive Veterans' Preference, you MUST submit the documents listed below as proof of eligibility.

Five Point Preference: DD-214 (Member Copy 4), or, if you are CURRENTLY serving on active duty, a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered on active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received. For those supplying the statement of service, preference will be verified by a DD-214 (Member Copy 4) upon separation from the military.

Ten Point Preference: DD-214 (Member Copy 4) and a VA letter dated 1991 or later as proof of service connected disability.

For more information about Veterans' Preference, click this link: http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp.

Proof of Eligibility is required for Priority Selection Rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position. Eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) or equivalent that documents separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.



AGENCY CONTACT INFO:
Indianapolis Hiring Center
Phone: (877)290-1810
Email: CustomerResponse@cbp.dhs.gov Agency Information:
Indianapolis Hiring Center
6650 Telecom Drive
Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46278



WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:
Your application and all supporting documentation must be received by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date. Note that you will be allowed to apply more than once but the last application is the only one that will be used.

Applications and supporting documentation WILL NOT be accepted by mail or e-mail. The address below is for inquiries only. If you are unable to apply on-line, contact the Human Resources Office listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions.

It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, or faxed (i.e., resume, veteran's documentation, assessment questions and answers, and SF 50's) is received and is accurate. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

If a document is not in a legible format, an applicant will not be able to view it and must again upload or fax the documentation by the closing date of the announcement. An applicant can verify that the information has been received by following the instructions below.

1) Click this link to Return to Application Manager: https://applicationmanager.gov/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fhome.aspx.

2) Log into your account and locate the vacancy on the "My Application Packages" page.

3) Click on the six digit Vacancy ID number you want to view. The page will refresh and display your Application Package Status.

4) Click on the details list and click on View by the document you want to see. If prompted choose OPEN. You may have to choose a program with which to view the document, choose Adobe 6.0.

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.

Notification Process: Once the online application package is received you will an electronic notification acknowledging receipt of your application. The second notification will state if you were qualified or not qualified for the position. The third notification would inform you if you were referred to the selecting official for consideration. The final notification will inform you of the final disposition, if the position was filled, another applicant was selected, etc.