Summary This position is located in the Forest Service, the Office of International Programs (IP). The purpose of this position is to assist with leadership and coordination of international activities of the Forest Service. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Valdis Mezainis at Valdis.Mezainis@usda.gov. Responsibilities Provides high-level leadership, representation, coordination, and staffing support to the IP Director's primary functions, and expertise to national and international programs. Offers expert technical leadership and program advice on complex policy and program issues, promoting the agency's commitment to rigorously examine and mitigate potential environmental impacts. Evaluates the effects of various programs and policies, including legislation, new USDA and FS policies, Department of State policies, and state and private sector policies related to international programs. Provides leadership on developing new systems for managing multiple funding sources with different authorities. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series listed below. Selective Placement Factor: Fluency in relevant foreign language (Spanish, French or Arabic) required. Basic Requirement: GS-0101: Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. OR Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field. GS-0401: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. OR Combination of education and experience that included 24 semester hours in course work in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines AND experience sufficient to demonstrate that I possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation that is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field needed to perform the work of the occupation. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-15: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least a GS-14 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as four or more of the following: experience as a technical expert on programs in multiple, intersecting technical areas and disciplines regarding international natural resources issues, programs, and activities both locally and abroad; and/or managing interagency agreements, domestic and international grants, partnerships, joint-venture agreements, and other relevant agreements with various international and domestic partners; and/or identifying emerging issues, directing the work for analyzing those which are of the highest priority in terms of agency and U.S. Government policies, and developing recommendations which address the priorities; and/or providing guidance and leadership on issues both domestically and internationally and representing the agency at esteemed conferences; and/or solving problems which are characterized by conflicts between competing interest groups, adherence to existing systems, or competition between the various resources and resources users. 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. TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Education Required education listed above. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary and term employees the opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years and the last temporary or term appointment must have been with the Forest Service. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status such as leave without pay is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website. This is a non-bargaining unit position. Forest Service daycare facilities are not available. Government Housing is not available.