International Trade Specialist

Summary An independent Federal agency, the U.S. International 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. Responsibilities MAJOR DUTIES Maintains chapters of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) involving products assigned each time the HTS is revised, inputting the legal and non-legal changes as interpreted by the Office of Tariff Affairs and Trade Agreements (TATA) managers and Senior TATA employees for the chapters. Reviews the HTS, change record and HTS History with the objective of identifying issues or inconsistencies. Analyzes identified issues in the legal and non-legal changes to the HTS and inconsistencies and shares relevant information on issues and inconsistencies with TATA managers and senior TATA employees. Creates and maintains the HTS, tariff and the Trade Agreement program data for TATA's and the Commission's consumption as reviewed and approved by TATA managers and senior TATA employees. Monitors legal and non-legal sources affecting the HTS, such as trade organizations, trade associations, other USG notices, information from the World Customs Organization and World Trade Organization, etc. and shares relevant information with supervisors and colleagues. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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. Specialized Experience Experience that demonstrated knowledge of: Marketing that included economic, psychological, and sociological influences bearing upon consumption patterns; Business practices pertaining to wholesale, retail, manufacturers' distribution, distribution costs, finance and tax structure, and similar areas of activity or concern; and International economic and political factors influencing balance of payments, monetary exchange and tariffs, and their bearing on the distribution of commodities. To qualify at the GS-07 level, you must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 obtained in the federal or private sector which demonstrates all of the following: Analyzing large data sets; and Organizing and tracking multiple deadlines and projects; and Writing analytical reports. or 1 full academic year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement. Major study -- marketing, business administration, political science, public administration, history, business or commercial law, economics, finance, international trade, or international relations. To qualify at the GS-09 level, you must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 obtained in the federal or private sector which demonstrates all of the following: Working on or studying international trade issues; and Analyzing large data sets; and Utilizing quantitative or qualitative software or tools (i.e., Excel, Access); and Organizing and tracking multiple deadlines and projects, (5) Writing analytical reports. or A 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. Major study -- marketing, business administration, political science, public administration, history, business or commercial law, economics, finance, international trade, or international relations. 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. Education Major study -- marketing, business administration, political science, public administration, history, business or commercial law, economics, finance, international trade, or international relations. GS-7: To substitute education for specialized experience, you must possess 1 full academic year of graduate level education or a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement. (school transcript required by closing date) GS-9: To substitute education for specialized experience, you must possess a master's or equivalent graduate degree or2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related; or you may combine specialized experience and graduate level education which totals at least 100 percent. (school transcript required by closing date) For applicants qualifying on the basis of education: A transcript or list of completed courses is required if you are claiming to qualify based on your education. The information presented in the transcript must be verifiable; at the minimum the transcript or list of courses should contain the name of the institution, applicant's name, semester hours, and GPA. If you provided an unofficial transcript or list of completed courses at the time of application and you are selected, you will be required to provide an official transcript prior to appointment. School transcript(s): All transcripts must be fully legible at the time of submission. Illegible, blurred, incomplete, or altered documents will not be reviewed. The reviewer will not modify, enhance, interpret, or alter any submitted documents for the purpose of determining qualifications. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials are clear and readable prior to submission. Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - US Department of Education. Another listing of services that an perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. Additional Information As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Employment of Relatives: Section 3110 of Title 5, U.S. Code, prohibits a Federal official from appointing, promoting, or advocating the appointment or promotion of a relative in the agency where the official is serving or exercises jurisdiction. In addition, Section 2302(b)(7) of Title 5, U.S. Code, makes it a "prohibited personnel practice" for a person in authority to "appoint, employ, promote, advance, or advocate for the appointment, employment, promotion, or advancement of a relative." For further information visit: and Work Life Balance: USITC offers Transit subsidy for commuters using public transportation (Metro Bus/Rail, MARC, VRE, etc.). This position is telework eligible. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, USITC requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully completed a background investigation. This review could include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. The agency may rescind the tentative offer, if the candidate is unable to obtain an interim clearance. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you are registered with the Selective Service or are exempt under Selective Service regulations. For additional information concerning Selective Service requirements, please visit Reasonable Accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact listed on the vacancy announcement. The decision to grant a reasonable accommodation is made on a case-by-case basis. Verification of information: Any information claimed on your resume and in application materials, such as education, credentials, employment history, etc., will be verified as part of the security clearance process. Vacancy ID number: MP-26-011-DF Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.

Created: 2026-03-04