Job Description
Foreign Affairs Specialist
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Office of APL, Office of International Affairs, Western Hemisphere Office, AWH-1
Summary
The incumbent is the top agency focal point on U.S. civil aviation policies, practices and procedures in his/her area of responsibility. He/-she must coordinate and manage aviation-related activities within his/her geographical portfolio with other U.S. Government agencies and industry and with foreign civil aviation authorities and international aviation organizations.
Duties
Serves as a recognized expert within FAA and is called upon to provide leadership for highly complex and challenging activities under the minimal direction of a manager or executive. May act as a technical expert to develop new and innovative concepts, approaches, methodologies, techniques and policies or as a senior project manager.
Implements the key focus areas of the FAA Global Leadership Initiative. Develops initiatives that advance U.S. standards, policies, and procedures to achieve a more safe, efficient, sustainable, global air transportation system and competitive marketplace in priority countries and regions. Formulates strategies to help achieve a harmonized system of air traffic control and air navigation that benefit the operation of the National Airspace System and U.S. civil and military aircraft.
Identifies and executes bilateral arrangements that codify U.S. and foreign commitments to harmonize standards, and/or adoption of U.S. practices through prioritized technical assistance and cooperative arrangements. Collaborates with FAA Lines of Business (LOB) to advance the international component of FAA programmatic initiatives as the international standard and to ensure interoperability.
Works with International Civil Aviation Organization regional bodies and entities, other designated regional bodies, as well as identified critical states and partners, to formulate FAA initiatives of appropriate scope and scale to U.S. interests that efficiently leverage the FAA presence and efficacy in the world.
Applies experience and expert technical knowledge of foreign affairs, as well as an understanding of new technologies and methodologies, to perform critical tasks requiring the development of new concepts, systems or innovative approaches. Identifies and resolves highly complex problems or issues which often cross organizational boundaries and impact on the accomplishment of FAA's strategic objectives.
Supports the FAA's international mission. Builds critical networks and relationships with U.S. embassies, foreign governments, air navigation service providers, and aviation industry representatives. Collects, analyzes and distributes critical information and intelligence in his/her area of responsibility. Assists FAA decision makers in effectively developing and implementing the FAA International Strategy and contributing to the FAA's strategic planning by formulating FAA initiatives of appropriate scope and scale to U.S. interests that efficiently leverage the FAA presence and efficacy in the world.
Contacts are internal and external. Often represents FAA as the primary technical authority for major projects, programs and other areas of FAA responsibility. Formulates and recommends organizational positions on major projects/policies/issues to senior management. Prepares, reviews and may approve organizational reports or policies for internal and external distribution. Develops briefings to convey strategic vision or policies to internal and external audiences.
Works mainly independently and has broad discretion to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and policies. Work typically is reviewed for success in achieving planned results, not technical merit.