Foreign Affairs Specialist

Foreign Affairs Specialist

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

Summary

The position is located in the Office of APL, Office of International Affairs, Office of Asia Pacific and serves as the FAA desk officer and a focal point on U.S. civil aviation policies, practices and procedures in his/her geographic area of responsibility within the Asia Pacific Region. The incumbent performs multiple, varying and complex assignments under the minimal direction of the manager and the associated FAA Senior Representative based overseas.

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This job is open to

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current or former competitive service federal employees.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current excepted service federal employees.

Veterans

Clarification from the agency

Also open to former Excepted service federal employees eligible under an interchange agreement. Current or former federal employees must have met a one-year probationary period or trial period in the competitive or excepted service. Applications will be accepted from preference eligible and veterans who are honorably discharged from the Armed Forces after completing at least 3 years of continuous active duty service.

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Duties

Plans, develops, evaluates and recommends FAA policies for meeting international civil aviation objectives and operational responsibilities. Consults with FAA operational services, FAA representatives and International Area Offices; other U.S. Government agencies, such as the Departments of State and Defense; U. S. industry associations and representatives of U.S. Embassies and foreign governments, including civil aviation officials in those countries; and representatives of international and regional groups such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) etc.

Develops, presents, and implements analysis supporting proposed agency policies, positions and specific programs directed toward attainment of FAA international aviation objectives.

Leads FAA participation in, and assists in developing U.S. policy and positions for our attendance at regional international civil aviation organizations’ activities, to ensure adequate FAA representation and further our civil aviation objectives.

Develops recommendations on extent to which the FAA should and will accept responsibility for execution of foreign programs or projects.

Coordinates with responsible officials of sponsoring and controlling agencies to determine and articulate responsibilities to be assumed by the FAA in connection with foreign aviation technical assistance of the United States Government.

Plans and executes program and document decisions and arranges for the resources (personnel, equipment, funding) required to execute agreed FAA responsibilities in the foreign technical assistance field.

Contacts are internal and external. Works closely with other U.S. Government departments and agencies, with other FAA offices and with U.S. aviation industry on developing cooperation efforts and agreements, including the fields of aviation safety, air traffic control and air navigation. Develops and presents briefing, background and issue papers on technical, policy and political aspects of international aviation issues, in preparation for and in support of anticipated meetings, travel, or decision-making by senior FAA officials. Presents special studies, speeches and arranges the necessary logistical support for such events.

Answers correspondence and inquires received from Congress, the public and foreign governments and their representatives on a wide variety of FAA international program activities.

As assigned, the incumbent serves as back-up to counterpart employees in the staff for the performance of the above duties for countries other than those for which the position has primary responsibility.

Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for addressing issues, but allow considerable discretion to develop new and innovative approaches. Draws on experience to solve unusual problems and may create new solutions and policy interpretations as the situation requires. Provides policy guidance and instruction to others, both internally and externally.

Work is reviewed rarely, typically though status reports and at project completion, to ensure technical compliance and alignment with the requirements of the project or other work activity.