INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SPECIALIST

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is: The strategic purpose of this position is to provide comprehensive management and long-range planning for the exchange and liaison program.

Duties

• Performs professional level work in support of policy development and implementation at a senior level. Provides manpower and budget oversight for the Exchange and Liaison programs. Serves as the principal advisor and lead for the administrative management of all Department of the Air Force (DAF) exchange and liaison programs. Serves as the principal advisor and SAF/IAPE lead for the digital transformation of the Exchange and Liaison Program's business processes.

Qualifications

Employee must meet the mandatory standards of experience and training; to include after accepting the position completing the required Security Cooperation Workforce certification standards within the timeframes outlined by the Defense Security Cooperation University In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions, 0131. BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: DEGREE: A major or equivalent, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours in international law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; or 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics/quantitative methods. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in one or more of the social sciences, or in the humanities, as shown in above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. OR EXPERIENCE: Four years of appropriate experience in one or more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-13, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes:expert knowledge of political-military affairs expertise and policy oversight of Air Force plans, programs, and requirements involving international affairs for assigned AOR; directs Security Cooperation programs in the regions. They will have final decision-making authority for program resources and strategy for their programs, while remaining responsive to new or revised direction from higher headquarters. Advises, assists, and supports the Office of Secretary of the Air Force, The Office of the Chief of Staff, The Office of the Chief Space Officer, and all principal, civilian and military officials of the USAF and USSF concerning international policies and programs in all regions. Mastery of working with the U.S. Ambassador's staff and their Country Teams to assess and support country requirements in the regions. Expert knowledge of interfacing directly with both countries' embassies in Washington DC and their headquarters throughout all regions by serving as the focal point for all MPEP, ESEP, APEP, ODE, and LNO programs. Mastery of advanced management and organizational principles and practices along with a comprehensive knowledge of providing direction to field agencies throughout the DAF to successfully develop and execute international programs in the regions. Knowledge of military command structure, missions, programs, and organizational relationships plus a thorough knowledge of quantitative and qualitative methods and techniques to develop staffing standards covering complex program functions or missions, e.g., management of agency research operations, or staffing requirements for new or substantially altered training or operational missions and programs. Works closely with Department of War and other Defense Agencies in the establishment of security cooperation programs. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in­-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of exchange and liaison programs under the Exchange and Liaison Division, and awareness of the United States Code, DoW policies, and DAF policies concerning participation of international personnel in exchange and liaison assignments. Knowledge of the host country political, social, economic, and cultural conditions where DAF personnel are assigned to exchange and liaison positions to negotiate and advocate support from appropriate government agencies, to include an awareness of the working and living environment abroad. Knowledge of the DAF manpower management and international programs, and the ability to apply this expertise to establish strategic goals, approve final objectives, and develop authoritative recommendations that serve as the basis for final decisions on program participation. Knowledge of the DoW financial management principles, the DAF budget process, and IAPE cost factors, and the skill to apply this expertise to forecast, fund, and exercise final approval authority over the program budget. Knowledge of DAF personnel assignment system policy and processes. Skill in managing and coordinating complex activities in a multi-functional environment involving interaction with senior executives and management levels of the Air Force, DoW, and international partners. Skill in directing complex, multi-functional, and interagency teams, and in preparing and delivering authoritative briefings to senior U.S. and foreign officials to negotiate, influence, and secure binding commitments. Ability to represent SAF/IA both within and outside SAF/IA to gain support for SAF/IAPE's program goals by communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, through the preparation and presentation of briefings and reports to senior U.S. and foreign government officials. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. ********************ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ACTIVE DUTY SERVICES MEMBERS******************** ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD-Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD-Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following: Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member Branch of Armed Forces Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s) Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty Terminal leave start date (if applicable) Expected character of service (honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement) Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander. Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form-214 must be submitted upon receipt

How to apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/14/2026To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13048630To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name.4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here.PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.