VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

Announcement No.:    2006-10                     Issue Date:    August 28, 2006                 Closing Date:    September 25, 2006 Area of Consideration:    All Sources*

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The FMC is an independent regulatory agency tasked with the regulation of oceanborne transportation in the foreign commerce of the U.S., whose mission is to (1) develop and administer policies and regulations that foster a fair, efficient, and secure maritime transportation system; (2) protect U.S. maritime commerce from unfair foreign trade practices, and market-distorting activities; (3) facilitate compliance with U.S. shipping statutes through oversight and outreach; and (4) assist in resolving disputes.  The FMC reviews operational and pricing agreements among ocean common carriers and among marine terminal operators (MTO) to ensure that they do not unreasonably increase transportation costs or decrease services. This position involves reviewing and analyzing the competitive impact of carrier and MTO agreements filed with the Commission, and researching, compiling, and analyzing trade data associated with the regulation of various segments of the international ocean shipping industry. The incumbent prepares written recommendations to the Commission and senior management and economic and statistical studies, summaries, or reports for use by senior management in decision-making processes.  As necessary, the incumbent prepares testimony and/or pertinent exhibits for use in formal proceedings before the Commission; participates in technical conferences or other meetings and contacts various officials of the international ocean shipping industry to discuss agreement issues and regulatory policies.  Incumbent performs work individually or as a team member, and handles multiple projects/assignments concurrently.  To develop expertise in different functional areas, the incumbent will participate in a variety of rotational, cross-training assignments within the Office/Bureau.

DUTY STATION: Washington, DC

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  All applicants are required to meet the qualification requirements listed in the OPM Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions (which is available for review in any Federal Personnel Office or online at www.opm.gov).  Those requirements are summarized below:

 

GS-9:  Applicants must possess 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level OR have successfully completed all requirements for a master’s or equivalent degree OR two full academic years of graduate education in fields related to the work of the position.

GS-11:  Applicants must possess 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level OR have successfully completed three full years of progressively higher level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

 

Specialized experience is experience that is in, or directly related, to the line of work of the position to be filled and that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of that position, e.g., experience in research and analysis of data related to complex matters associated with regulatory issues.  Applicants who lack specialized experience may substitute successfully completed education as described above.  Major study in business or public administration, economics, statistics, business or international law, transportation, logistics, industrial management or other fields related to the work of the position are acceptable.

 QUALITY RANKING FACTORS:  Applicants who meet the qualification requirements described above will be further evaluated by determining the extent to which their education, work experience, or related training, awards, and performance appraisals indicate they possess or have the potential to acquire the following knowledge, skills and abilities. 

1.                  Demonstrated skill in researching, compiling, and analyzing data and presenting the results.

 

2.                  Demonstrated skill in using various word-processing, spreadsheet, and/or database software programs such as MS Word, Excel, or Access and the ability to research online.

 

3.                  Demonstrated skill and ability in oral and written communications, including experience in attending and contributing at meetings with outside representatives and preparation of letters, memoranda, and other business-related/analytical writing.  A writing sample is required.

1.         A current, complete application, e.g., an Optional Form 612 (Optional Application for Federal Employment), a resume, or any other application in written format (required).

 

The following information must be contained in your application:

a.         announcement number, title, and grade(s) - please indicate lowest grade acceptable

b.         full name, mailing address, day and evening phone numbers

c.         social security number

d.         country of citizenship

e.         Forms DD-214 and/or SF-15 as appropriate (proof of veterans’ preference)

2.                  A copy of the most recent performance appraisal and performance plan (elements and standards for achievement) if not indicated clearly on the annual performance appraisal (required of current Federal employees).

3.                  A copy of the last or latest SF-50, “Notification of Personnel Action.” (required of all current Federal employees and of candidates applying on the basis of their reinstatement eligibility);

4.                  College or university transcript OR handwritten List of College Courses and Certificate of Scholastic Achievement, showing total credits earned and indicating whether semester or quarter hours (required of all candidates applying for employment based on education acquired); and

5.                  Supplemental narrative statement addressing the quality ranking factors (required).

 

 

As a condition of employment, new appointees to the Federal service will be subject to a background investigation.

 

New appointments to the Federal Government are made at the minimum rate of the grade, e.g., step 1, except in certain rare instances as determined by OPM.

 

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

 

All status applicants must meet time-in-grade requirements.  Status candidates who wish to be rated under both merit promotion and OPM’s competitive process must submit two complete applications.  Please clearly indicate on your application or resume the procedure under which you are applying and include proof of your eligibility for any special appointing authority.  If only one application is received, it will be considered under the merit promotion program.

 

Fluency in the Spanish language is desirable.

 

Selectees for this vacancy may be required to participate in training courses to improve and/or enhance the level of their knowledge, skill, and ability in the above referenced quality ranking factors.

If selected, applicants must complete an OF-306, “Declaration for Federal Employment.”  Failure to comply may be grounds for withdrawal of an offer of employment.  Selectee will be required to provide documentation that establishes his/her identity and employment eligibility as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-103, dated November 6, 1986).

 

Male selectees born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Appointment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.  Failure to comply may be grounds for withdrawal of an offer of employment or termination after employment.  

 

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) eligibles must be well-qualified for the position to receive special selection priority.  To be considered well-qualified, candidates must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements and must meet the fully successful level using the established rating criteria.  Documentary evidence, e.g., Reduction-in-Force (RIF) Notice, Certification of Expected Separation, SF-50 documenting separation by RIF, or a letter from OPM or your agency documenting your priority consideration status MUST accompany your application to receive special selection priority.

 

Displaced District of Columbia Government, Department of Corrections employees will be eligible for priority consideration and competitive appointment (Public Law 105-274).  Eligible candidates are not restricted by geographic location or grade level in jobs for which they apply.  Documentary evidence is the same as above.

 

Applications must be received or postmarked* no later than the closing date of the announcement and should be sent to the Office of Human Resources, Room 924, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20573. 

 

1. Applications can be e-mailed to: humanresources@fmc.gov.  All e-mailed applications must be sent as an attachment in MS Word or WordPerfect format.  Applications included in the body of the e-mail or in other formats will NOT be considered.  Applications submitted electronically should be received in our agency e-mail system by the closing date of the announcement.  Additional application materials may be faxed to the agency at the number shown below by the closing date of the announcement.

 

2. Applications can be faxed to the FMC at : 202-523-7842.

 

3. Applications can be sent to the FMC via a private delivery service such as UPS, FedEx, etc.

 

 

Applications submitted become the property of the Federal Maritime Commission and will not be returned.  For further information regarding this announcement contact Mary McPherson on (202) 523-5773 or by e-mail at mmcpherson@fmc.gov.  NOTE: The filing of job applications is a personal matter, not official government business.  Such personal mail is, therefore, subject to payment of postage by the employee.  Applications received in official postage-paid or government franked envelopes will not be acknowledged or considered.

 

This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please contact the Office of Human Resources on (202) 523-5773.  The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case-basis.