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Agricultural Communications Assistant (Foreign Agricultural Service)

This position is advertised under the Locally Employed Staff Program of the United States Mission in China. All applicants must already have relevant documentation to permanently and legally reside and work in China to be eligible for consideration.

Position is subject to funding availability.

OPEN TO: All Interested Candidates

POSITION: Agricultural Communications Assistant (FAS)

OPENING DATE: February 8, 2011

CLOSING DATE: February 21, 2012

(Only applications received by the closing date will be considered)

WORK HOURS: Full-time; 40 hours/week

GRADE: Not-Ordinarily Resident: FP-6 USD 44,737 p.a.

(starting salary, final grade will be determined by Washington)

Ordinarily Resident: FSN-8 RMB 131,791 p.a.

(starting salary includes allowance and bonus)

The U.S. Embassy in Beijing is seeking an individual for the position of Agricultural Communications Assistant with the Foreign Agricultural Service office.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

Under the supervision of the Director of the Agricultural Affairs Office, this position oversees the web site for Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) China ensuring that timely and accurate messages are provided to the Mission’s audiences via a wide variety of social media platforms. The incumbent is responsible for designing, selecting, monitoring and producing content for the overall development and maintenance of FAS China’s web site and social media pages. The incumbent is also responsible for monitoring trade and price data, developing success stories, managing office databases, providing general information technology support, and managing the computer hardware inventory of the Agricultural Affairs Office. In addition, the incumbent serves as a link between the Office of Agricultural Affairs and the various Agricultural Trade Offices that operate in China.

A copy of the complete position description listing all duties and responsibilities is available in the Office of Human Resources (x4500).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Applicants who fail to do so, or who do not meet the position’s required qualifications, will not be considered for this position.

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in humanities or hard sciences with some course work in the IT or multimedia area is required.

Experience:

  • Three years of progressively responsible experience in the fields of marketing, market research/analysis, Internet and web site management and/or design, electronic communication, web outreach, or web journalism is required.

Language:

  • Level 4 (Fluent) speaking/reading/writing in English is required.
  • Level 4 (Fluent) speaking/reading/writing in Mandarin Chinese is required.

Knowledge:

  • Advanced knowledge of computers and file types.
  • Advanced knowledge of computer software, Lotus Notes, MS Access, and electronic filing protocols. Familiarization with Web design software such as Dreamweaver and creating document links.

Abilities and skills:

  • Must have excellent writing, analytical skills and organizational skills, the ability to work independently, to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, to set priorities, to elaborate strategies to carry out complex projects autonomously, and to work effectively as a member of a team. Must be able to produce a large volume of work accurately, in a timely manner, and occasionally under time pressure. Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of plans developed to communicate to the public.

SELECTION CRITERIA

When equally qualified, U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (US EFMs) and U.S. Veterans who are legally residing in country will be given preference. Therefore, it is essential that the candidate specifically address the required qualifications above in the application.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA

  • All completed applications received by the closing date will be reviewed by HR to determine which applicants meet the advertised position’s required qualifications. When appropriate, the HR Office will administer necessary language and/or skills testing to confirm an applicant’s qualifications.
  • Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy.
  • Current Locally Employed Staff employees are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their appointment.
  • Current Ordinarily Resident employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible to apply.
  • Currently employed U.S. Citizen EFMs who hold a Family Member Appointment (FMA) are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment.
  • Currently employed NORs hired under a Personal Services Agreement (PSA) are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment unless currently hired into a position with a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.
  • Ordinarily Resident applicants or applicants without a U.S. social security number will be paid according to the Local Compensation Plan in local currency (RMB). There are no exceptions to this regulation.
  • The candidate must be able to obtain and hold a Secret/Top Secret security clearance. [IF APPLICABLE]

TO APPLY

Interested candidates for this position should submit the following:

  1. Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member DS-0174; or
  2. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information found on the DS-0174; or
  3. A combination of both; i.e. Sections 1 -24 of the DS-0174 along with a listing of the applicant’s work experience attached as a separate sheet; plus
  4. Candidates who claim US Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application. If the DD-214 is not submitted with the application, the applicant will not be considered for Veterans Preference.
  5. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.
  6. Copy of passport showing Chinese Government approval to permanently and legally reside and work in China (does not apply to Chinese nationals, US EFMs, or EFMs).

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO

Human Resources Office

American Embassy Beijing, China

No.55 An Jia Lou, Beijing 100600

Email: USEmbassyBJHR@state.gov

(Please specify the position title in the subject line.)

Fax: 86-10-8531-4545

Website: www.usembassy-china.org.cn /

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION: 11:59 P.M. February 21, 2012