Commercial Specialist

OPEN TO:   Current employees of the Mission, U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs), Eligible Family Members (EFMs) and Members of Household (MOH) – All Agencies

POSITION:   Commercial Specialist, FSN-11*; FP-4**   

OPENING DATE:   December 21, 2012 

CLOSING DATE:   January 7, 2013 

WORK HOURS:   Full-time; 40 hours/week 

SALARY:   *Ordinarily Resident: W68,698,834 p.a. (Starting salary)   (Position Grade: FSN-11)
**Not-Ordinarily Resident: US$53,003 p.a. (Starting salary)   (Position Grade: FP-4 to be confirmed by Washington)

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul is seeking an individual for the position of Commercial Specialist in the Foreign Commercial Service. 

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

A senior professional analyst and advisor to the U.S. staff in planning, organizing and administering programs to facilitate the marketing of U.S. goods and services in Korea.  Maintains an extensive range of mid- to senior-level contacts in business and government.  Informs host government officials and business organizations about U.S. legislation, regulations and practices pertaining to foreign trade.  Mentors junior staff on Commercial Service policies and procedures, serves as team leader for more extensive projects, and may be requested to supervise and/or provide training to junior staff in all aspects related to the work of Commercial Specialists.  Performs other duties as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

1. Education: Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, science, business & management, communications, law, engineering, design or related field is required.
2. Prior Work Experience: Five years of progressively responsible experience in business, government or NGOs in the fields of marketing, trade promotion, international trade, economics, economic research, banking or similar field.
3. Language Proficiency: Level IV (Fluent) English and Korean ability is required. 
4. Job Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the domestic economy, commercial and industrial structure, business and industry customs and practices, and trade and investment laws, regulations and policies.  Comprehensive understanding of foreign trade policy and issues affecting the domestic economy's bilateral trade relations with the United States.  Thorough understanding of CS trade promotion goals, programs and procedures, marketing strategies and reporting requirements.  Thorough knowledge of U.S. business practices, problems, requirements and activities. 
5. Skills and Abilities: Ability to develop and maintain an extensive range of mid- to high-level contacts in the host government and private sector; to plan, organize, and execute complex commercial research projects and to prepare precise and accurate reports embodying in-depth analytical evaluation: and to render advice with detachment and objectivity, employing sound professional judgment.  Able to deal with a range of domestic and U.S. contacts, including senior USG officials and corporate executives;  well-developed counseling skills, combined with sales and marketing skills;  excellent research and writing abilities; able to juggle concurrent work projects with competing deadlines.   

SELECTION PROCESS

When fully qualified, U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and U.S. Veterans are given preference.  Therefore, it is essential that the candidate specifically address the required qualifications above in the application.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy.
2. Current Ordinarily Resident employees serving a one-year probationary period are not eligible to apply.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates for this position must submit the following for consideration of the application:

1. Universal Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174); or
2. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information found on the UAE (see Appendix B); or
3. A combination of both; i.e. Sections 1-24 of the UAE along with a listing of the applicant’s work experience attached as a separate sheet; plus
4. Candidates who claim U.S. Veteran’s preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application.  Candidates who claim conditional U.S. Veterans preference must submit documentation confirming eligibility for a conditional preference in hiring with their application.
5. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, award) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

Note:  If you have any family members who are currently working at the U.S. Embassy, Seoul, you are required to specify on your application or resume his/her name, office and relationship with you.

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO

Human Resources Office

American Embassy

188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu

Seoul 110-710, Korea, or Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-5550

E-mail: SeoulRecruiter@State.Gov

Fax: 82-2-397-4107