Import Specialist

Duties
In this National Import Specialist position you will become a key team member of Homeland Security professionals assuring uniformity and correctness of CBP actions, and be accountable for Tariff Classification and will offer advice and guidance on valuation, marking, origin, admissibility, applicability of Trade Agreements and all other Commercial Operations responsibilities. Typical work assignments include:

• Working with and supporting, as appropriate, Field Office Staff, Port and Centers for Excellence and Expertise personnel and other staff (e.g. National Targeting Center Cargo) performing cargo clearance, entry review, and trade enforcement activities;
• Assisting in the preparation and issuance of binding tariff classification rulings to importers and other interested persons and referring tariff related information through the Commercial Targeting System to enhance effectiveness of national cargo and entry summary selectivity;
• Preparing comments and opinions on Requests for Internal Advice, Protests for Further Review, and other matters relating to classification, value and admissibility within an assigned line of merchandise;
• Promoting Informed Compliance by participating in commodity-specific training to the public and internal customers; and
• Monitoring and updating the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duty Module in the Automated Commercial Enterprise (ACE) System.

Qualifications
GS-12: You qualify at the GS-12 level if you possess one year of specialized experience working with merchandise determining correct tariff classification, value, and other import-related decisions on any of the formally entered commercial importations pertaining to an established line of merchandise; reviewing and evaluating incoming entry document packages for the full range of entries pertaining to an established line of merchandise; classifying and making related decisions on classification for admissibility into the U.S. commerce, undervaluation, countervailing duty, anti-dumping duty orders, suspected fraudulent claims by importers and exporters on Trade Agreements for a wide variety of imported articles or products within an established line of merchandise; and administering requirements to importations assigned.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
You must:

• Meet all qualification requirements, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
• Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 06/07/2017.
  The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances.

Residency: If you are not currently a CBP employee, you must meet one or more of the following primary residency criteria for at least three (3) years, prior to applying to this announcement:

1. Physically resided in the United States or its protectorate or territories (excluding short trips abroad, such as vacations);
2. Worked for the United States government as an employee overseas in a federal or military capacity; or
3. Been a dependent of a United States federal or military employee serving overseas as an authorized accompany to the federal civilian or military member to the foreign location.
   Exceptions may be granted if you provide complete state-side coverage information regarding participation in "Study Abroad" programs, overseas church missions, or state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with you overseas. You must provide information and related documentation at the time of application.

Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal Government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. Information about ICTAP or CTAP eligibility can be found here. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must possess the knowledge, skills and abilities and/or competencies clearly exceeding the minimum requirements of the position.