U.S. Mission U.S. Embassy Sofia
Announcement Number: 2018–Sofia-38
Position Title: ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT
(Mission Program Analyst)
Opening Period: December 21, 2018 – January 21, 2019
Series/Grade: LE-710-09 (Full performance level)
LE-710-08 (Developmental level)
NOTE: Due to the required job specific knowledge, skills and abilities, the selected applicant may be hired at a developmental level one grade lower than the full performance level.
For More Info: Human Resources Office
Mailing Address: U.S. Embassy Sofia, Human Resources Office
16 Kozyak, 1408 Sofia
Who May Apply: All Interested Applicants /All Sources
Security Clearance Required: Local Security Certification
Duration Appointment: Indefinite, subject to successful completion of probationary period
Marketing Statement: We encourage you to read and understand the Eight (8) Qualities of Overseas Employees before you apply (https://careers.state.gov/downloads/files/eight-qualities-of-overseas-employees).
Summary: The U.S. Mission in Sofia, Bulgaria is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Administrative Management Assistant (Mission Program Analyst) in the office of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Attaché Office in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The work schedule for this position is full time – 40 hours per week.
Start date: Candidate must be able to begin working within a one month of receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.
Supervisory Position: No
Duties:
The incumbent serves as program analyst and staff assistant to the CBP Attaché, performing a full range of administrative support and analytical duties, a variety of liaison activities, and special assignments related to the office mission and function. Overseas the administrative management and operations of the office. Serves as an analyst or advisor to the Attaché on a major mission or administrative programs requiring application of a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods to assess complex management and program processes and systems.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EVALUATIONS
EDUCATION:
A university degree from an accredited institution in the area of Criminal Justice, Economics/Finance, Management, Business, or International Affairs is required.
Requirements:
EXPERIENCE:
At least three years (or the full-time equivalent) of prior job-related experience in a professional environment relating to international relations, immigration, border enforcement, customs enforcement protocols and procedures, national police enforcement or the administration of government rules and regulations.
The incumbent must have experience in two or more relevant Law Enforcement and/or Customs areas, such as: fraudulent documents, travel documents, immigration related forms and documents, customs procedures, immigration processes, airline procedures and regulations, border security and safety.
JOB KNOWLEDGE:
Full-performance level:
- Good working knowledge of analytical tools and methodology to develop and implement DHS laws, policies and regulations; resolve broad planning, evaluation, control, and resource allocation problems; and an ability to provide advice to management.
- A broad understanding of border control and immigration laws and regulations both civilly and criminally pertaining to prosecution of violators.
- A strong working knowledge of EU regulations, legal framework, and institutions.
- Strong knowledge of Customs and Border Protection programs and operations and its international impact. A working knowledge of the U.S. criminal justice system, U.S. border enforcement initiatives at, and between the Ports of Entry, and familiarity of U.S. law enforcement agencies in general.
- Thorough understanding of the key challenges facing the Customs and Border Protection sector in the region, a working familiarity with key local and regional institutions related to customs and border protection, and a proven ability to implement innovative solutions to such challenges.
Developmental level:
- A broad understanding of border control and immigration laws and regulations both civilly and criminally pertaining to prosecution of violators.
- A strong working knowledge of EU regulations, legal framework, and institutions.
- Basic knowledge of Customs and Border Protection programs and operations and its international impact.
- Understanding of the key challenges facing the Customs and Border Protection sector in the region, a working familiarity with key local and regional institutions related to customs and border protection, and a proven ability to implement innovative solutions to such challenges.
Evaluations:
LANGUAGE:
Level 4 (fluent) speaking/reading/writing English is required. Testing of English language will be performed.
Level 4 (fluent) speaking/reading/writing Bulgarian is required.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to learn the DHS/CBP National Strategy and implement pertinent objectives through his/her portfolio.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills, and the ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with a broad range of individuals, groups, institutions, and law enforcement organizations.
- Excellent oral and written language and communication skills in English and Bulgarian, including strong presentation skills, the ability to persuade and mobilize stakeholders; ability to prepare professional quality reports and presentations for both basic and senior level audiences.
- Ability to communicate difficult issues effectively orally and in written format.
- Ability to translate sensitive law enforcement materials, case files, and compose and submit reports in English and Bulgarian.
- Ability to monitor projects in various stages of design and implementation, including developing budget spreadsheets and statements of work and/or reviewing and analyzing project reports and financial statements to ensure on time achievement of project deliverables.
- Ability to effectively operate computer software (e.g. Internet search engines, word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, etc.)
- Interpersonal and administrative skills to organize and coordinate thorough, systematic, professional efforts to meet complex planning needs and unanticipated requirements, and to provide written and oral reports with conclusions, alternatives and recommendations on national and regional policies and projects
- Ability to plan and organize efforts across regional lines, including the ability to monitor progress to ensure that realistic objectives and milestones are established and to get mission requirements accomplished in a timely manner
- Ability to safely operate motor vehicles and possession of a valid Bulgarian driver’s license.
Qualifications:
All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO): The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.
Benefits: The US Mission provides competitive benefits package in addition to the base pay salary.
The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.
Other information:
HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS: Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.
HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:
(1) AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
(2) AEFM / USEFM
(3) FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights **
* IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), equivalent documentation, or certification. A “certification” is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted by the applicant. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Acceptable documentation must be submitted in order for the preference to be given.
** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP and CS with re-employment rights back to their agency or bureau.
For more information (i.e., what is an EFM, USEFM, AEFM, MOH, etc.) and for additional employment considerations, please visit the following link: https://careers.state.gov/downloads/files/definitions-for-va
How to Apply: All candidates must be able to obtain and hold a local security certification. Applicants must submit a Universal Application for Employment (DS-174) which is available on U.S. Embassy Sofia website https://bg.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/.
To apply for this position, applicants should electronically or via mail submit the documents listed below.
Only applications received in the Human Resources Office before the closing date of this job notice will be considered. Only short–listed candidates will be contacted for testing and interview.
Required Documents: Please provide the required documentation listed below with your application:
- DS-174
- Residency and/or Work Permit for non-Bulgarian citizen
- DD-214 – Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
- SF-50 (if applicable)
- Letter(s) of recommendation (if available)
- List of references
What to Expect Next: Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via email.
For further information: the complete position description listing all of the duties, responsibilities, required qualifications, etc. may be obtained by contacting the Human Resources office.
