Senior Attache (Mexico)

This position is located in DOL's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), serving in the U.S. Embassy in Mexico. The Senior Attaché in Mexico advises the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and the USG interagency on labor and employment issues, with a focus on implementation of the labor commitments in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

This is a temporary promotion NTE 3 years, with option to extend NTE 5 years total. See qualifications section. This position is outside the bargaining unit.

Qualifications:

T his position has a language proficiency requirement. The incumbent MUST be able to speak, read, and write in all styles and forms of the language pertinent to the duties of the position, Spanish.

This position is authorized foreign entitlements in accordance with the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR).This section is contingent upon host country approval.

When employee is assigned to Mexico, the employee will not receive Washington DC locality pay, salary will be adjusted to reflect basic pay. The Foreign Service Act and the President's Letter of Instruction to Chiefs of Mission give the COM full authority over and responsibility for the direction, coordination and supervision of all USG executive branch employees in his/her country, regardless of employment categories or locations, except those under the command of U.S. as in military commanders, or the staff of international organizations, or serving as Voice of America correspondents on assignment. Furthermore, all executive branch agencies with employees under COM authority must keep the COM full informed of their activities and ensure that all such employees comply fully with all applicable COM directives.

The base pay scale for the assignment in Mexico is as follow: $126,384.00 to $164,301.00 Per Year. The selected candidate will be relocated to Mexico at government expense and will be eligible for all benefits normally provided to US government employees at the US Embassy and Consulates in Mexico, including Post (Hardship) Differential. More information on Post Differential in Mexico may be found at: State Department Website

The selected applicant will be assigned to serve in the U.S. Embassy located in Mexico City, Mexico at time of appointment or sometime after appointment. The assignment in Mexico City is temporary for three years and may be extended up to five years. Upon completion or termination of the assignment, the Senior Attaché will return to their original position within ILAB in Washington, DC.

You must meet the Basic Requirements and the Specialized Experience to qualify for the Senior Attaché - Mexico, as described below.

Basic Requirements:

• Degree: major or equivalent, or a combination of courses totaling at least 24 semester hours in international law and international relations, political science, economics, history, sociology, geography, social or cultural anthropology, law, statistics, or in the humanities; or 12 semester hours in one of the above disciplines and 12 semester hours in statistics/quantitative methods.

• Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, or a combination of related courses totaling at least 24 semester hours, in one or more of the social sciences, or in the humanities, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

• Experience: four years of appropriate experience in one or more of the fields listed above in work associated with international organizations, problems, or other aspects of foreign affairs

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position, you must also meet the specialized experience listed below:

For GS-15: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-14 in the Federal Service.

Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.

Qualifying specialized experience is defined as having at least FOUR (4) of the following, equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-14 in the Federal Service or private sector:

• Implementing U.S. government international labor and trade mandates and priorities, such as assessing countries' labor laws and enforcement for their effectiveness in complying with international labor standards.
• Engaging in the development, negotiation, or implementation of U.S labor and employment policy in an international context.
• Developing and implementing plans for the monitoring and enforcement of labor or international commitments.
• Managing or leading a team to complete long term projects.
• Researching Mexico's geopolitical and industrial relations.

Responsibilities:

• The position implements and/or facilitates the implementation of USG labor and employment mandates, policies, programs, and initiatives, including those related to the US Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA), and advocates for, develops, and implements strategies to advance USG labor and employment priorities in Mexico. The position serves as an expert on labor and employment issues and developments in Mexico for officials of DOL and other USG agencies.
• Monitors labor and employment mandates, policies, programs, and initiatives, including direct technical assistance and technical assistance programming, the ILO, other international organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with interests in Mexico.
• Provides technical assistance to the Mexican government to facilitate legal reforms consistent with international labor standards and effective enforcement of labor laws and regulations.
• The position provides labor and employment expertise to the U.S. Mission, DOL, and other USG agencies to facilitate the development and implementation of targeted USG-funded grants and contracts addressing labor and employment challenges in Mexico, consistent with international labor standards and effective enforcement of labor laws and regulations.
• The position supports and closely coordinates and collaborates with the Human Rights Officer on the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and Trafficking in Persons report.
• The position serves as head of the labor office at the post and may provide oversight for any locally employed staff at post reporting to the labor office. The position serves as the main point of contact for ILAB initiatives in Mexico and acts as conduit of information and guidance to other Attachés in Mexico.
• Builds professional relationships with a wide range of USG and international contacts at varying levels of authority and earns the trust of Mexican counterparts to provide effective guidance and authoritative recommendations to these stakeholders.
• Provides onsite representation and expert and authoritative advice on all aspects of policies and programs that relate to the complete
  range of DOL's international mission concerning labor and employment policies and programs. Represents the Secretary of Labor's priorities to the Embassy.
• Conducts oral and written briefings and drafts analytical and spot cables, including in coordination with other Embassy officials. Responds to inquiries from USG agencies on labor and employment issues and developments especially as they relate to DOL mandates and mission priorities.

Salary : $126,384 - $164,301