THIS POSITION REQUIRES AN ACTIVE US GOVERNMENT SECURITY CLEARANCE
The Sr. Defense Trade Licensing Expert position supports the Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). The DDTC works to ensure commercial exports of defense articles and defense services align with U.S. requirements and advance U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives. The Sr. Defense Technology Licensing Expert will work under general supervision using their knowledge of foreign policy, industrial and technological advances and existing U.S. Arms Export Control Act (ACEA) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to support the review of munitions export requests and approve, return without action, or deny license applications.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Review, analyze, and evaluate cases in several commodity categories assigned to him/her (e.g., military electronics, arms and ammunition, aircraft, tanks, naval vessels, radar, and missiles) to identify all pertinent legal, policy, regulatory, and procedural considerations. Collect and analyze data and information provided by U.S. industry and available precedent cases
- Determines the necessity for, and refers for coordination, significant cases (e.g., those without clear precedent or involving sensitive countries) to concerned agencies, such as the Department of Defense, NASA and, as appropriate, to bureaus in the Department, for their recommendations
- Makes final decisions to approve, return without action, or deny license applications based on knowledge of commodity categories, foreign policy, and industrial and technological advances
- Coordinates outside recommendations and provides recommendations to approve or deny license applications and transfer requests
- Determines whether a particular request requires Congressional notification, and prepares the required notifications, including coordination with appropriate offices /agencies based on legislation or U.S. policy
- Conducts discussions with U.S. industry on individual cases prior to submission, and during the review process
- Provides guidance to industry on export policy and administrative practices and interpretation of the ITAR and pertinent laws and legislation
- Assists in making determinations regarding whether items are on the U.S. Munitions List
- Recommends certain cases to the Office of Defense Trade Controls Policy to determine the validity of the transaction
- Identifies and recommends cases which may require investigation for violations to the Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance
- Responds to inquiries from applicants on individual cases
- Provides guidance on export policy and administrative practices to applicants and other U.S. Government agencies
- Drafts and coordinates memoranda, congressional letters, standard operating procedures, escalation justifications, and other communications on matters relating to his/her responsibilities, including decision memoranda for the signature of the Secretary of State
- Acquires, through review of current world events, technical journals, etc., knowledge in foreign policy, industrial and technological advances as related to his/her assigned responsibilities and other commodities outside of his/her assigned responsibilities
- Represents, under the supervision of an employee of higher grade, the Office, Directorate, Bureau, and Department at interagency export control and non-proliferation groups and training/outreach activities, including closed and public events
- Represents, under the supervision of an employee of higher grade, the Office, Directorate, Bureau, or Department, depending on context, in meetings within the Department and interagency and with foreign governments and industry, providing expert advice, explaining laws and regulations, and explaining or defending official policies and positions
- Works closely with the Office of Defense Trade Controls Policy and U.S. Customs officer assigned to DDTC by providing guidance necessary to determine the seizure or release of shipments detained by Customs, or jurisdictional control and compliance with U.S. regulations
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's Degree
- 3 Years' Experience in a role directly related to AECA and ITAR compliance
- Knowledge of U.S. foreign policy and national security
- Knowledge of legislation affecting arms transfers
- Knowledge of DDTC registration, compliance, and licensing processes
- Strong interpersonal and partnering skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and presentation skills. The government may require writing samples
- Strong computer skills to include use of Microsoft Office Suites
- Demonstrated ability to research, interpret and apply regulatory material in the process of evaluating license applications and taking final action on specific requests
- Demonstrated ability to work in a high-paced environment, meet deadlines; manage time, distribute responsibilities, and achieve milestones and deliverables
- May be required to travel to Domestic and International locations