Overseas Opportunity--WRD 00-03 (Tel Aviv)
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(bcc: Anna M Lenox/WRD/USGS/DOI)
05/02/2000
Subject: Overseas Opportunity--WRD 00-03 (Tel Aviv)
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
2-YEAR FOREIGN ASSIGNMENT
Position: U.S. Coordinator, Regional Water Data Banks Project
Announcement No.: WRD 00-03
This announcement offers an opportunity for qualified Water Resources
Division (WRD) employees to apply for an overseas assignment in Tel Aviv,
Israel.
Opening Date: May 1, 2000
Closing Date: May 26, 2000
Appropriate Skill Level: GS14/15
Duty Station: Tel Aviv, Israel
Length of Assignment: 2 years beginning on or about August 1, 2000
For information contact: Anna Lenox, Deputy Chief, International Water
Resources Branch, OACH/PO-Reston, Telephone: 703-648-5053, email:
alenox@usgs.gov or Bill Shampine, IWRB, OACH/PO-Denver, Telephone:
303-236-4935, email: shampine@usgs.gov.
Project Background: The Middle East Peace Process was initiated in 1991.
A multilateral track began in 1992 to focus on issues of common interest
that can best be addressed on a regional basis. The multilateral track
consists of five working groups, one of which is the Working Group on Water
Resources. In 1995, the USGS proposed a multilateral project designed to
improve the availability and applicability of water data information in
areas of Israeli, Jordanian, and Palestinian interest. Specifically, the
plan was designed to upgrade existing water data banks while creating one
for the Palestinians. The project goal is to enable the exchange of
consistent, compatible, and reliable water data and information to support
decision making at both local and regional scales. The project has enjoyed
remarkable success both technically and in building positive relationships
among the regional parties. You are invited to visit the project web site
at: http://www.wwg-exact.org.
Statement of Duties: The incumbent serves as regional coordinator of U.S.
contributions to the Regional Water Data Banks Project, as well as senior
water resources advisor and technical expert to Israeli, Jordanian, and
Palestinian water agencies and to American Embassy staff in both Jordan and
Israel. The incumbent develops and maintains contacts with representatives
from countries involved in the Middle East Peace Process to seek both
financial and technical support for project implementation. The Data Banks
Coordinator also guides and coordinates the development and upgrading of
water data systems, utilizing both U.S. resources and resources from
international donors to achieve both project and U.S. political goals. The
Coordinator also provides local technical and logistical support to other
USGS project staff and assists in development and implementation of new
project activities. The Data Banks Coordinator must work in a culturally
diverse atmosphere, and must serve as a facilitator, technical expert,
manager, and confidant. The work requires diverse technical skills,
political acumen, and the ability to facilitate relationships among people
with diverse beliefs and expectations. It also requires extensive travel
to Israel, Jordan, and Palestinian areas. Personal socialization with the
incumbent's local colleagues and their families is an important aspect of
this position.
Special Knowledges, Abilities, Skills, and other Characteristics (KASOC's)
Required
1. Ability to establish goals, coordinate programs, and make sound
decisions.
2. Ability to meet deadlines, maintain production, and work well with
others.
3. Ability to communicate interpersonally and in writing.
4. Knowledge of multi-discipline hydrologic investigational methods.
5. Ability to apply computer techniques to data analysis.
Application Materials: Submit by Email, through normal supervisory
channels, to Anna Lenox (alenox@USGS.gov) and to Bill Shampine
(shampine@USGS.gov):
1. Memorandum of interest addressing KASOC's.
2. Updated Career Documentation Profile or Curriculum Vitae detailing work
experience.
3. Most recent supervisory rating.
NOTE: Sending the Memorandum of Interest and CDP/CV as word documents
attached to your email is preferred.
Information about this Assignment:
The individual selected for this assignment will be given a 2-year Excepted
Appointment with the potential to renew if the project is extended.
Foreign Service Regulations apply to this position. A temporary, one-grade
promotion will be given for the duration of the overseas assignment
(applies to GS-14 applicants; GS-15 applicants will not receive a temporary
promotion). The Federal pay cap limits all pay and allowances. Upon
completion of the overseas assignment, the employee will be reassigned to a
position in the domestic program similar in grade and responsibility to
their former domestic position; however, return to the same position or
geographic location is not guaranteed. Furnished housing is provided, as
well as a lightly armored vehicle to be used for official business only.
Geographic location pay does not apply; however, a cost-of-living allowance
reimburses the employee for certain excess costs which result from being
officially stationed in a foreign area. The amount paid is a flat rate
varying in relation to basic salary, size of family, and post, regardless
of individual expenses. The cost-of-living allowance, or "post allowance"
is granted to an employee officially stationed at a post in a foreign area
where the cost of living, exclusive of quarters costs, is substantially
higher than in Washington, D.C.
Anna Lenox
International Water Resources Branch
420 National Center
Reston, VA 20192
Phone: 703-648-5053
Fax: 703-648-6687
Email: alenox@usgs.gov