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U.S. COmmercial Service Employment

Intern Office Positions and Descriptions

SELECTUSA

SelectUSA is a government-wide initiative to promote business investment in the United States by both domestic and foreign firms.  Select USA provides coordination to existing resources and functions within Commerce and across all federal departments and agencies with operations relevant to its mission.  It works in partnership with state, regional and local economic development organizations to promote and facilitate overall U.S. business attraction and retention.  Select USA works on behalf of the entire Nation and exercises strict geographic neutrality. SelectUSA’s mission is to help support business investment to create jobs, spur economic growth and promote American competitiveness.

SelectUSA Internships
Select USA internships are excellent opportunities for graduate students to gain valuable experience and insight into business investment in the United States, international capital flows, and U.S. investment policy.  Duties will range across all aspects of the operation, including responding to incoming investor inquiries; significant assignments in research, writing, and economic analysis; generation of reports, PowerPoint presentations, talking points and briefing materials for U.S. government officials; providing assistance to SelectUSA’s Managers of Global Business Attraction in conducting related research, market analysis, and other ongoing activities; and assisting with the office’s administrative workload.

The types of work which an intern might do are varied and may include:

• Responding to incoming investor inquiries
• Researching, writing, and producing economic analysis
• Generating reports, PowerPoint presentations, talking points, and briefing materials for U.S.  
• government officials
• Providing assistance to SelectUSA’s Managers of Global Business Attraction in conducting
• related research, market analysis, and other ongoing activities
• Assisting with the office’s administrative workload

An ideal candidate will have…
Candidates should have academic or professional experience in international relations, economics, international investment and/or trade issues; excellent research and writing skills; excellent computer skills including MS Office applications like Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Word; U.S. citizenship; and current enrollment in a graduate school program.  Interns may work full- or part-time (at least 20 hours per week).

 

THE ADVOCACY CENTER

The Advocacy Center coordinates U.S. Government resources and authority in order to level the playing field on behalf of U.S. business interests as they compete against foreign firms for specific international contracts or other U.S. export opportunities.  Advocacy assistance is wide and varied but often involves companies that want the U.S. Government to communicate a message to foreign governments or government-owned corporations on behalf of their commercial interest, typically in a competitive bid contest.   The Advocacy Center also has U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) liaisons to five Multilateral Development Banks (World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Africa Development Bank and Asia Development Bank) to assist U.S. firms and advocate on their behalf when they compete for Bank tenders. The liaisons counsel U.S. companies on how to work with the Banks and advocate on procurement and contracting issues to ensure fair and equal treatment for U.S. companies.

Advocacy Center Internships
The Advocacy Center has an on-going need for energetic, enthusiastic undergraduate and graduate students to intern with us. We offer an excellent opportunity for students to learn how the U.S. Government assists U.S. companies win foreign government tenders.

Interns will help staff with day-to-day operations of the Advocacy Center. These tasks include the following:

• Process requests for advocacy assistance from U.S. companies, interacting with representatives of U.S. companies, U.S. Embassies, other ITA units and other U.S. Government agencies to evaluate these requests;
• Assist in preparation for Cabinet or Sub-Cabinet members' trade missions, contract signings and other trade events;
• Document successful advocacy efforts;
• Gather and prepare information on advocacy efforts for senior ITA management;
• Attend interagency staff meetings in which policy and advocacy strategies are developed for U.S. companies;
• Input new advocacy requests into the Center's project database and files; and
• Handle special projects as they arise.

An Ideal Candidate Will Have…
The Advocacy Center is looking for interns who are interested in U.S. trade promotion and export assistance programs geared to U.S. companies. Interns should be self-motivated, comfortable with a fast-paced work environment, have good writing skills and experience with word processing and spreadsheet programs. Experience with Lexis-Nexis and Lotus Notes software would also be helpful, but not required.  Interns are required to work a minimum of 24 hours per week. 

 

OFFICE OF DOMESTIC OPERATIONS

From its Washington, DC location, the US&FCS Office of Domestic Operations (ODO) oversees a network of 108 field offices known as U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEACs) around the United States.   Export and industry specialists located in these USEACs provide counseling and a variety of products and services to assist small and midsized U.S. businesses in selling and distributing their products and services in foreign markets.

Office of Domestic Operations Internships
The types of work which an intern might do are varied and may include:

• Research outstanding examples of export success by USEAC clients.  Create narrative descriptions of successes that “tell the full story” and can be used in agency and White House speeches, meetings, and press releases.  
• Establish an interactive and user-friendly database of export successes designed for easy retrieval by agency personnel. 
• Help organize 2-3 small and large meetings and conferences hosted by ODO.  Assist with planning, marketing, on-site logistics, catering, and staffing.   Marketing will include use of social media and email as well as design and editing of materials.  Staffing will involve determining schedules for on-site volunteers and contacting volunteers to work out best times for them to work.   Other duties might include registration assistance, budget work, etc.
• Searching internet sources, answer questions on exports, international trade, small businesses, events, etc. for speeches, briefing papers and other written materials used by senior management.
• Report weekly, in writing, on upcoming events taking place in the ODO field.  Information will be obtained via email from field offices.  Work with ODO field offices to obtain details on events and activities as requested.
• Assist senior officials with their scheduling and meeting planning needs. 
• Participate in ODO resource allocation planning by analyzing ODO field resources, budget, and strategic planning. 
• Assist in administering two private-sector partner groups.  This would include maintaining member databases, preparing for group meetings, and helping to execute group trade events.
• Participate in the design and analysis of surveys to field staff to collect input and consensus on a variety of issues.
• Assist with the redesign of a Presidential award program requiring interaction with an inter- agency awards committee, document creation and record keeping.  This project will allow an intern to see how government agencies work together, each bringing a different focus, to support an ongoing awards program. 
• Assist in coordinating trade promotion programs and developing a self-service internet site with other U.S Government trade promotion agencies.   

 

TRADE PROMOTIONS PROGRAMS

Trade Promotion Programs include US&FCS Trade Information Center (TIC), Marketing & Communications Office (MCO), International Buyer Program (IBP), Trade Missions (TM) and Trade Fair Certification (TFC) units.  TPP’s mission is to strengthen US&FCS trade promotion efforts and enhance and support our domestic and overseas field network through strategically leveraging US&FCS resources.  TPP is currently in the process of employing state-of-the-art techniques to improve US&FCS e-marketing. TPP is also working on strengthening strategic public and private partnerships, including those with Trade Policy Coordinating Committee (TPCC) agencies.  Another important role of the TPP is to coordinate and target US&FCS's outreach and marketing efforts for new clients, free trade agreement (FTA) markets and Export Achievement Certificates; and, create better, commonly shared business processes to track prospects from the point where they enter our system until they receive the assistance they need.

Trade Information Center (TIC)

The Trade Information Center (TIC) is the U.S. Government's customer service center for export information.  Created by the 19-agency Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC), the TIC is the first stop for U.S. businesses seeking help from all federal agencies involved in trade.  The TIC provides businesses with export counseling from trade specialists on market opportunities, trade and commercial laws, business practices, regulations and standards, and customs information. TIC also houses Business Information Centers including the China Business Information Center and the Middle East and Northern Africa Business Information Center. 

Trade Information Center Internships
Students interested in TIC internships must be in good academic standing, maintaining a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher.  Prospective interns must have completed at least 60 hours in a four-year program prior to entry on duty.

Interns will be involved in the following efforts:

• Work with International Trade Specialists to provide export assistance to U.S. businesses.
• Counsel U.S. exporters and new businesses by providing tariff and tax rates.
•  Synthesize information from overseas embassies and other organizations for public dissemination.
• Maintain and update information in Trade Information Center‘s databases and on the export.gov website.
• Work with regional teams to oversea special projects.
• Participate in trade-related events and export-related training to gain better understanding of DOC and U.S. Government trade programs.
• Assist in running the day-to-day office tasks (i.e. preparing information packets, handling mail, etc. and answering the phones.
• Work on special projects for the Office Director and other staffers, as needed.

An ideal candidate will have…

• Ability to work well in a team environment
• Very strong communication skills and be detailed oriented.
• A working knowledge of computer applications such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent writing, reading, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to organize a variety of assignments simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• International experience (e.g., studying, travel, and working) strongly desired, but not required.
• Ability to speak a foreign language desired, but not required.

Marketing & Communications (MCO)

The US&FCS is a network of offices worldwide connecting U.S. companies to export opportunities.  The Marketing and Communications Office (MCO) supports this global network of offices and manages the US&FCS brand.   MCO operates under the premise that improved awareness rates among an organization’s target audiences can help compress client development cycles, increase market penetration, and solidify stakeholder commitment to the US&CS. Given this, our office’s primary purpose is to provide leadership, coordination, and US&CS field support.

Marketing and Communications Internships
Interested in International Business, International Affairs, Marketing, or Brand Management?  MCO interns perform a wide range of duties, including writing client export success stories to feature on www.export.gov, writing/editing articles for the press, creating content for social media (Export.gov Facebook and Twitter), other administrative duties as assigned.  Experience on website content knowledge management desired.

An ideal candidate will have...

• Superior writing skills
• Detail oriented
• Marketing & brand management knowledge
• Self-starter and enthusiasm

International Buyer Program (IBP)
The US&FCS International Buyer Program (IBP) is a joint government-industry effort designed to increase U.S. export sales by promoting international attendance at major U.S. industry exhibitions. Each year, the IBP results in approximately a billion dollars in new business for U.S. companies and provides hands-on assistance to U.S. exhibitors interested in exporting and making contacts with prospective overseas trade partners. This assistance includes export counseling, marketing analysis, and matchmaking services.

International Buyer Program Internships
The types of work which an intern might do are varied and may include:

• Providing assistance to IBP Project Officers with analysis and reporting of performance metrics including export success data through Microsoft Excel and other government databases
• Providing assistance with writing and/or editing marketing/trade promotional materials
• Various administrative duties as required

An ideal candidate will have…

• The ability to work a minimum of 3 consecutive work days for a total of 24 hours a week
• Excellent organizational skills and written/verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word

Trade Fair Certification (TFC)

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Trade Fair Certification (TFC) program is a cooperative partnership arrangement between private sector show organizers and the U.S. government to increase U.S. exports and to expand U.S. participation in overseas trade shows.   Through the US&FCS, the program provides Department of Commerce endorsement, show-related services, oversight and coordination of event services, promotional support, exhibitor marketing facilitation, and in-country/show site assistance for private sector organizers to recruit and build a U.S. Pavilion at selected foreign trade shows.  These shows serve as a vital access vehicle for U.S. firms to enter and expand foreign markets.  The certified show/U.S. pavilion ensures a high-quality, multi-faceted opportunity for American companies to successfully market overseas. 

Trade Fair Certification Internships
The types of work which an intern might do are varied and may include:

• Providing assistance to TFC Program Manager with analysis and reporting of performance metrics including export success data through Microsoft Excel and other government databases
• Providing assistance with writing and/or editing marketing/trade promotional materials
• Various administrative duties as required

An ideal candidate will have…

• The ability to work at a minimum 2- 3 days for a total of 20 - 24 hours a week
• Excellent organizational skills and written/verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word and PowerPoint

Certified Trade Missions (TM)

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Certified Trade Missions (TM)are a part of a broad-based public program that is designed to increase job opportunities for all Americans. These missions are organized by state and private sector trade promotion groups and supported by state and private sector trade promotion groups and supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce. States, industry associations, and other groups must apply directly to a Department of Commerce overseas post to have their mission certified. 

Certified Trade Missions Internships
The types of work which an intern might do are varied and may include:

• Providing assistance to the Office of Trade Mission staff with analysis and reporting of performance metrics including export success data through Microsoft Excel and other government databases
• Providing assistance with organizing trade mission delegations including contacting companies and trade organizations and developing mission materials
• Various administrative duties as required

An ideal candidate will have…

• The ability to work at a minimum 2- 3 days for a total of 20 - 24 hours a week
• Excellent organizational skills and written/verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word and PowerPoint

 

OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS: WESTERN HEMISPHERE

The Western Hemisphere office oversees US&FCS offices located in Embassies and Consulates throughout Canada and Latin and South America. This office is responsible for managing the operational budget for the region and acts as headquarters liaison and advocate for the field.  This office also provides support and guidance on a wide variety of administrative and personnel issues.

Office of the Western Hemisphere Internships
The types of work which an intern might do are varied and may include:

• Organize and draft materials for upcoming activities in the region.
• Assemble input and materials from field offices to help the office respond to internal taskers.
• Assist in the preparation of briefing papers.
• Draft agendas for meeting and organize internal conference calls.
• Organize consultation schedule for incoming commercial officers.
• Undertaking research for, and writing, major market opportunity reports, published in the National Trade Data Base maintained by the Department of Commerce.
• Assist in developing and/or launching new US&FCS products, including web site design.

 

OFFICE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The Office of Strategic Planning & resource Management (OSP/RM) is a business unit within the US&FCS that provides the foundation, resources and tools that sustains US&FCS operations today, charts the course and leads the way in advanced systems thinking by aligning strategic planning, organizational analysis, policy and process formulation, and  financial and resource management.

OSP/RM Internships
One available internship is with OSP/RM’s Administrative Unit, where interns work on a variety of projects that have organizational-wide impact.  An intern will assist in the US&FCS Worldwide Annual Inventory/Surplus Inventory project by focusing on the following activities:

• Assist in searching for missing US&FCS/Headquarters’ property 
• Assist an authorized Property Custodian in verifying property details are accurate (ex. serial numbers, manufacturers, models, etc.) 
• Compile spreadsheet data of surplus inventory items for an authorized Property Custodian to enter into Sunflower
• Analyze weekly project updates from ITA/OMO, draft email for Admin Services to send to all Property Custodians worldwide
• Develop and implement an internal review program to verify the accuracy of each US&FCS/HQ business unit property (focusing on items not bar code scanned)

 

Last Revision: February 27, 2012

 

 

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