Export Compliance Officer

Position description

This position is located organizationally in the Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Research at the Smithsonian Institution (SI) and reports to the Director of Research Compliance. The Smithsonian is a diverse museum, education, and research complex dedicated to the increase and diffusion of knowledge. As one of the world’s most respected cultural, historical, and scientific institutions, the Smithsonian offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to research, discovery, education, preservation, and public service on a national and global scale. This includes advancing the Institution’s mission across fields such as aerospace, astronomy, space science, history, culture, and the humanities, reflected in the work of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), the National Air and Space Museum, and the Institution’s many museums, research centers, and collections. This position oversees the Institution’s export controls compliance function, ensuring compliance with applicable legal, regulatory, and policy requirements. The role supports a broad portfolio of scientific, cultural, and historical activity, including space science and astrophysics research, making it a distinctive opportunity to help enable responsible and compliant research, scholarship, collections stewardship, and discovery at the frontiers of knowledge. This position is full-time and is based in Washington, DC, with recurring travel to Cambridge, MA in support of SAO.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages the SAO and SI export control process, provides day-to-day export and import operations and compliance oversight, mitigates risks, maintains records, and conducts compliance and program effectiveness assessments.
• Implements, administers, and audits policies and procedures at SAO and SI for all export and import control matters, including such tasks as:
• • Interpreting ITAR, EAR, and FTR;
  • Establishing Project Technology Control Plans;
  • Determining the Export Control Classification Number (ECCN);
  • Determining licensing exceptions or requirements;
  • Screening end-users, end-use, and countries for exported technology;
  • Screening contractors, visitors, and foreign nationals to controlled facilities at SAO and SI;
  • Determining international travel requirements including those for proscribed and sanctioned countries; and
  • Coordinates with the SAO and SI Shipping & Receiving Sections regarding transportation management functions relating to SAO and SI export control initiatives such as shipping, receiving, freight traffic/rates, and commodities.
• Implements SI's compliance program ensuring all units are in compliance with the applicable export control laws and regulations that pertain to the conduct of its research and other activities, including the EAR, ITAR, and the Foreign Trade Regulations [FTR] as well as to improve compliance with technology restrictions on foreign national employees and visitors, license management, compliance determination and screening, IT and physical security, training, and documentation.
• Develops and conducts training programs on export regulations and compliance, EAR and ITAR regulations, foreign national issues related to international travel, and related issues, including travel to proscribed and sanctioned countries.
• Aids in transportation management functions relating to SI export control initiatives such as shipping, receiving, freight traffic/rates, and commodities.
• Maintains and updates the Smithsonian Directive on a SI-wide export compliance policy that ensures SI compliance with federal export control laws, regulations, and policies.
• Continuously updates a SI-wide export compliance implementation plan.
• Coordinates closely with key internal stakeholder offices, including the Office of Global Affairs, the Office of General Counsel, the Office of Sponsored Projects, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and other SI Units.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the grade 12. For this position, specialized experience is defined as 5 years of progressively advanced experience with the administration of university or corporate export controls compliance OR its equivalent.

Experience required for this position is as follows:

• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the following:
• U.S. State Department's International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR);
• U.S. Department of Commerce's Export Administration Regulations (EAR);
• U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) requirements; and
• Foreign Trade Regulations [FTR], Import and Export Clearance Regulations, International
• Shipping Logistics and Regulations, Loading Regulations, and Freight Classifications.
• Has ITAR/EAR or Trade Compliance certification or completed field of study or is recognized by Directorate of Defense Trade Controls [DDTC] as a qualified expert.
• Experience in preparing export control licenses, executing technical assistance and non-disclosure agreements, and familiarity with export licensing determinations.
• Expert knowledge of and relevant experience in export control compliance in a research environment at a non-profit organization or at an institution of higher education.
• Knowledge of scientific instruments for use in national and international space and ground-based telescope programs or technical knowledge broad and flexible enough to assist researchers in determining the export control compliance implications of project technologies, deliverables, presentations, publications, and personnel.
• Knowledge of Department of State and Immigration and Naturalization Service requirements as they apply to foreign nationals. Familiarity with the fundamentals and processing of visas and petition for visas to ascertain reason and purpose of foreign national visitors.
• Demonstrated ability to obtain cooperation from technical and programmatic staff in compliance responsibilities. Excellent verbal and written communication skills sufficient to prepare written guidance and decisions; to tactfully explain and defend decisions to project personnel, sponsors, and higher-level reviewing officials; and to give oral presentations to staff who require information on export control matters.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in developing policies, procedures, and training; managing compliance programs; and ability to prioritize, plan, analyze, and execute multiple and complex export control related activities as well as work independently with minimal oversight or direction while meeting deadlines.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to interact with tact and diplomacy with a wide range of people; and demonstrated knowledge of negotiation and facilitation techniques required to conduct meetings and to meet and deal with a variety of individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to understand technical aspects of programs in sufficient detail to be able to provide assistance to researchers in determining the export control compliance implications of project technologies, deliverables, presentations, publications, and personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively at all levels in an organization and as a team member including relationships with employees and project officials within SI and with external contacts.
• Knowledge of information systems, including database development and maintenance.
• Proficiency in the use of a personal computer; Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; and web browsers.

Location: Washington, DC

Workplace type: Onsite

Compensation: $121,785 - $158,322 / year

Application instructions

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