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CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Department of Defense
Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Office of the Chairman, JCS
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is part of the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The incumbent serves as the principal advisor to the VCJCS on all legislative matters.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/13/2019 to 03/19/2019
Salary
$134,789 to - $164,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Location
Pentagon, Arlington, VA
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
JCS-19-10443819-DE
Control number
527287600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Duties

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As a CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS SPECIALIST at the GS-0301-15 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Formulates and manages legislative strategies and Congressional liaison activities for the VCJCS, including the formulation and representation of positions on legislation. Preparation of testimony and response to questions in close coordination with the OASD (LA). the Office of Management and Budget (0MB), the National Security Staff (NSS) and interagency.
  • Conducts comprehensive issue analyses and anticipates potential policy and budgetary problems, assesses their impact and Congressional reaction to Department engagement strategies, and ensures policy and budgetary recommendations are consistent with Departmental objectives.
  • Builds and maintains relationships with Congressional staffs, the Joint Staff, OSD, and interagency personnel to assist in determining the best methods for moving forward on issues.
  • Maintains continual awareness of existing and potential areas of Congressional interest. which may result in legislative action or Congressional inquiries or requests. Applies an expert knowledge of the legislative process, regulations, policies and procedures applicable to legislative and Congressional activities.
  • Provides guidance and information on the procedures and assistance rendered to Members of Congress or their staffs to ensure proper handling of information.
  • Serves as the primary point of contact for coordinating all aspects of legislative vis its by Members of Congress or Congressional Staffs to include assisting with briefing topics, transportation arrangements, development of itineraries, escorting of visitors, and appropriate protocol extended to Congressional visitors.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service http://www.sss.gov
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Work Schedule: Fulltime
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Not Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is Not telework eligible
  • Employee must obtain/maintain a Special Sensitive (Top Secret/SCI) security clearance
  • This is a drug testing designated position
  • This is a key position. In the event of a national emergency or mobilization. this position cannot be vacated. which requires the incumbent, or designated alternate, to be screened from military recall status.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-15, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service:

  • Formulating and managing legislative strategies and Congressional liaison activities, including the formulation and representation of positions on legislation, preparation of testimony, and response to questions;
  • Analyzing and anticipating potential policy and budgetary problems, assessing their impact and Congressional reaction to engagement strategies, and ensuring policy and budgetary recommendations are consistent with Departmental objectives.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

For more information, please visit Required Supporting Documentation: http://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/FourthEstateRequiredSupportingDocumentation.pdf?ver=2019-02-08-123333-753

The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision.
NOTE: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy.

Re-employed Annuitant: This position Does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at:
http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs:
This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified below, required for this position.

Competencies:

  • Communication
  • Legislation, Policy and Procedure Research
  • Planning and Evaluating


Based on the results of this evaluation, you will be placed in one of the following quality categories:

Best Qualified:
This highest category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s), as determined by the job analysis.
Highly Qualified: This higher category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that exceed the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s) as determined by the job analysis.
Qualified: This lowest category will be used for those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications of the position, including all selective placement factors and appropriate quality ranking factor(s) and are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the position. Candidates may require extensive training and/or orientation in order to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=Category-Rating

Names of the candidates in the Best Qualified category will be sent first to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Applicants in other categories will be referred in accordance with category rating procedures.

Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are entitled to veterans' preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Qualified veterans' preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category depending on the position and grade level of the job.
For information on entitlement see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .

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