Clarification from the agency

Open to Public

Serves as the Marine and Family Programs Division (MF) Public and Legislative Affairs Specialist.  The incumbent will represent the Director in contacts and business regarding Congress, Congressional Committee staffs and proposed legislation; and will plan and direct all aspects of the organization’s public affairs program. 

Public Affairs:  Acts as a staff advisor with the Strategic Communications section, providing advice and guidance to MF staff at both headquarters and installation activities.  Establishes effective working relationships with Headquarters Marine Corps Public Affairs, DC M&RA Public Affairs Officer, installation Public Affairs offices, MCCS Marketing offices, the Armed Forces Information Service and other external and internal audiences.  Also, develops effective working relationships with local, national, and international print, online, and broadcast media representatives to disseminate information or answer inquiries in oral and written form about the organization’s operations or activities.

Conducts the public affairs program within the strategic communication plan for the organization by developing and providing staff direction involving all public information.  Develops written and oral presentations transmitting information concerning MF programs; develops recommendations for improvement of the public affairs program based on analysis of feedback from affected or interested audiences; advises installation personnel on handling adverse developments which can negatively impact the organization; and develops content for the MF Division website and SharePoint sites.

Legislative Affairs:  Assists the organization in establishing and maintaining relationships with professional staff members of the Armed Services, Defense Appropriations and Governmental Affairs Committees and Congressional representatives tracking and analyzing key issues in Marine Corps Quality of Life (QOL) matters, DoD Authorization and Appropriation bills, congressional hearings and legislative bills ensuring MF complies with all OSD regulations and legislative changes.

Responsible for monitoring and advising MF leadership and subject matter experts on congressional items of interest and reports on those matters affecting MF programs and its customers, particularly if they could result in congressional inquiry, investigation, or adverse criticism, and recommends corrective action warranted under the circumstances. Serves as the primary lead for research and analysis of key congressional activities that impact MF programs and its serviced customers.

Researches, analyzes, and develops information on congressional activities and legislative actions important to MF. Reviews a comprehensive Congressional Data Base and extracts information relevant to key MF programs from congressional hearings, testimony, reports, legislation, and news items. Extracted information is used to prepare a variety of correspondence/reports/presentations. Based on broad knowledge of MF and its mission, the incumbent pinpoints and determines how to extract, summarize for easy reading, and disseminate the results of congressional activities from a large volume of daily information. Disseminated products are used by leaders and staff throughout MF to manage programs and policies in line with congressional directives and legislation..

May work a fluctuating work schedule to complete work assignments outside of the typical work week and work hours.  May travel to complete work assignments, and conduct or attend conferences and meetings.  Performs special projects and other related tasks and functions as assigned.

This is a white-collar position where occasional lifting up to 20 lbs may be required.

Conditions of employment

• See Duties and Qualifications

EVALUATIONS:

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related field appropriate to the work of the position AND three years of experience that demonstrates the skill and ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to address public and legislative affairs for a large diverse organization; OR an appropriate combination of education and experience that demonstrates possession of knowledge and skill equivalent to that gained in the above; OR appropriate experience that demonstrates that the applicant has acquired the knowledge, skills and abilities equivalent to that gained in the above.

Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to legislative and congressional activities as they pertain to the Marine Corps and military services in order to obtain and analyze items of interest or concern spanning all of MF’s programs, missions, and functions.

Knowledge of MF’s roles, missions, functions, organizational structure, and relationship with DoD, and outside agencies to facilitate serving as the point of contact on actions and activities pertaining to organization's programs and activities.

Knowledge and skill to analyze reactions to key MF programs and policies, and develop detailed information that provides the basis for decisions made by the leadership.

Knowledge of basic functions of all federal agencies and departments with which public affair matters and congressional replies can either be coordinated with or referred to for responsive action.  Knowledge of legislative and budgetary processes.

Skill in establishing and maintaining effective and mutually cooperative work relationships with with local, national, and international print, online, and broadcast media representatives; and  representatives of Congressional offices, DoD staff officials, and senior officials of other federal agencies in order to arrive at properly staffed replies, properly executed liaison activities, and assessment of public and media reaction to sensitive issues.

Skill to review and compile a variety of material required to respond to congressional requests for information and routine congressional inquiries, and to provide guidance on congressional processes and procedures for effective responses on MF roles and responsibilities.

Excellent writing, editing and communication skills.  Must be skilled in using a variety of communication and informational methods and techniques to stimulate interest in a variety of publics, which have different levels of understanding of the organization's programs and activities. 

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application/resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. This vacancy will be filled by the best qualified applicant as determined by the selecting official.