This position is located in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of Communications (OCOM), Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Division (CA/IA) Washington D.C. The mission of the OCOM is to handle OJP's congressional, legislative, and media-related activities to ensure effective communications with Congress, the news media, stakeholders and the public.
Summary
This position is located in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of Communications (OCOM), Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Division (CA/IA) Washington D.C. The mission of the OCOM is to handle OJP's congressional, legislative, and media-related activities to ensure effective communications with Congress, the news media, stakeholders and the public.
(The duties described reflect the full performance level of this position)
Monitors, develops, and contributes to Congressional affairs activities supporting many agency program priorities. Reviews congressional inquiries and conducts an analysis to identify relevant issues, perform required research, and identify sources of information required for resolution.
Drafts written testimony, talking points, statements, and other related documents for senior OJP Leadership and other DOJ officials for use when addressing members of Congress and congressional staff.
Coordinates and assists to implement programs and activities for DOJ OJP staff to ensure that congressional relations are properly understood and represented. Performs continuous outreach to OJP constituents to ensure transparency and timeliness in reporting mutually beneficial facts and information. Stays up to date on current activities of interest and potential impact to OJP. Serves on intra-agency project teams to troubleshoot problem areas, devise solutions, and assist with implementation of updated procedures related to congressional and/or intergovernmental affairs. Establishes and maintains relationships with OJP, OCOM, and relevant DOJ colleagues. Represents the Office of Communications on DOJ OJP committees and meetings, seeing that congressional relations are properly understood and represented.
Provides guidance and advice concerning intergovernmental affairs policies that require considerable adaptation and/or interpretation for application to internal program issues and problems, or where decisions about how to proceed are complicated by conflicting program goals and objectives. Collaborates with OJP program offices to identify stakeholder requests, and provide responses that adhere to federal, DOJ, and/or OJP policies and regulations. Develops communications tools and protocols including capability to reach and maintain regular contact with targeted constituency groups through effective contact management strategies.
Subject to background/suitability investigation/determination.
Federal payments are required to be made by Direct Deposit.
Requires registration for the Selective Service. Visit www.sss.gov.
Pre-employment drug testing required.
1-year probationary period may be required.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Qualifying experience for the GS-11 level includes one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to GS-9 which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Examples of specialized experience include: reviewing Congressional inquiries received, identifying sources of information required for resolution of inquiries, and gathering contributions of other writers for inclusion in official responses; providing input to draft written testimony, talking points, statements, and other related documents for senior leaders and officials; and/or assisting with the programs and activities to ensure that congressional and intergovernmental affairs policies are properly understood and represented.
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE
Experience requirements at the GS-11 level may be met by three (3) full academic years of graduate level education or the successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements.
Qualifying experience for the GS-12 level includes one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the GS-11 level which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples are: experience with the legislative process and legislative agenda; reviewing Congressional inquiries received, performing required research, identifying sources of information required for resolution of inquiries, and drafting official responses to ensure the inquiry is answered accurately and identifies corrective actions, as appropriate; drafting written testimony, talking points, statements, and other related documents for senior leaders and officials for use when addressing members of Congress and congressional staff; and/or providing advice and guidance related to intergovernmental affairs policies for application to internal program issues.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications as described above will be further evaluated based upon the following technical qualifications: Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Ability to plan and execute work. Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to represent top management to a variety of groups Knowledge of the executive/legislative decision-making process.
Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
To explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc. Fitness Reimbursement: OJP offers a fitness reimbursement program for employees' individual fitness-related expenditures. OJP also offers credit union services; ATM machine on-site; a health unit and on-site nurse for your usage. Transit Benefits: To defray your commuting cost, we are pleased to offer the Employee Transit Benefit Program. OJP offers opportunities for flexible schedules. This position may be eligible for telework per agency policy.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be considered under all categories for which you are eligible.
For All U.S. Citizens: Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the best qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Candidates within the best qualified category who are eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.
For Status/Merit Promotion/VEOA candidates: Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on the announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your resume and application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
For Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) applicants: The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, or if your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. Under merit promotion procedures, to be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. Under category rating procedures, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
To explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc. Fitness Reimbursement: OJP offers a fitness reimbursement program for employees' individual fitness-related expenditures. OJP also offers credit union services; ATM machine on-site; a health unit and on-site nurse for your usage. Transit Benefits: To defray your commuting cost, we are pleased to offer the Employee Transit Benefit Program. OJP offers opportunities for flexible schedules. This position may be eligible for telework per agency policy.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
REMINDER: ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
1. Resume and/or work history profile, 2. Responses to the online questions, 3. Unofficial Transcripts (if qualifying based on education), 4. Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable; see below for more information), 5. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (for current and former federal employees; see below for more information), and 6. Performance Appraisal (for current federal employees) Note: if not provided, will be required at time of interview.
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Veterans Preference In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, please submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
If you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.
Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under How You Will Be Evaluated, veterans' preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which qualified. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest quality category (i.e., Best Qualified).
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act To be eligible for a Veteran Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof by the closing date of the announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(u) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. The proof includes a copy of the Agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action for Competitive Appointment.
Non-competitive Eligibility You can apply for a non-competitive appointment if you meet the basic eligibility requirements and you are eligible for special appointment such as those authorized for the severely disabled; veterans with service-connected disabilities of 30% or more; returning volunteers from the Peace Corps or Vista, Veterans' Recruitment Appointment, etc. Appropriate documentation to support your claim must be included in your application, along with the type of special appointment you are seeking.
Current/Former Federal Employees If you are a current Federal employee in a permanent, competitive service position, you must submit document to confirm your status. Failure to submit an appropriate SF-50 will automatically disqualify you from further consideration. - Submit an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2".). - Submit your most recent Performance Appraisal (dated within the last 18 months) or a separate statement explaining why you are unable to submit your appraisal. If not provided at time of application, it will be required at time of interview.
If you are a former Federal employee who is reinstatement eligible based on prior federal permanent competitive service, you must submit documents to confirm your eligibility. - Submit an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2".)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
If you are unable to apply online, you may contact Avue Digital Services for alternate application procedures. Please call Monday Friday from 8AM to 5PM PST at (253) 573-1877 or email at joeavue@avuetech.com.
Office of Justice Programs
810 7th Street NW
Washington, Dist of Columbia 20353
US
Next steps
Once your completed application is certified and received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
REMINDER: ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT Eastern Time (Washington, D.C. time) ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
1. Resume and/or work history profile, 2. Responses to the online questions, 3. Unofficial Transcripts (if qualifying based on education), 4. Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable; see below for more information), 5. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (for current and former federal employees; see below for more information), and 6. Performance Appraisal (for current federal employees) Note: if not provided, will be required at time of interview.
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Veterans Preference In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, please submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
If you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.
Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under How You Will Be Evaluated, veterans' preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which qualified. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest quality category (i.e., Best Qualified).
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act To be eligible for a Veteran Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit proof by the closing date of the announcement that you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(u) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. The proof includes a copy of the Agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action for Competitive Appointment.
Non-competitive Eligibility You can apply for a non-competitive appointment if you meet the basic eligibility requirements and you are eligible for special appointment such as those authorized for the severely disabled; veterans with service-connected disabilities of 30% or more; returning volunteers from the Peace Corps or Vista, Veterans' Recruitment Appointment, etc. Appropriate documentation to support your claim must be included in your application, along with the type of special appointment you are seeking.
Current/Former Federal Employees If you are a current Federal employee in a permanent, competitive service position, you must submit document to confirm your status. Failure to submit an appropriate SF-50 will automatically disqualify you from further consideration. - Submit an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2".). - Submit your most recent Performance Appraisal (dated within the last 18 months) or a separate statement explaining why you are unable to submit your appraisal. If not provided at time of application, it will be required at time of interview.
If you are a former Federal employee who is reinstatement eligible based on prior federal permanent competitive service, you must submit documents to confirm your eligibility. - Submit an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or other official agency documentation that shows your current (or most recent) grade and competitive service status. (The "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should show a "1" or "2".)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
If you are unable to apply online, you may contact Avue Digital Services for alternate application procedures. Please call Monday Friday from 8AM to 5PM PST at (253) 573-1877 or email at joeavue@avuetech.com.
Office of Justice Programs
810 7th Street NW
Washington, Dist of Columbia 20353
US
Next steps
Once your completed application is certified and received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your status and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
