Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all U.S. citizens.

Incumbent will serve as Congressional Liaison/Appropriations Specialist responsible for conceiving, implementing, monitoring, and directing a comprehensive liaison program between the Bureau and the U.S. Congress regarding Bureau operations. Will also be involved with Congressional hearings, decisions, briefings, activities and legislation which affect Bureau appropriations and operations.

• Engages in liaison activities with the Legislative Branch of government, assuring that members of Congress and Congressional committees, with the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, are quickly and completely informed and assisted on matters of their concern to the Bureau’s position with respect to pending/proposed legislation impacting the agency’s budget and appropriations procedures.
• Serves as Senior Policy Advisor on Congressional appropriations matters impacting the Bureau, to include analysis of new/proposed appropriations and budget legislation, appropriations committee procedures, congressional floor amendments, statements and mark up materials.
• Studies/analyzes proposed legislation and legislation under development that involves/impacts the Bureau’s Congressional appropriations and budget; prepares comments, reports, statistical backup and other information that provides solid and logical justification to Congress on the Bureau/Departmental goals.
• Provides expert analysis of budget proposals and provides impact statements affecting the Bureau’s annual appropriations strategy development; prepares written/oral testimony in response to legislation impacting Bureau appropriations, anticipates hearing questions and prepares written responses.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• May be required to serve a one year probationary period.
• Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test
• Must successfully complete a background security investigation
• Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov

The qualification requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

MOBILITY PLAN:  New employees hired pursuant to this vacancy announcement must sign a mobility agreement.  The purpose of ATF’s mobility policy is to enhance career development and progression, and achieve mission and business effectiveness.  To accomplish these objectives, the mobility plan will facilitate the movement of employees through special short-term assignments or permanent reassignments throughout the Bureau. Applicants who decline to sign a mobility agreement, as required, will be removed from the hiring process.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

To qualify for the GS-14: Candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-13.

Specialized experience is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume.  Examples of specialized experience include: Experience with Congressional appropriations, procedures, processes and regulations and the budget process and the use of analytical/evaluative methods/techniques to assess complex legislation; exceptional oral/written communication skills to deal with Members of Congress (and their staff), Department/Bureau officials and various internal/external individuals. 

Please do not cut and paste  the position description, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume, as this will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

The GS-14 salary range starts at $122,530.00.   If you are a new federal (civil service) employee, your starting salary will be set at the Step 1 for this position and the grade level for which you are selected.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP). The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees 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, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the silver or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at:https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/

 
The Career Transition Assistance Plan (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 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 CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the silver or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/.

Veteran Preference:  If you are entitled to veteran preference, you should indicate the type of veteran preference you are claiming on your résumé.

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.

In addition, 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 the October 2013 Revised 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,” veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified. 

How you will be evaluated

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

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

We will review your resume https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/ and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we will use your responses to the assessment questionnaire to place you in one of three categories based on your experience, education, and/or training. The assessment questionnaire is designed to measure your ability in the following competencies:

• Knowledge of Congressional appropriations committee processes, floor actions, procedures and regulations in order to plan testimony and liaison activities in defense of Bureau’s funding requests to support program operations before Congress.
• Extensive knowledge of Congressional appropriations procedures, budgetary policy, law, executive orders and regulations, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines, requirements and directives, and the budget process.
• Ability to provide both orally and in writing members of Congress and their staffs with clear and concise analyses regarding how proposed or enacted appropriations measures would affect the complex criminal and regulatory enforcement programs and functions administered by the Bureau. 
• Comprehensive knowledge of legislative and budgetary goals and strategies for the various special interest groups which seek to impact on the funding of enforcement and regulatory activities.

 If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:

1. Gold: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF), as determined by the job analysis.
2. Silver: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPF’s as determined by the job analysis.
3. Bronze: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs as determined by the job analysis.

If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Candidates within the Gold category who are eligible for veterans’ preference will receive selection priority over candidates without veterans’ preference.