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Congressional Affairs Specialist, GS-301-13

Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The incumbent serves as a Congressional Affairs Specialist in the Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs (OLIA), performing a variety of confidential and sensitive duties to ensure expeditious action on legislative activities between the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and state, local and federal governments. The position is located in the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs of Economic Development Administration's headquarters in Washington DC. 

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/27/2019 to 10/04/2019
Salary
$99,172 to - $128,920 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
Washington, DC
2 vacancies
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
EDA-HQ-2019-0035
Control number
547074700

Duties

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Serve as a point of contact point for EDA with one or more of the following constituencies: Governors, Mayors, State Legislators, Local officials, Department of Commerce, Economic Development officials, congressional staff and various councils, associations, and organizations affiliated with them.
  • Establish and maintain a reliable network with Congressional offices and Congressional Committees through staff liaison, meetings, and information exchange.
  • Attend and report on hearing covering legislation in which EDA is interested.
  • Facilitate and expedite the flow of appropriate information between Congressional and intergovernmental offices and assist in the general understanding and support of EDA programs and operations.

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Congressional Affairs Specialist, GS-301-13, FPL 13 positions within EDA in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

This position is also being announced concurrently under Merit Promotion vacancy number: EDA-HQ-2019-0034. Applicants who wish to be considered under MAP and DE must apply to both vacancies separately.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a suitable for Federal employment.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • You must be registered for Selective Service if applicable (www.sss.gov).

  • A one year probationary period may be required.
  • Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.
  • This position is in the bargaining unit.

Security Clearance: This position requires that you obtain and maintain a Low Risk Security Clearance.

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards.  This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

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.


To qualify for the GS-13:
You must have Specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12 or equivalent) in the federal service that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position. Experience must be reflected in your resume.

For this position, specialized experience is defined as the following:

  • Using legislative research methodology to research economic development policies and programs.
  • Developing and maintaining effective professional relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, research organizations, and business associates.
  • Developing liaison and legislative strategies and materials to elevate economic development issues to achieve congressional and intergovernmental coordination and advancement.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.

Additional information

CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100.  Information about ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management’s Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition

CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

  1. A copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice).
  2. A copy of your SF-50 “Notification of Personnel Action”, noting current position, grade level, and duty location;
  3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

  1. A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
  2. A copy of your SF-50 “Notification of Personnel Action” documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc;
  3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

Use if applicable: The following links provide information on various hiring authorities that do not fall under competitive examining procedures; however, they may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures, or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment.

  1. Veterans Recruitment Act (VRA)
  2. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)
  3. 30% or more disabled veterans
  4. Persons with disabilities
  5. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)
  6. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)

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, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.  If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions) and place you in one of the three pre-defined categories.  The categories are “gold”, “silver” and “bronze”.  However, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered.  Candidates placed in the “gold” category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

How you will be evaluated for preference eligibility:  Within each category, those entitled to veterans’ preference will be listed at the top of the pre-defined category for which they are placed.  Preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category (gold) depending on the position and grade level of the job. For more information on Category Rating, please go to Category Rating.

The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:

  1. Ability to perform analysis of legislative and intergovernmental affairs issues to determine strategies to fulfill goals and objectives.
  2. Ability to interface with internal and external customers in a professional manner.
  3. Knowledge of field office activities, and executive mandates to advance legislative, policy and program priorities.
  4. Knowledge of legislative and intergovernmental affairs principles, methods, practices, and techniques, federal, economic development programs and working with other federal agencies.

To preview questions please click here.

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