Clarification from the agency

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

This position is located in the Office of Public and Governmental Affairs (PGA), Legislative Affairs Division (LAD) at ATF Headquarters (HQ) in Washington, DC. 

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an official liaison for communications between ATF, the Congress, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) providing technical assistance on congressional and various law enforcement and industry operations matters.

As a Congressional Liaison Specialist GS-0301-14, your typical work assignments may include:

• Establishes and maintains professional relationships and effective interchange of information with congressional members, congressional staff and the various congressional committees that have Bureau oversight responsibilities. Incumbent liaises with senior staff within DOJ and other governmental agencies, such as the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
• Formulates and executes legislative strategies for effective congressional communication. This includes assuring that Members of Congress and congressional committees are timely and accurately informed and assisted on matters of their concern as to the Bureau’s position with respect to pending or proposed legislation impacting the agency’s operations and appropriations. Incumbent provides Members of Congress and their staff with clear and concise analyses and interpretations of new and revised programs administered by the Bureau.
• Uses a variety of information sources, including on-line publications, Congressional Quarterly Roll Call/FiscalNote, and other search engines, as well as expert analytical techniques, to conduct the necessary research to ensure information provided to the Chief, Legislative Affairs Division (LAD) and senior Bureau officials is complete, objective, timely and accurate. Incumbent identifies and tracks political and substantive changes in all relevant legislation and keeps the Chief, LAD and Bureau leadership apprised when Bureau-related matters will be appearing on the Congressional docket.
• Prepares senior ATF leadership for congressional testimony as needed, to include congressional field hearings throughout the United States. Incumbent prepares and presents briefing papers on major program initiatives to Members of Congress and their staffs as well as DOJ and ATF management officials. Serves as political and policy advisor on congressional legislative matters impacting the Bureau, to include analysis of new and proposed legislation, committee procedures, congressional floor amendments, statements and mark up materials.
• Monitor, track, and respond to incoming congressional inquiries and concerns from Members of Congress and Bureau stakeholders, primarily via the LAD public email box and phone bank, e.g., incoming questions or concerns about the Bureau’s regulatory matters on behalf of Members’ constituents. Track and observe congressional hearings, Administration initiatives, as well as Senate and House Floor activities; Subsequently, draft white papers and/or After-Action Reports (AARs) to summarize accordingly for the Bureau’s Senior Leadership.

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

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

Additional Conditions of Employment:

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

**To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to E.O. 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.**

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.

To qualify for GS-14 starting salary is $126,233 candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-13.

GS-14–You qualify if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal, State, or Local government or equivalent public or private sector experience, performing the following duties:

• Advising a Senator(s) or a Member(s) of Congress; direct experience working on the staff of a congressional committee processing legislative proposals, policies or amendments; and
• Working with legislative matters on the congressional affairs staff of a federal agency; working with legislative related OMB regulations, policies and procedures; possessing an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the federal budget process and timeline; possessing hands-on experience leading, prioritizing and directing pro-active legislative strategies to inform Congress; and
• Demonstrating being detailed-oriented, organized, and able to operate in a fast-paced environment with frequently changing and conflicting priorities and tight deadlines; must have exceptional oral, written communication experience 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 Interagency 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 (minimum score of 85) 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:

• Technical Proficiency
• Communication
• Leadership
• Financial Management

 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.