The incumbent of this position serves as the Director of Congressional Relations. The purpose of this position is to serve within the Office of Congressional Relations with primary responsibility for conducting critical portions of the Wilson Center’s Congressional outreach, especially with the Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate, with additional outreach to other Committees as needed.
Summary
The incumbent of this position serves as the Director of Congressional Relations. The purpose of this position is to serve within the Office of Congressional Relations with primary responsibility for conducting critical portions of the Wilson Center’s Congressional outreach, especially with the Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate, with additional outreach to other Committees as needed.
Yes—Per agency policy, Telework is available but varies from position/program.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel required, often internationally, for conferences, presentations, and other program business.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15 - If selected at the GS-14, position performs developmental assignments, training that leads to full promotion potential to the Grade 15 upon meeting performance, supervisor recommendation, and other requirements.
Incumbent of this position will perform the following duties and similar unlisted duties in accordance with serving as the Director of Congressional Relations at the Wilson Center. In this role you will lead a team in maximizing the Wilson Center’s Congressional outreach.
Lead and manage the staff and budget of the Congressional Relations department at the Wilson Center as well as collaborate with programs offices and the Executive Office to execute the mission of the organization
Has authority to plan, assign and review work, and evaluate performance of contract and permanent staff
Manage the Center’s relationship with the Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees as well as other relevant committees
Create new and maintain existing relationships in a nonpartisan and bipartisan manner with personal office staff and Committee staff
Identify and engage Members of Congress to advance the mission of the Center
Provide guidance and direction to the Center’s Foreign Policy Fellowship Program for Congressional staff
Maintain and expand the network of Congressional Foreign Policy Fellows who have completed the course through regular activities, informational briefings, and strategy for Wilson Center outreach to the Senate and House of Representatives, ensuring that Center programs and scholars can get their research, publications, and event announcements to the right congressional offices and staff on the Hill on a regular basis
Work with Program Directors and their teams across the Center to identify opportunities to expand and improve Congressional Relations opportunities to educate Congressional offices on foreign policy analysis conducted by Wilson Center experts
Assist and prepare program teams to brief Congress regularly pertaining to their specific and unique area of responsibility
Prepare and coordinate materials for reports to Congress as well as briefings to Congress, Congressional hearings, and other Congressional events
Monitor the Center's congressional appropriation and ensure a regular flow of information to relevant staff involved in the appropriations process
Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable
You may be required to complete a one-year probationary period
You must maintain a bank account for direct deposit
All qualification requirements for this position must be met by the closing date of this announcement
Current and former federal employees within the General Schedule (GS) must meet the time-in-grade requirements outlined in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, you must meet the specialized experience and any Key Core Competencies which will demonstrate your ability to perform the major responsibilities of the position.
Specialized Experience- GS-14:
To qualify for the GS-14 Grade level, you must possess at least one year of demonstrated specialized experience that 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 to be filled. To be creditable, your specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the Grade 13 level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. This experience could have been gained in public or private positions that demonstrate that you possess the following examples of specialized experience:
Knowledge of and experience with Congressional policies, priorities, and activities of the Foreign Policy Fellowship Program (FPFP), and the congressional calendar and agenda
Knowledge of and experience with Appropriations and/or Foreign Relations Committee process and the key Members and staff involved
Ability to Lead and manage budget and staff of organization involved with Congressional relations work assignments
Create new and maintain existing relationships in a nonpartisan and bipartisan manner with personal office staff and Committee staff
Specialized Experience- GS-15:
To qualify for the GS-15 Grade level, you must possess at least one year of demonstrated specialized experience that 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 to be filled. To be creditable, your specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the Grade 14 level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. This experience could have been gained in public or private positions that demonstrate that you possess the following examples of specialized experience:
Develop and implement organizational Congressional outreach
Identify and engage Members of Congress to advance the mission of the Organization
Plan, assign and review work, and evaluate performance of contract and permanent staff involved in Congressional/Congressional Relations work, with demonstrated result
Experience drafting correspondence and talking points to key Congressional Members and Committees and in representation of an organization
Knowledge of and experience with Congressional policies, priorities, and activities of the Foreign Policy Fellowship Program (FPFP), and the congressional calendar and agenda
Knowledge of and experience with Appropriations and/or Foreign Relations Committee process and the key Members and staff involved
Ability to Lead and manage budget and staff of organization involved with Congressional relations work assignments
Create new and maintain existing relationships in a nonpartisan and bipartisan manner with personal office staff and Committee staff
NOTE: THIS INFORMATION MUST BE SUPPORTED IN YOUR RESUME/APPLICATION DOCUMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE POSITION
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
Volunteer Experience: 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.
You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies".
Additional information
The work is primarily sedentary; although, requires moving around to offices and/or to similar areas for meeting to conduct human resources business. May require standing in conjunction with travel and attendance at meetings and conferences away from the worksite.
Work Environment
Work is performed in a typical office setting that is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (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 Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form.
The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the CIGIE with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your CIGIE 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 Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application.
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.
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. Benefits Information
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 evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your résumé and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your résumé and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
Your application will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures using category rating.
Your application will then be placed in one of three categories:
Best Qualified
Well Qualified
Qualified
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
Congressional Experience
Program Management
Written/Oral Communication
Relationship Building
In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three," but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent or higher will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).
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.
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. Benefits Information
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.
Note: Failure to submit a resume or supporting documentation may result in elimination for further consideration.
The following documents are required and must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement.
1. Résumé/CV, which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade. 2. A complete Occupational Questionnaire (which may include narrative responses)
3. Veteran Preference Documentation:
If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
4. Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
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.
You must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of this announcement.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. * It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date of the announcement.
*To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
* To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20004
United States
Next steps
Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Note: Failure to submit a resume or supporting documentation may result in elimination for further consideration.
The following documents are required and must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement.
1. Résumé/CV, which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade. 2. A complete Occupational Questionnaire (which may include narrative responses)
3. Veteran Preference Documentation:
If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
4. Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.
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.
You must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of this announcement.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. * It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date of the announcement.
*To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
* To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20004
United States
Next steps
Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.
This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
