Clarification from the agency

Your application will be considered if you are a: • GSA employee • GSA surplus or displaced employees in the local commuting area who qualify for the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) You must be serving on a career or career-conditional appointment, or under a noncompetitive Special Appointing Authority which provides for conversion to a permanent position in the Competitive Service.

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This position has job functions that must be executed within specific geographic locations. The official duty station is a federal facility, leased space, or an alternative worksite (typically the employee’s home) within the specified geographic area. You will be expected to report to a specific GSA duty location at least one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy. 

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Serves as a national authority on Congressional Affairs, supporting the National Program Director in coordinating the congressional activities of GSA. Recommends methods for enhancing the efficiency and responsiveness of GSA to support Members of Congress and their staffs in all aspects of GSA operations.

• Represents the GSA to Members of Congress and their staffs in providing advice and assistance to their state and district offices.
• Coordinates congressional office moves and requests for the acquisition, installation, maintenance, and repair of furniture, office equipment, computers, carpet and drapes. Prepares and submits annual budget requests for funds expended by GSA for assigned Congressional offices and develops supplemental budgets to cover moves of Congressional offices and other unanticipated situations.
• Establishes contacts and maintains liaison with the U. S. Senate Sergeant at Arms, House Committee on Administration, and local Congressional officials regarding services GSA provides to their offices in the region. 
• Analyzes complaints and problems with GSA-provided services and coordinates corrective actions internally with the region and with other GSA activities.

Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
• Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
• Register with the Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959
• Direct Deposit of salary check to financial organization required.
• Be able to drive a vehicle and have a valid drivers license.

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

• Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch.
• Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
• Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
• Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
• Complete a financial disclosure report to verify that no conflict, or an appearance of conflict, exists between your financial interest and this position.
• Have a valid driver's license
• Participate in the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), which includes attending meetings and planning activities; and carrying out mission-critical work at a designated location other than your primary work site (which may be outside of your commuting area).

• This position has job functions that must be executed within specific geographic locations. The official duty station is a federal facility, leased space, or an alternative worksite (typically the employee’s home) within the specified geographic area. You will be expected to report to a specific GSA duty location at least one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy. The duty station will be Great Lakes Region - 230 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois.

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

• the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year)
• number of hours per week you worked (if part time).

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here.

The GS-13 salary range starts at $115,439 per year.

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or higher in the Federal service. 

Specialized experience must be directly related to researching and analyzing a variety of issues and problems related to relations between branches of government, the public and/or other stakeholders at the State and/or Federal levels of government; developing and recommending solutions and courses of action to senior officials; and implementing solutions and strategies effectively across multiple stakeholders in public or private entities.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be scored on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities. Your responses to these questions must be supported by your resume or your score may be lowered.

1. Knowledge of the Congressional Affairs program area, with an emphasis on Congressional support and legislative matters

          1a. Ability to provide technical guidance on Congressional program initiatives, related laws, regulations, methodologies and/or policies.

      2. Knowledge of Congressional district office procedures, operating requirements, organization and relationship to the House Committee on Administration and U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms.

      3. Knowledge of GSA regulations and special requirements imposed by both houses of Congress in providing services to Members of Congress and of internal procedures and regulations regarding procurement, property, inventory and fund control.

      4. Skill in oral and written communications to present sensitive recommendations to high-level authorities, to obtain compliance with policies from local activities, to articulate positions and policy of vast technical complexity, and to represent the Agency on task forces.                  

      5. Skill in analyzing a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of the Congressional Affairs Program and its effectiveness.

Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle, e.g., the minimum qualification requirements. If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions.

Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process.  If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

If you are eligible under GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.