Congressional Affairs Specialist

About the company

This position is part of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The incumbent will be responsible for leading and coordinating all Department of Defense (DoD) actions as subject matter expert (SME) for major arms sale Congressional Notification packages from inception to completion in accordance with federal regulations and DoD policies.

Your tasks

As a Congressional Affairs Specialist at the GS-0301-11/12/13 some of your typical work assignments may include: Leads and coordinates all Department of Defense (DoD) actions as subject matter expert (SME) for Foreign Military Sales Congressional Notifications (CNs) for the sale or transfer of defense articles and services to foreign governments and organizations. Providing timely notification to members of Congress, congressional staffs, and congressional committees pertaining to major defense sales in compliance with the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), other authorization, and appropriation legislation. Developing standard operating procedures (SOP) for Congressional Notification development and processing for DSCA, the Military Departments (MILDEPs) and other organizations. Tracking progression of Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs), amendments, and modifications through the lifecycle to ensure compliance with Congressionally notified levels. Preparing Congressional Notification informational briefings and papers as needed to report and/or assess Congressional Notification (CN) activity for DSCA leadership. Participating in pre-countersignature meetings to ensure draft LOAs are in accordance with the CN.

Requirements

To qualify for a Congressional Affairs Specialist your resume and supporting documentation must support: A. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position and is directly in or related to this position. To qualify at the GS-11 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military or private sector. To qualify at the GS-12 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military or private sector. To qualify at the GS-13 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military or private sector. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements including time-in-grade (General Schedule (GS) positions only), time-after-competitive appointment, minimum qualifications, and any other regulatory requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement. Creditable specialized experience includes: GS-11: Developing timely, comprehensive, factual and coordinating responses to sensitive Congressional inquiries in coordination with DoD components, to facilitate understanding of complex issues and programs within Congress GS-12: Identifying, evaluating and making recommendations concerning Congressional Notification processes in order for the Agency to determine the impact of Congressional issues on successful completion of Congressional Notifications associated with FMS. GS-13: Experience with Foreign Military Sales (FMS); Coordinating with Department of State (DoS) and the Military Departments and other Department of Defense (DoD) components, leading and coordinating all DoD actions as subject matter expert (SME) for major arms sale transfers of Congressional Notification packages from inception to completion in accordance with federal regulations and policies; Developing, processing, and reviewing Congressional Notifications for the sale or transfer of defense articles and services. OR B. Education Substitution: Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Education must be from a college or university accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education. See http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx. If using education to meet basic qualifications, YOU MUST SUBMIT A TRANSCRIPT as supplemental documentation. To qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you must possess: GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related OR C. Combination: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for grade levels GS-11, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-11. 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. Additional Information: Incumbent must attain DoD Security Cooperation Workforce (SCW) Certification and complete related continuous learning requirements in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2024, Title 10 United States Code, Section 384 and Security Cooperation Certification Program 2.0 requirements. Requirements for Proficiency Level 2 - At least 1 year of successful SC work experience with a performance appraisal rating of 3 or better. Incumbent must complete DoD SCW Practitioner level certification requirements within two years of entering the SC position. In addition, 60 hours of continuing education (CUE) every two years.

GS-12 and GS-13: Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level. ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. GRADUATE EDUCATION:

• One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study.
• Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis.
• If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
• Foreign education may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses.
• Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process.
• If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made.
• A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable.
• When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing.
• Documents must be in English or include an English translation.
• The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities.
• For further information, visit: Foreign Education