Congressional Liaison Specialist, GS-0301-12, FPL GS-12 (ED Only)
This position is located in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs (OLCA). OLCA serves as the liaison between ED and Congress, coordinating all Department matters relevant to Congress. the organizational structure consists of political leadership who work to effectively communicate the Administration's position on education issues, career staff for policy that advise on Congressional legislative affairs staff that aid in resolving constituent concerns.
Major duties
APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 200 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 200th application, or at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the listed closing date, whichever occurs first. We encourage you to read this entire vacancy announcement prior to submitting your application. As a Congressional Liaison Specialist, GS-0301-12, FPL GS-12, you will be responsible for: Serving as the Department's primary liaison with specific offices within the Department to expedite responding to congressional inquiries which are sensitive and complex in nature. Researching and preparing special reports and briefings for inter and intra agency use to ensure that all pertinent information is provided to appropriate personnel. Producing briefing memos about policies and procedures for interaction with senior Department officials and drafts communications on specific programs and procedures for transmittal to Congress. Developing outreach efforts to Congress on legislation and other Departmental activities, including arranging and attending meetings for congressional staff and constituents, with appropriate ED officials. Analyzing the scope of inquiries and identifies trends and potentially controversial issues. Managing and executing the receipt, review, and analysis of congressional inquiries (verbal and written) from Members of Congress to the Department.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualification Requirements You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-12, if you possess the specialize experience. Specialized Experience for the GS-12: One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-11 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments: 1. Experience applying analytical methods to determine the coordination and dissemination of congressional inquiries. 2. Experience managing a large volume of congressional inquiries on behalf of constituents related to Title IV Programs. 3. Experience gathering and organizing departmental program information, applying subject matter analysis to the accuracy of the document and content material. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement). 1. Knowledge of legislation, regulations and policies essential to carry out provisions of Federal Title IV, Higher Education Act, Student Financial Aid, accreditation, eligibility and certification of education institutions. 2. Knowledge of Legislative Procedures of Congress to implement and perform technical analysis of complex legislative and regulatory matters. 3. Knowledge to communicate with managers at various levels and meet with Members of Congress and their staff to conduct Student Financial Aid workshops upon request. 4. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in a courteous manner.
Education
Education cannot be substituted for experience for this position and grade level. Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must submit a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, please click Foreign Education.
Requirements
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has interagency agreements (IAAs) with other agencies to ensure efficient delivery of funded programs and activities and move closer to fulfilling the President's promise to return education to the states. Employees may receive detail assignments to these agencies in support of the IAAs. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. If you are a current federal employee, you must meet all time-in-grade and time-after competitive appointment qualifications within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To verify that you meet these requirements, we will review your responses to the core eligibility questions on the occupational questionnaire, as well as your submitted resume and required documents. To make an accurate determination, you will need to include on your resume your federal position title, pay plan, occupational series, grade level, agency, dates for which you held the grade level (stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, OR MM/YYYY to PRESENT), and total hours worked per week. 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). Key Requirements: Relocation will not be paid. You may be subject to serve a one-year probationary period. Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service. Must be a US Citizen. Must complete a Background Investigation.