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Senior Congressional Adviser

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Jan 31, 2021
Duties

Summary

This position is part of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, Office of External Affairs. As a Senior Congressional Adviser you will build solid working relationships with Congressional staff and Members of Congress in order to deepen their understanding of DFC's business and mission as the U.S. Government's development finance arm and how it supports U.S. foreign policy and U.S. businesses.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Works on legislative matters that involve complex issues, requiring a detailed knowledge of Congressional practices and processes, with a focus on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, House Foreign Affairs Committee, and House and Senate Appropriations Committees, as they apply to the DFC portfolio.

Develops Congressional testimony and related briefing materials for DFC witnesses and prepares them for legislative, oversight, and other hearings.

Conducts expert analysis of draft Congressional legislative proposals to determine impact on DFC policies, programs and procedures, and formulates proposed positions and draft legislative proposals for the agency.

Acts as liaison to Congress on complex and sensitive DFC issues and ensures the agency is informed timely on developing issues and that the pertinent facts are conveyed in a logical manner.

Prepares materials to inform the Corporation on matters pending before the United States Congress that could positively or adversely affect DFC and its operations, and to suggest policy and strategy options for the Corporation in response to such legislation.

Monitors the progression of bills affecting DFC, especially its funding, as they move from Committee to the floor.

Oversees the development of legislative and outreach memos, talking points and supporting documentation for Members of Congress and DFC principals for use by DFC management in both internal and external meetings with government officials, Members of Congress and others.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Must submit resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitability for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period


Qualifications

Applicants must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements no later than 30 days after the closing date of this announcement.

You may qualify at the GS-14 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service that includes:
  • writing statements, position papers, questions and related briefing materials in preparation for legislative, oversight and other Congressional hearings and briefings in coordination with other groups or Executive Branch agencies;
  • establishing and maintaining close, effective relationships with Members of Congress and their staff, for the purposes of obtaining views, providing assistance, and exchanging information on pending legislative initiatives related to foreign policy and development;
  • coordinating and facilitating effective communication between an agency/organization and Members of Congress, and their staffs on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Senate and House State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittees on Appropriations;
  • reviewing policies, assessing political viability of options and alternatives, developing innovative approaches relating to foreign policy and development matters; and
  • conducting analysis of draft legislative proposals to determine impact on agency and/or organization policies.
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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:
1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;
2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and
3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.
For more information: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp) .

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans .

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx ).
Telework Suitability : The duties of this position are suitable for telework. The selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval and if they meet the eligibility criterion in the 2010 Telework Act.

Stipulations of Employment : Selection may require completion of a 1-year probationary period.

Work Schedule : This position allows for a flexible work schedule.

Miscellaneous: DFC uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify .

This position is being advertised concurrently with vacancy announcement 21-OEA-ST-11010881 using Merit Promotion procedures. If interested, refer to that announcement to determine if you meet DE requirements and can apply to that announcement. NOTE: You must apply separately to each announcement in order to be considered under both.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill similar positions within 90 days.

Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized for this position.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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 resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume 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.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Analytical Thinking
  • Congressional and Legislative Affairs
  • Oral Communication
  • Written Communication

You may preview the Assessment Questionnaire at: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11010879

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 quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Secret

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

Trust determination process
National security

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. Your responses to the job questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11010879
3. Other supporting documents:
  • Cover Letter, optional
  • Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
  • Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)

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