Duties

• As the senior Legislative Affairs Specialist for the command; supports the Director in directing, planning, organizing and managing the activities of the staff together with executive leadership.
• Serves as the Special Staff's principle representative for coordinating congressional issues within the Pentagon and DC based inter-agencies.
• In coordination with the supervisor, establishes guidelines for the command to answer inquiries related to congressional committee investigations.
• Exercises personnel management responsibilities.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• The work requires frequent travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• This is a Centrally Managed Position. PCS expenses if authorized will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations.
• This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• The employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
• This position is designated as a KEY position IAW AFI 36-507. The duties of this position meets all requirements as a category 4 designation, and shall not be vacated during a national emergency
• (cont.) or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the parent Federal Agency or office to function effectively. This position must be removed from the Ready Reserve
• (cont.) and CAN NOT become a member of the Ready Reserve. (IAW: DoDD 1200.7, "Screening the Ready Reserve.")
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing.
• This is a Supervisory Position." A 1 year supervisory probationary period is required if applicant selected has not previously met this requirement.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions, 0301

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-13, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes: Mastery of the Legislative Liaison Administrative field to generate, develop, and manage the impact of legislation or legislative actions on Agency ability to meet operational and other mission requirements. This position provides expertise on highly sensitive political and congressional liaison principles, methods, practices and techniques; analytical methods; program management methods, and interpersonal relations practices in order to develop and recommend new approaches to the most difficult and complex congressional problems or issues; expert knowledge and skill to analyze congressional reactions to agency programs and policies in developing recommendations that significantly modify major programs and policies.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-­grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Expert knowledge of all legal and regulatory procedures, policies, initiatives, and directives applicable to DOD military combatant command operations and programs; and ability to effectively advocate issues to advance the objectives and goals of the command that require legislative coordination and support involving Congressional interaction with senators, representatives, committees, and staff members.

2. In-depth knowledge of the legislative and executive branches of government particularly with the roles, functions and procedures of Congress. Desired to have previous legislative affairs program experience with a Service or Defense Agency, preferably in the Washington DC area.

3. Expert knowledge of political and congressional liaison principles, methods, practices and techniques; analytical methods; program management methods and interpersonal relations practices in order to develop and apply new approaches to the most difficult and complex congressional obstacles to achieving program changes.

4. In-depth knowledge of the structure of the DOD unified commands and their relationship to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, military services, and other related external agencies. Specific experience with the U. S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR) is highly desirable.

5. Knowledge, skill, and ability to analyze congressional reaction to agency programs and policies in developing recommendations that significantly modify major programs and policies.

6. Advanced skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals having opposing points of view and conflicting interests and explaining a position while not criticizing other views or arousing damaging hostility.

7. Skill to gather, assemble, and analyze facts, draw conclusions, conduct analysis, develop recommendations, and package the entire process in briefings, papers, or reports suitable for top management use and decision making.

8. Advanced skill to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing and to negotiate complex issues.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that 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

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here . To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected at the full performance level and placed at the full performance level. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

If you are unable to apply online, view the following link for information regarding Alternate Application . The Vacancy ID is 11299934

Department of the Air Force has implemented COVID-19 vaccination requirements set forth in Executive Order 14043. Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. Upon selection, you will be required to provide documentation proof as "fully vaccinated" prior to issuance of a firm job offer. Air Force will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required exemption from this requirement. More information on COVID requirements may be found here .

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here .

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.