Duties

APPLICATION LIMIT: This vacancy announcement is limited to the first 50 applications received and will close at 11:59PM Eastern Time on the day that we receive the 50th 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-0301-13 FPL 13, you will be responsible for:

• Coordinates and develops appropriate Departmental responses to Congressional requests for specific assistance, or information involving the Department's programs and initiatives.

• Identifies particularly controversial and sensitive issues and makes recommendations, ensures implementation of the appropriate congressional outreach strategies on such issues.
• Responsible for the day-to-day coordination of the Department's contacts with Capitol Hill and district offices on issues relating to the implementation of policies and programs under the Department's jurisdiction, and other matters of concern to Members of Congress and their staffs. Serves as contact, as coordinating person from Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs on issues relating to implementation of Departmental programs with other major Department offices.
• Interprets regulations and proposed regulations to Members of Congress, responsible for informing appropriate officials of Congressional intent regarding matters which are subject to the Department's regulations
• Directs special projects assigned by the Assistant Secretary, Deputy Assistant Secretary or Legislative Director of OLCA and ensures that policy, Congressional sentiment, and the Administration's views are evaluated. Manage the implementation of recommendations or findings that such projects warrant

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a US Citizen
• Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service.
• You may be subject to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Relocation will not be paid.

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).

Condition of Employment:

As required by 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. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with the agency, if after November 22. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Specialized Experience for the GS-13:

One year of experience in either federal or non-federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-12 performing two (2) out of three (3) of the following duties or work assignments:

1. Experience in providing advice to senior leadership on issues of Congressional interest, assisting in preparing leadership to engage with Members of Congress and their staff.
2. Experience in handling congressional requests for information by receiving, evaluating and referring work to appropriate divisions and offices, or to other entities including non-federal and federal agencies/organizations.
3. Experience in analyzing the commands programs, plans, and current problems to determine specific areas where Congressional interest may have favorable or unfavorable impact on organization.

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 practical consequences of Federal regulations through direct experience of the application of those regulations in the field or indirect experience of their application a close working relationship with entities responsible for their implementation.
2. Comprehensive and detailed knowledge of the State and Federal programs of assigned areas.
3. Knowledge of regulatory issues and processes including Departmental and OMB review and clearance.
4. Knowledge of the programs under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education, Congressional procedure and operation including legislative oversight, appropriations activities, subcommittee and committee operations, procedures on House and Senate floors and in conference committees.

Education

There is no substitution for education at this grade level.

Additional information

Veterans' Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email sro_recruiting@ed.gov to schedule a session with a career counselor ("Veterans Counseling Session" should be placed in the subject line of the email).

Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment.

Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check.

Essential/Non-Essential: This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures.

Financial Disclosure: This position does not require financial disclosure.

Telework: During the current period of mandatory telework required by the Agency's COVID-19 response, telework will be mandatory. When it is determined the Agency will be moving to the reopening phase, employees will be expected to physically return to the office of their official duty locations. Telework days and any required waiting period for eligibility will be determined at that time.

Bargaining Unit: This position is not included in the bargaining unit.

Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency.