Congressional Affairs Advisor

Summary

This position in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) serves as a senior advisor on Congressional relations. The incumbent provides expert guidance to ECA and Department leadership on legislative activities lawmaker perspectives and educational/cultural exchange policy. Responsibilities include developing testimony managing funding proposals and facilitating communication between State Department officials and Congress.

Duties

• Initiates contact with key Congressional staff and Members on sensitive matters related to international cultural and academic exchange under consideration by the Legislative and Executive branches.
• Monitors and reports on activities and developing regulations related to ECA programs and funding under consideration by both Congress and other relevant entities and government agencies.
• Advises ECA leadership and management on Congressional attitudes reactions and opinions on international exchange issues and key policies.
• Represents ECA and/or the Department with delegated authority to commit to actions and funding in legislative strategy interagency working groups with U.S. Government (USG) foreign government and private sector partners.
• Oversees outreach to potential Congressional partners; collaborates in identifying emerging policy priorities.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of operations in terms of mission accomplishment quality and quantity standards procedural policy and regulatory compliance and technical competence.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities visit: must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.

  NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

  Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions per 5CFR 300 Subpart F.

  Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

  Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience supporting or advising on congressional or legislative affairs which may include tracking legislation hearings or policy developments; monitoring or analyzing political and legislative environments; or providing information or recommendations to leadership on how Congress or other stakeholders may respond to programs and policies.
  • Experience supporting communication or coordination between an organization and Congress or other external stakeholders which may include engaging with Members congressional staff or partner organizations; participating in legislative or policy strategy discussions; helping prepare testimony briefing materials or correspondence; or coordinating with internal or external stakeholders to advance policy objectives.
  • Experience contributing to outreach or engagement efforts related to legislative or public policy goals which may include helping develop engagement strategies; preparing analyses talking points or informational materials; assessing political or stakeholder dynamics; or building relationships and partnerships in support of organizational objectives.

  There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-15 position.

  Education

  Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

  Additional information

  • To request a reasonable accommodation foradditionaltime on thetimed sections of theassessment pleasesubmityour request using the Request a Reasonable Accommodation button within theAssessment Application.

    Forall otherreasonable accommodationsat the U.S. Department of State please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations(OAA)at .

    OAAis responsible forreviewing andadjudicatingreasonable accommodation(RA)requests for the Assessment Battery being usedfor this following applies to all RA requests:

    • RA requestscoveradditionaltime on timed sections only.

    • Applicantssubmittinga RA request MUST attach supporting medical documentation signed by a licensed treatingmedical provider. The documentation should describe the nature severity and expected duration of the conditionidentifythe relevant medical condition or diagnosis and explain the basis for the requested extension. RA requests that do notcontainsupporting medical documentation attachmentsatthetime ofinitialrequest may be subject to further review.

    • Note:the following documents do not on their own qualify for automatic approval oftheRA request:Schedule A letters VA benefits lettersorSSA letters.

    • Applicants MUSTsubmittheir application before the vacancy closes even if pending anaccommodationdecision.

    • Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow instructions related to medical documentation provided in the vacancy announcement prior to beginning the RA process.

    • Applicants will have 48 hours after their RA request isadjudicatedto complete the assessment generated after the allottedtimeframewill not be admissible and the applicant will not be considered further for the vacancy.

    • If a different type of RA is needed please contact OAA directly at .

  • If eligible situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days and may require a higher or lower security clearance. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.
  • Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP):View OPMs CTAP & ICTAP eligibilitywebsite for more information. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority be considered Well-Qualified applicants must: score an85 or above meet Minimum Qualifications and demonstrateproficiencyin some but notall major aspects of the position.

  Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority