- Position Title
- Congressional Relations Officer
- Agency
- Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs
- Announcement Number
- CARY-18-10103251-ENJ Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Friday, December 22, 2017 to Monday, January 8, 2018
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
- your grade at the time of displacement is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy AND
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the Department of Veterans Affairs?
If yes, confirm:
For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
If yes, confirm:
- you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
- your grade at the time of displacement equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy and
- your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
Select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and education are subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or education as proof to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task.
Specialized Experience: This section includes questions about the specialized experience for this vacancy. Carefully read the following descriptions below, select ONE statement below that best describes how your experience meets the specialized experience for a Congressional Relations Officer, GS-0301-12/13/14. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Read all responses before making your selection.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
For the GS-12: Do you possess one year of specialized experience to at least the GS-11 level? The specialized experience for this position is: having skills in analyzing and interpreting complex issues that are often times politically sensitive; determining identified problems, or weaknesses in the system or in communication with Capitol Hill; having thorough knowledge of intricacies of the legislative process and the Department's and Administration's legislative agenda in order to execute responsibilities and applies that knowledge to individual scenarios when providing guidance and support to key program officers and to offices of Members of Congress; and accurately interprets implications and urgency of verbal or written statements, requests, and positions presented.
2.
For the GS-13: Do you possess one year of specialized experience to at least the GS-12 level? The specialized experience for this position is: having skills in analyzing and interpreting complex issues that are often times politically sensitive; determining identified problems, or weaknesses in the system or in communication with Capitol Hill; having thorough knowledge of intricacies of the legislative process and the Department's and Administration's legislative agenda in order to execute responsibilities and applies that knowledge to individual scenarios when providing guidance and support to key program officers and to offices of Members of Congress; and accurately interprets implications and urgency of verbal or written statements, requests, and positions presented; and analyzing and interpreting attitudes and opinions for application in the trouble-shooting process and recommendation aspect of the position.
3.
For the GS-14: Do you possess one year of specialized experience to at least the GS-13 level? The specialized experience for this position is: having expert skills in analyzing and interpreting complex issues that are often times politically sensitive; determining identified problems, or weaknesses in the system or in communication with Capitol Hill; having expert and thorough knowledge of intricacies of the legislative process and the Department's and Administration's legislative agenda in order to execute responsibilities and applies that knowledge to individual scenarios when providing guidance and support to key program officers and to offices of Members of Congress; accurately interprets implications and urgency of verbal or written statements, requests, and positions presented; analyzing and interpreting attitudes and opinions for application in the trouble-shooting process and recommendation aspect of the position; providing mastery of effective communication techniques is essential in order to recognize sensitive issues and developments both on Capitol Hill and within the agency; and providing expert accuracy in analyzing and interpreting attitudes and opinions is essential for application the troubleshooting process and recommendation aspect of this position.
Selective Placement Factor: This position includes a skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to -and essential for- satisfactory performance of the job. Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. Evidence of the Selective Placement Factor must be reflected in your resume.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
4.
The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Do you have experience overseeing public relations activities and communications for an organization to include compiling research and writing reports, arranging speaking engagements and coordinating briefings?
For each task in the following groups, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training.
The following statements pertain to your knowledge of and experience in Communications.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
5.
Provide substantive information relative to responsibilities through both verbal and written communications and personal meetings.
6.
Recommend strategies for communicating legislation to Congress.
The following statements pertain to your knowledge of and experience in Project Management.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
7.
Review official departmental congressional correspondence through a shared web system for accuracy, tone, and consistency with Administration policy.
8.
Personally provide substantive information relative to assigned responsibilities for response to Members of Congress, their staffs.
The following statements pertain to your knowledge of and experience in Organizational Awareness.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
9.
Personally assist Members of Congress and their staffs concerning program and policy matters and pending legislation.
10.
Personally assist assigned department and/or staff offices concerning matters within the area of program and legislative responsibility.
The following statements pertain to your knowledge of and experience in Oral Communications.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
11.
Explain and provide information on issues affecting the organization's programs of national significance.
12.
Report to superiors on Committee/Members/Staff views, attitudes, concerns and activities in an effort to resolve problems relating to program, policy, and legislative matters.
The following statements pertain to your knowledge of and experience in Written Communication.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
13.
Record and analyze substantive points raised during hearings and complete a summary of the hearing.
14.
Review and edit oral and written testimony for congressional hearings.
The following is a Certification of Understanding. RESPONSE TO THIS STATEMENT IS MANDATORY. Please note, if you do not answer this question, it will result in not being considered for this position.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
15.
I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
Veteran's Preference Documentation Reminder - In order to receive appropriate preference consideration, you should submit proper documentation if you are claiming eligibility for veteran's preference, which includes a copy of your DD-214 (a version that shows character of service). Applicant's claiming 10-Point preference should also submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference along with the required documentation listed on the SF-15 form (such as verification of service-connected disability percentage).
Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed: Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible) Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.