Food and Drug Administration Logo
Position Title
Congressional Affairs Specialist
Agency
Food and Drug Administration
Announcement Number
FDA-OO-18-DE-10324119 Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, October 15, 2018 to Monday, October 29, 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? (limit characters)
2. Do you wish to be considered under a CTAP (Career Transition Assistance Plan) eligibility?
You may qualify for CTAP eligibility if all of the statements apply to you:
  • You are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy.
  • You have been (or will be) involuntarily separated from the agency advertising this position, due to a reduction-in-force.
  • You are applying to a position that is at (or below) the grade level of the position separated from.
  • You are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position separated from.
  • Your last performance rating of record is at least "fully successful" or equivalent.
For more information about CTAP, please see the Career Transition Assistance site on USAJOBS.

To verify your eligibility for CTAP:
You must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must also submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest SF-50: Notification of Personnel Action showing position, tenure code, grade & step, and full name/DOB/SSN.
(limit characters)
3. Do you wish to be considered under the Schedule A eligibility for people with disabilities?
You may qualify for this eligibility if you have a severe physical, psychiatric, or intellectual disability, that limits one (or more) of your life functions, and qualifies based on Schedule A provisions. You can read more about Schedule A on the USAJOBS website. Learn more about this eligibility on the Individuals with Disabilities page on USAJOBS...

To verify your eligibility:
You must provide appropriate medical documentation, such as a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition, fitness to work, and any related work restrictions. This documentation must be provided with your application. You will not be able to provide this documentation once the vacancy announcement closes. 
(limit characters)
4. Do you wish to be considered under the ICTAP (Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan) eligibility?
You may qualify for ICTAP if all of the following statements apply to you:
  • You are located in the same local commuting area of the position being advertised.
  • You were (or will be) separated from a position at an agency outside of the FDA due to a reduction-in-force.
  • You are applying to a position that is at (or below) the grade level of the position from which you have been (or will be) separated.
  • You are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you have been (or will be) separated.
  • Your last performance rating of record is at least "fully successful" or equivalent.
For more information about ICTAP, please review the Career Transition Assistance site on USAJOBS.

To verify your eligibility for ICTAP:
You must submit a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must also submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest SF-50: Notification of Personnel Action, showing the agency, position held, tenure and appointment codes, and full biographical information (name, DOB, and SSN).
(limit characters)
5. VETERANS PREFERENCE INFORMATION
The vacancy you are applying to is being advertised under Delegated Examining (Category Rating) procedures, in accordance with Title 5 of the US Code.  Veterans and certain military spouses are able to receive a preference eligibility based on prior military service, disability, or survivorship. You can read more about each eligibility option by clicking the links below.  If you answer "yes" to this question, you are indicating that you have read and understand the supporting documentation requirements, and that you will provide these supporting documents in your application.  Missing or inaccurate supporting documents may result in your preference claim being adjudicated as ineligible. It's very important that you make the correct selection and provide the required information and documentation for us to verify any claim you submit. 

There are three types of Veterans Preference:
  1. Disabled (10-point preference eligible)
  2. Non-Disabled (5-point preference eligible)
  3. Sole Survivorship (0-point preference eligible)
When an agency uses a category rating system, preference eligibles who have a compensable service-connected disability (group 1) are placed at the top of the highest category on the referral list (except for scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher). Non-disabled preference eligibles (group 2) are placed above non-preference eligibles within their assigned category. Spouses claiming a sole survivorship eligibility are eligible to apply to merit promotion vacancies along with other "status candidates", but otherwise do not receive additional preference.

See the FedsHireVets Job Seekers page for more information on how preference is applied, how to claim a preference, and what documentation you may need to supply.
You can also check out the USAJOBS Veterans site as well.


Having reviewed this information, do you intend to claim any kind of spousal or veterans preference in your application to this announcement?
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
1. From the descriptions below, select the one response which best describes your specialized experience qualification requirements for a Congressional Affairs Specialist, GS-0301-12. (limit characters)
In this part, you will respond to questions about experiences you have had that are related to the requirements of the job for which you are applying. Carefully review the response descriptions listed below. For each question or statement, select the one response description that best describes your experience, education, or training. A- I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task. B- I have had education or training in performing the task, but have not yet performed it on the job. C- I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures. D- I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee. E- I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
2. Evaluate program requirements, organization needs and/or policies involving the development, enactment, amendment, and extension of legislation and appropriations.
(limit characters)
3. Analyze authorizing and appropriating statutes, work plans, activities, and products to identify potential legislative issues.
(limit characters)
4. Oversee the development of recommendations and the preparation of explanatory and supporting materials.
(limit characters)
5. Analyze legislative and appropriations proposals, reviews and coordinates comments.
(limit characters)
6. Formulates/recommends positions to be taken on current issues related to food, and medical, radiological, and tobacco products.
(limit characters)
7. Attend Congressional hearings and analyze issues, questions, and outcomes in reports.
(limit characters)
8. Collaborate with senior officials on newly enacted legislation and appropriations affecting food and medical, radiological, and tobacco products.
(limit characters)
9. Participate in high level policy meetings to consider the impact of pending and proposed legislation and appropriations provisions.
(limit characters)
10. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local, state, and Federal government officials; members of Congress and their staff; and stakeholder groups.
(limit characters)
11. Advise organization officials and public/private groups concerning Congressional needs, pending legislation or appropriations affecting food and medical, radiological, and tobacco products.
(limit characters)
12. Represent the organization at committee markups and informal legislative drafting and/or language perfecting work sessions with stakeholders and their staff.
(limit characters)
13. Write formal bill reports, testimony, and related briefing materials.
(limit characters)
14. Draft legislation and appropriations language proposals related to food and medical, radiological, and tobacco products.
(limit characters)
15. Prepare materials to ensure complete and accurate hearing records.
(limit characters)
16. Respond to legislative inquiries and correspondence affecting regulatory policies and programs.
(limit characters)
Your responses in this Assessment Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your responses. Deliberate attempts to falsify information will be grounds for disqualifying you or for dismissing you from employment following acceptance. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. If you fail to answer this question, you will be disqualified from consideration for this position. (limit characters)
17. 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. (limit characters)