Food and Drug Administration Logo
Position Title
Supervisory Congressional Affairs Specialist
Agency
Food and Drug Administration
Announcement Number
FDA-OC-19-DE-10327981 Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, October 12, 2018 to Thursday, October 18, 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)
Other Questions
1. In the last five years, based on the closing date of this announcement, have you served or are you currently serving as an Executive Branch political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointee?
You can find out if you have held one of these appointment types by looking at your Standard Form 50s in your Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF), in Section 5 where the legal authorities are listed.
  • A political appointee is an appointment made by the President without confirmation by the Senate (5 CFR 213.3102(c)) OR an assistant position to a top-level federal official if filled by a person designated by the President as a White House Fellow (5 CFR 213.3102(z)).
  • A Schedule C appointee occupies a position excepted from the competitive service by the President, or by the Director of OPM, because of the confidential or policy-determining nature of the position duties (5 CFR 213.3301 and 5 CFR 213.3302).
  • A Non-career SES appointee is approved by the White House and serves at the pleasure of the appointing official without time limitations (5 CFR 317 Subpart F).
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
1. From the descriptions below, select the one response which best describes your specialized experience qualification requirement for the Supervisory Congressional Affairs Specialist, GS-0301-15. (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. Lead the preparation of congressional hearings, including work to resolve internal policy conflicts, leading briefings for witnesses and communicating with congressional offices.

(limit characters)
3. Manage full spectrum of legislative affairs activities and workload of a staff.

(limit characters)
4. Oversee the development of recommendations and the preparation of explanatory and supporting materials. (limit characters)
5. Advise senior level management on legislative needs and pending Congressional legislation which may affect food, drug and cosmetic programs.

(limit characters)
6. Identify potential issues with proposed or enacted healthcare legislation.

(limit characters)
7. Collaborate with management officials and Congressional staff on all matters of legislative and Congressional interest. (limit characters)
8. I have experience conducting analysis, implementing regulations, policies, and procedures and applying the provisions of the following public health related statutes (SELECT ALL THAT APPLY): (limit characters)
9. If you answered "C" to the question above, please identify the other types of public health statutes with which you have experience and indicate where in your resume you gained the experience to support your response. Please include the following:

Name of public health statute(s)
Company Name
Position Title
Date(s) of Employment
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
10. Research and analyze proposed legislative actions and advise on potential impact to healthcare and food and drug programs.
(limit characters)
11. Formulate/recommend positions to be taken on current issues related to healthcare programs.
(limit characters)
12. Analyze newly enacted legislation and present that analysis to high level decision makers.
(limit characters)
13. Conduct legislative and/or Congressional research to appropriately formulate responses to congressional inquiries. (limit characters)
14. Represent an organization as a participant and/or speaker at committee markups and informal legislative drafting sessions with Congressional staff and/or meetings and conferences on congressional issues.
(limit characters)
15. Advise officials and public/private groups concerning congressional needs and pending legislation affecting healthcare programs.
(limit characters)
16. Respond to inquiries and correspondence affecting regulatory policies, programs, actions, and responsibilities implemented under existing statues and regarding legislative proposals.
(limit characters)
17. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local, state, and Federal government officials; members of Congress, their staff and representatives, and community healthcare groups.
(limit characters)
18. From the following list, please select those with whom you have developed and maintained effective relationships with and communicated guidance and advisory services on policy-related issues. SELECT ALL THAT APPLY (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
19. I have experience negotiating on regulatory, legislative and technical matters affecting public health policy issues. (limit characters)
20. From the list below, identify the materials that you have experience drafting and/or finalizing. SELECT ALL THAT APPLY (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
21. Draft formal bill reports, testimony, briefing materials and legislative proposals related to healthcare programs.
(limit characters)
22. Write and edit position papers, talking points and policy statements on sensitive and controversial matters related to significant Congressional actions.
(limit characters)
23. Develop and coordinate organizational responses to legislative, regulatory or other proposals affecting healthcare and food and drug programs.
(limit characters)
24. Explain in writing the application of laws, regulations, and precedents covering legal actions.
(limit characters)
25. Translate legislative analyses into useful information and recommendations for policy. (limit characters)