USA Staffing

Position Title: Government Affairs Specialist, GS-301-14 DE
Agency: National Science Foundation
Announcement Number: OD-24-12639923 Opens in new window
Open Period: Tuesday, December 17, 2024 to Monday, January 6, 2025

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

2. Are you a current NSF employee?

A. Yes

B. No

3.
Have you been laid off or received a letter stating that you will be laid off from the National Science Foundation? If so, you may be entitled to selection priority under the under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP). You must submit the following documents with your application:

copy of your current (or last) performance rating of record; and,
proof of CTAP eligibility

Note: Your proof of eligibility MUST show the position, grade level and duty location of the position from which you were (or will be) separated and your full performance level or career ladder. To ensure you fulfil this requirement, submit an SF-50 (Notification of a Personnel Action) that contains this information along with your proof of CTAP eligibility. Visit OPM's CTAP page for more information on eligibility and required documentation.

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible for CTAP? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.

A. Yes

B. No

4. Have you been laid off or received a letter stating that you will be laid off from federal employment, or have your disability payments from your previous federal employment stopped? If so, you may be entitled to selection priority under the under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP). You must submit the following documents with your application:

copy of your current (or last) performance rating of record; and,
proof of ICTAP eligibility or proof of CTAP eligibility

Note: Your proof of eligibility MUST show the position, grade level and duty location of the position from which you were (or will be) separated and your full performance level or career ladder. To ensure you fulfil this requirement, submit an SF-50 (Notification of a Personnel Action) that contains this information along with your proof of ICTAP or CTAP eligibility. Visit OPM's ICTAP or CTAP page for more information on eligibility and required documentation.

Based on the above and the referenced web pages, are you eligible for ICTAP or CTAP? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.

A. Yes

B. No

5. Are you now, or have you been in the last 5 years, a political appointee?

A. Yes

B. No

1. GS-14: Choose the answer that best describes your experience.

A. I have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the federal service supporting the development, oversight, and execution of an organization’s legislative strategy, ensuring that organizational interests are represented and disseminated.

B. I do not meet the requirements described above.

2. SELECTIVE FACTOR: Do you have experience identifying and analyzing science and technology policy issues, and formulating, planning, and executing legislative strategies in support of organizational goals?

A. Yes

B. No

3. What is your experience engaging in written and oral communication related to legislative affairs dealing with science and engineering research and education policy? Select all that apply.

A. I have developed materials designed to clarify an organization's operations, policies, programs, and activities suitable for presentation to Members of Congress and Congressional staff.

B. I assisted in the development of materials to be shared with Members of Congress, Congressional staff members, senior Federal officials, and key members of the external science, engineering, and education community.

C. I have prepared written and/or oral presentations to various internal and external groups to inform them of organizational policies and programs, objectives, and activities.

D. I have gathered, analyzed, and evaluated complex data in order to develop appropriate recommendations for a supervisor's presentation to Members of Congress and Congressional staff.

E. I have disseminated information (both oral and written) on important legislative issues and budget developments to key agency officials, the Office of Management and Budget, or the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

F. I have prepared and distributed reports of Congressional hearings, mark-ups, legislation, and floor debates pertaining to issues important to science and engineering research and education.

G. I have written position papers, proposals, justifications, and memorandum on a variety of legislative matters.

H. None of the above.

4. What experience do you have in preparing for Congressional hearings on behalf of your organization? Select all that apply.

A. I have participated in the planning and development of testimony.

B. I have developed briefing materials for activities associated with Congressional consideration of agency budgets or the authorization of agency programs.

C. I have written testimony or statements for key senior officials or Members of Congress and assisted in the preparation of those officials for Congressional hearings.

D. None of the above.

5. Regarding your knowledge of the legislative process and your experience working effectively with a wide range of issues and Congressional committees, select the item below that describes your highest level of experience.

A. I have not been exposed to the legislative process.

B. My knowledge of the legislative process and working with a wide range of issues and Congressional committees comes from on the job or formal training.

C. My work has required me to use my knowledge of the legislative process to work with a wide range of issues and Congressional committees on a daily basis.

D. My work has required me to use my knowledge of the legislative process to work with a wide range of issues and Congressional committees on a daily basis. In addition, I am normally the person tasked with providing advice and insight to others in my office because of my level of knowledge.

6. What experience do you have presenting information, findings, and/or recommendations? Select all that apply.

A. I have presented information, findings and/or recommendations to Members of Congress and/or their staff members.

B. I have presented information, findings, and recommendations to high-ranking agency officials.

C. I have presented information, findings, and recommendations to professional societies and associations, industry groups, and universities who have an interest in science and engineering.

D. I have presented findings and recommendations to other employees inside my agency.

E. None of the above.

7. Of the following, which have you done on a regular and recurring basis as a function of your position? Select all that apply.

A. I have made presentations for senior leaders.

B. I have functioned as the point of contact in the legislative clearance process.

C. I have represented my agency's, association's, or organization's position to members of Congress or their staff.

D. I have prepared speaking notes for senior leaders for press conferences or other informal appearances where science and engineering are topics of discussion.

E. I have developed working relationships with organizations within a variety of communities that include education or scientific special interest groups.

F. I have presented group/team findings and recommendations on legislative issues to senior management of my organization.

G. None of the above.

8. Which of the following targeted outreach products have you produced to represent organizational programs? Select all that apply.

A. Research Articles

B. Fact Sheets

C. Talking Points

D. Presentations

E. Educational Materials

F. Briefing Memorandum

G. None of the above

9. Indicate which of the following you have experience establishing and maintaining relationships with. Select all that apply.

A. Government agency counter-parts

B. Representatives from Scientific Societies

C. Members of Congress

D. Congressional Staff

E. Members of Academia

F. The general public

G. None of the above

10. Identify the highest response that reflects activities you have performed as a regular and recurring part of your job.

A. I have planned and developed legislative strategic plans to promote activities and accomplishments of my organization.

B. I have assisted in the planning and development of legislative strategic plans carried out by others to promote the activities and accomplishments of my organization.

C. I have planned and developed outreach activities other than legislative outreach for my organization.

D. I have planned, developed, and executed legislative strategies to promote organizational interests.

E. I do not have this type of experience.

11. I have experience writing/editing and or preparing Congressionally mandated reports for my organization or agency.

A. Yes

B. No

12. Indicate your experience developing and coordinating responses to Congressional correspondence. Select all that apply.

A. I have experience assisting with the development and coordination of responses to Congressional inquiries and correspondence.

B. I am responsible for the development and coordination of responses to Congressional inquiries and correspondence.

C. I have experience managing a system for tracking and ensuring timely responses to Congressional inquiries.

D. None of the above.

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