Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Congressional Affairs, Washington, D.C.

Duties

This is a Recent Graduate appointment in the Pathways Program. Selected individuals are placed in a dynamic one year development program in the excepted service designed to lead to a competitive civil service career in the Federal government. At the successful conclusion of this program, the agency may non-competitively convert individuals to a term (position lasting 1-4 years with an extension up to 120 days) or permanent position within the competitive service. Conversion to a Federal competitive service position will be at the discretion of the agency and is neither guaranteed nor implied. The Congressional Liaison Specialist serves to support the link between CBP and Congress. This position provides assistance to the Office of the Assistant Commissioner and Staff Members by planning, directing, and coordinating congressional liaison activities, developing and maintaining a continuing awareness of the philosophies, mission, special interests, and areas of concern for the Office of Congressional Affairs. This position starts at a salary of $53,105.00 (GS-7, Step 1) to $84,441.00 (GS-9, Step 10) with promotion potential to $145,617(GS-13 Step 10). GS Salary : Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Typical duties include: Researching and developing background information/statistics on Agency/DHS programs for senior management to provide solid and logical justification to Congress in the advocacy of Agency/DHS goals and views. Researches and outlines the impact of proposed legislation to assist in developing and implementing legislative strategy and attends hearings to monitor House and Senate committee/floor action. Receiving congressional inquiries. Researching area of concern and recommends most advantageous course of action to resolve conflict. Disseminates information to Members of Congress and their staffs concerning the application of CBP and DHS laws, regulations and practices to specific cases. Establishes and maintains accurate files of all legislation concerning CBP and DHS including committee actions, House and Senate floor actions, etc., and informs appropriate officials of status. Promoting and publicizing the activity of the office throughout CBP and DHS and encourages CBP-wide awareness, input, suggestions and information through preparation of legislative articles for publications. Writes and/or edits submissions for management briefs. Reviewing testimony to be given before Congress by the component head and other key officials for content, clarity, potential conflict with previous testimony, adherence to CBP and DHS policy, etc. Ensuring that proposed testimony is cleared with DHS and OPM prior to its presentation. Reviews congressional correspondence for subject content, responsiveness, etc., as well as adherence to established policies governing preparation of congressional correspondence.

Requirements

Qualifications

Experience GS-7: You qualify for the GS-7 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Researching areas of concern and recommends course of action to resolve conflict. Reviewing testimony to be given before Congress. Reviewing congressional correspondence for subject content. Education Substitution: Have successfully completed one or more years of full-time graduate education from an accredited college or university; or Have completed all of the requirements for a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and claim eligibility for superior academic achievement bases on one of the following: a grade point average of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, class standing in the upper third of my graduating class or major subdivision, or membership in a national scholastic honor society. Combining Experience and Education: Have a combination of successfully completed education and experience that is at least 100% as described in the Combining Experience and Education statement in the announcement posting. I understand that I am required to submit proof of my educational claim. Experience GS-9: You qualify for the GS-9 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Attending Congressional/state legislative hearings or summarizing key issues; Responding in verbal & written format to requests for information from Congressional staff or community leaders related to agency programs & projects; Preparing Congressional correspondence for signature on routine, non-complex, & non-policy matters Education Substitution: I have successfully completed a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education at an accredited or pre-accredited college or university leading to such a degree or related LL. B. or J.D. Combining Experience and Education: I have successfully completed a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education at an accredited or pre-accredited college or university leading to such a degree or related LL. B. or J.D. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 12/13/2023. In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. You are eligible for this appointing authority if you are an individual who: Completed, within the previous two years by 12/13/2023, a qualifying associates, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. If you are a veteran who was unable to apply within two years of receiving your degree due to military service obligation, you have as long as six years after degree completion to apply. You must submit a copy of your transcripts showing type of degree received and date degree was received. In addition, if you are a veteran who was unable to apply within two years of receiving your degree due to military service obligation, please provide a copy of your DD-214 or a written statement from the armed forces certifying your dates of service and your rank, expected type of discharge and anticipated date of separation. To be eligible for conversion, Recent Graduates must: Successfully complete at least year of continuous service in addition to all requirements of the program; Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted; Meet agency-specific requirements and expectations as specified in the Participant's Agreement; and Perform their job successfully. EXPECTED TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT: Orientation program for Recent Graduates hired for the program; Mentorship throughout the program; Individual Development Plan to create and track Recent Graduates' career planning, professional development, and training activities; At least 40 hours of formal, interactive training each year of the program; Positions offer opportunity for career advancement. Recent Grad Promotions: Per CBP Policy, Recent Graduates are not eligible for promotions while in the one (1) year program.A Recent Graduate may be eligible for a promotion upon successful completion of the program if he/she meets the OPM qualification requirements for the position for which the Recent Graduate is being considered. Advancement to the next level upon successful program completion is approved by the Recent Graduate's supervisor and certified by HRM. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information, review the following links: Background investigation and the e-QIP process. Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information.

Contacts

• Address Office of Congressional Affairs Please read entire announcement Please apply online Washington, DC 20229 US
• Name: CBP Hiring Center
• Phone: 952-857-2932
• Email: [email protected]