This Congressional Relations Officer (CRO) position is in the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs (OCLA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The employee serves as a CRO in one or more of the following areas: health, benefits, budget/appropriations, construction program, memorial affairs, acquisitions, and human resources, information technology, and administration.

Duties

The initial application review cut-off for this job announcement is 50 applications. The first 50 applications received will be considered first. Applications received after the initial cut-off number (50 applications) may not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management. ***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-14. At the GS-13 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-14. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. Promotion is not guaranteed, and no promise of promotion is implied. Handle the most complex and sensitive congressional issues and provide technical supervision to lower-graded Congressional Relations staff; Oversee Department's preparation for and follow-up to congressional hearings; Assist with department and/or staff offices concerning matters within the Congressional Relations Officer's area of program and legislative responsibility; Provide substantive information relative to assigned responsibilities for response to Members of Congress, their staff, or others having interest in the mission and functions of the Veterans Affairs; Assist Members of Congress and their staff concerning program and policy matters and pending legislation; Perform related duties as required. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized. Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-13: Do you have one year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in Federal service. Specialized experience includes: analyzing and interpreting legislative and congressional activities to support policies, programs, and initiatives; monitoring congressional activities and reporting/disseminating program and/or policy informing matters; interfacing with senior leaders and preparing them for large scale meetings; and recommending communication strategies on legislation, policies, or directives that impact an agency. This experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-14: Do you have one year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position, and that is typically in or related to the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in Federal service. Specialized experience includes: interfacing with and advising national leaders/policymakers on matters relating to an agency's mission and strategic plan; managing preparations for and follow-ups to congressional hearings and/or briefings; leading efforts on congressional inquiries that may impact one or multiple departments across an agency; and advising on the management of congressional issues. This experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: CommunicationPolitical SavvyStakeholder Management IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. 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. Physical Requirements: The work of this position is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. May require occasional travel. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address DAS Congressional Affairs 810 Vermont Ave Washington, DC 20420 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]