This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Executive Secretary (ESEC). The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Legislative Affairs Specialist, in a developmental capacity, performing assignments designed to further develop applicable analytical and evaluative skills and techniques. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Duties

As a Legislative Affairs Specialist, GS-0301-9/11, your typical work assignments may include: Develops, establishes, and maintains legislative files knowing the vision and legislative agenda. Provides support to the Legislative Analysts in researching congressional records, writing and reviewing preliminary testimony, monitoring congressional hearings, and maintaining records on all legislative actions affecting the DHS. Working under the Senior Analysts, assists in coordinating congressional staff actions and analysis of legislation, develops written legislative language and related material along with printed media. Ensures that all the current year un- financed requirements are properly noted, articulated and communicated to Members of Congress, their Staffs, and other interested people, bodies and organizations. Responsible for coordinating responses to congressional committee questions, preparation and clearance of congressional testimony provided for the record, and for organizing and monitoring databases for congressional and political research. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.
• You must meet time-in-grade requirements.
• You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
• This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP).
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Security Clearance.

Qualifications

GS-9 Level: You may qualify at this grade level by meeting one (1) of the following below: Specialized Experience You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in federal service (GS-7) or public/private sector equivalent experience. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Knowledge of current issues, proposed policies, plans, and programs of the DHS sufficient to recognize the sensitivity of topical inquiries as they are received. Knowledge of the organizational structure and functional responsibilities of all parts of the headquarters, staff agencies, and field commands in order to pursue a variety of problems to a conclusion. Knowledge of the basic functions of all the federal agencies and departments in order to coordinate replies or to refer inquiries to the appropriate source of action. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. -OR- Substitution of Education for Experience You may substitute education for experience at this grade level by possessing one of following: Master's or equivalent graduate degree 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree LL.B. or J.D., if related -OR- Combination of Education and Experience You may qualify at this grade level if you have a combination of education and experience (i.e. 6 months specialized experience and over 18 graduate level credits). NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify for the next grade level. You must submit a copy of your transcripts for review. GS-11 Level: You may qualify at this grade level by meeting one (1) of the following below: Specialized Experience You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in federal service (GS-9) or public/private sector equivalent experience. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Knowledge of political and congressional liaison principles, methods, practices and techniques; analytical methods; program management methods; and interpersonal relations practices in order to apply new approaches to difficult and complex congressional problems. Knowledge of DHS missions, policies, and processes to interact with DHS Components. Knowledge of the executive and legislative decision-making processes to skillfully interact with congressional experts and decision-makers in various DHS related subject matters. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. -OR- Substitution of Education for Experience You may substitute education for experience at this grade level by possessing one of following: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree LL.M., if related -OR- Combination of Education and Experience You may qualify at this grade level if you have a combination of education and experience (i.e. 6 months specialized experience and over 36 graduate level credits). NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify for the next grade level. You must submit a copy of your transcripts for review. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement. Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE. National Service Experience: 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: 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.

Education

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

Contacts

• Address Department of Homeland Security Headquarters OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170 6595 Springfield Center Drive Springfield, VA 20598-0170 US
• Name: Tracy Castillo
• Email: [email protected]