CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS ADVISOR

Summary This position in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) serves as a senior advisor on Congressional relations. The incumbent provides expert guidance to ECA and Department leadership on legislative activities, lawmaker perspectives, and educational/cultural exchange policy. Responsibilities include developing testimony, managing funding proposals, and facilitating communication between State Department officials and Congress. Learn more about this agency Duties Initiates contact with key Congressional staff and Members on sensitive matters related to international cultural and academic exchange under consideration by the Legislative and Executive branches. Monitors and reports on activities and developing regulations related to ECA programs and funding under consideration by both Congress and other relevant entities and government agencies. Advises ECA leadership and management on Congressional attitudes, reactions, and opinions on international exchange issues and key policies. Represents ECA and/or the Department with delegated authority to commit to actions and funding in legislative strategy interagency working groups with U.S. Government (USG), foreign government, and private sector partners. Oversees outreach to potential Congressional partners; collaborates in identifying emerging policy priorities. Evaluates the effectiveness of operations, in terms of mission accomplishment, quality and quantity standards, procedural, policy, and regulatory compliance, and technical competence. Requirements Conditions of employment U.S. Citizenship is required. Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/ Qualifications Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. If you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application. Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience advising on congressional relations, to include but not limited to tracking legislation and hearings, analyzing political environments, and recommending strategies to senior leaders on how Congress may respond to organizational programs and policies. Experience serving as a liaison between an organization and Congress (e.g., engaging Members and staff on sensitive matters, representing the organization in legislative strategy meetings, preparing testimony and briefing materials, and coordinating with stakeholders to advance policy objectives). Experience developing congressional outreach campaigns, such as crafting engagement strategies, preparing analyses and talking points, analyzing political dynamics, and building partnerships to support legislative policy goals. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-15 position. Education Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement. Additional information For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at [email protected].   If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.    Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.  Veterans: Veterans’ preference points are added to the passing score of candidates eligible for either 10-point or 5-point preference. Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% or more are listed at the top of a certificate regardless of score. Other 10-point and 5-point preference eligible veterans who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed in score order. View information on veterans' preference on OPM’s Fed Hire Vets website.  Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP): View OPM’s  CTAP & ICTAP eligibility website for more information. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority consideration. To be considered Well-Qualified applicants must: score an 85 or above, meet Minimum Qualifications, and demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all major aspects of the position.  Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.