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.

Duties

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• 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.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.

NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement.

Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F.

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 supporting or advising on congressional or legislative affairs, which may include tracking legislation, hearings, or policy developments; monitoring or analyzing political and legislative environments; or providing information or recommendations to leadership on how Congress or other stakeholders may respond to programs and policies.
• Experience supporting communication or coordination between an organization and Congress or other external stakeholders, which may include engaging with Members, congressional staff, or partner organizations; participating in legislative or policy strategy discussions; helping prepare testimony, briefing materials, or correspondence; or coordinating with internal or external stakeholders to advance policy objectives.
• Experience contributing to outreach or engagement efforts related to legislative or public policy goals, which may include helping develop engagement strategies; preparing analyses, talking points, or informational materials; assessing political or stakeholder dynamics; or building relationships and partnerships in support of organizational objectives.

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

• 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 and may require a higher or lower security clearance. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.
• 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.

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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

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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.

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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.