Congressional Liaison Specialist Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. OIG-24-DE-12447933-TM Department Office of the Inspector General
Salary $117,962.00 to $181,216.00 Grade 13 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/28/2024 Close Date 7/12/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability throughout the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In our dynamic environment, the OIG conducts investigations, audits, evaluations, and inspections to enhance program effectiveness and efficiency and to detect and prevent waste, fraud, and mismanagement in DHS programs and operations.

Duties

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), Executive Office of the Inspector General, Legislative Affairs Division (LAD). The OIG has statutory oversight responsibility covering the Department of Homeland Security. This oversight responsibility includes conducting and reporting on audits, inspections, investigations, and special inquiries of all overseas and domestic organizational entities of these organizations.As the Congressional Liaison Specialist, the incumbent performs duties and carries out responsibilities specifically included in the mission and to further the objectives of the Office, many of which relate directly to the requirements of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (as amended). Typical assignments include:

  • Designing, planning, initiating, and implementing strategies for dealing and communicating with the Congress in a manner which ensures a coherent, coordinated, and effective relationship. The incumbent fosters and maintains a continuing liaison with Members of Congress and their staff and with the members and staff of pertinent congressional committees of both the Senate and House of Representatives.
  • Drafting and reviewing pertinent materials and advising on legislative matters affecting the mission and responsibilities of the Department, the OIG, and OIGs of other agencies in the intelligence and foreign affairs communities. The incumbent is responsible for the preparation of testimony for the Inspector General for use in appropriations and authorization hearings, hearings on proposed legislation affecting the Department or the OIG, or hearings relating to other matters on which the Inspector General has been asked to testify.
  • Establishing relationships with various professional organizations and individuals to advise and keep them informed on the functions and purposes of the activities of the OIG of the Department of Homeland security. Keeping the Inspector General, OIG executive managers, and OIG staff informed of relevant draft legislation, pending and anticipated congressional committee hearings and meetings, and other Congressional activities, which may affect them.
  • Analyzing and developing comments on proposed legislation, policies, and regulations of the Federal government with particular emphasis on proposals of the DHS and the OIG.
  • Presenting OIG interests in meetings and discussions with members of Congress or their staff, and maintaining continuing contacts and coordinating with pertinent offices and responsible officials in the Department, the CIGIE, and the Office of Management and Budget on legislative and related matters that affect OIG oversight of agency activities.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation.
  • You must be able to obtain SECRET security clearance.
  • Financial disclosure is required.
  • Selective Service registration required.
  • Completion of one year Probationary Period may be required.
  • Submission of Performance Appraisal (for Federal employees) is mandatory.

Qualifications

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.If you are a current federal employee, you must meet all time-in-grade and time-after competitive appointment qualifications by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To make an accurate determination, you will need to include on your resume your federal position title, pay plan, occupational series, grade level, agency, dates for which you held the grade level (stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, OR MM/YYYY to PRESENT), and total hours worked per week. 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).

You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level performing duties such as:
- Preparing congressional correspondence and reports.
- Preparing materials for Congressional briefings.
- Preparing written responses to inquiries from members of Congress and their staff.
- Monitoring Congressional activity, including proposed legislation, to identify issues of importance.

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.

The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date 07/12/2024of this announcement.

Current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade level or equivalent grade band in the federal service. The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date 07/12/2024of this announcement.

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.

Additional information

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select Benefits. Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Additional identical positions may be filled from this announcement at a later date.


Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for SECRET Clearance as a condition of placement into this position.

DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Additional identical positions may be filled from this announcement at a later date.

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Your experience, education, and training will be rated using a job questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job:

  • Administration
  • Communication
  • Writing


If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:
  1. Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF) and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
  2. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
  3. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Preview the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12447933.

Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. (This position Is Not considered scientific/professional.) Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under ICTAP, you must be placed in the well-qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume NOTE: For what to include in the resume, click on the link.
2. Your responses to the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12447933
3. Are you a current or former federal employee? Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current grade; your highest grade held; your current promotion potential; proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, with-in grade/range increases and accessions.
4. Are you a veteran? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 or other (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) and/or documentation of service connected disability. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information.
5. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit a copy of your:
- Agency notice,
- Most recent performance rating, and
- Most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
6. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
- Position title
- Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee)
- Agency
- Beginning and ending dates of appointment
7. Are you a Military Spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty relocating or spouse of a disabled or deceased member of the Armed Forces? Submit the following:
- Documentation Verifying Marriage (i.e. Marriage Certificate)
- A copy of your Spouse's Active Military Orders; and
- DD-214 (member 4 copy), "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", showing all dates of service, as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc.) or Statement of Service/Proof of Service (in lieu of a DD-214) from your command or local Personnel Support Detachment (PSD).

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. If you are unable to apply online or need to submit a document you do not have in electronic form, visit this link for more information regarding an alternate application process.

Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59PM EST on 07/12/2024.

It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application.

Agency contact information

Timothy Martin
Address
Office of Inspector General
245 Murray Lane SW
Washington, DC 20528
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information."

If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.

Interview (If applicable): Interviews are required for this position. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to OIG.HROperations@oig.dhs.gov.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.