Summary
The position serves as Director, Government Relations, with responsibility for providing advice, insight, analysis, coordination, and liaison with respect to legislative and political activities related to the programs and activities of the Smithsonian Institution (SI). Advises SI senior officials and key stakeholders on matters of interest to Congress, the Executive Branch, and units of state and local governments. Provides analysis and advice as a participant in top-level policy discussions.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
This position is open to all applicants with the right to work in the United States
Duties
Congressional Relations
Advises Smithsonian Institution (SI) senior officials on matters relating to SI Congressional affairs. Reviews and analyzes legislative requirements of SI and drafts and coordinates legislative proposals for consideration by the Board of Regents in consultation with the Office of General Counsel and other SI units. Monitors the actions of Congressional committees as they relate to SI legislative and institutional interests, and provides necessary and strategic liaison with the Congress, Congressional staff, OMB, other agencies, and internal units on these matters.
Coordinates authorization and oversight hearings and the development of testimony for consideration of SI annual budget requests by Congress.
Serves as the initial point for communication with the Congress. Plans, coordinates, and advises on appropriate responses by SI senior officials to various questions and comments Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and the GAO.
Develops and maintains contacts with individual Members of Congress and Congressional staff having direct responsibility for, or interest in, SI programs.
Monitors existing and potential areas of Congressional interest which may result in Congressional inquiries or action affecting SI or would be otherwise relevant to SI interests. Develops the communication of this information and develops recommendations for SI follow-up action.
Drives strategic and legislative approach on SI priorities before Congress.
Promotes SI by developing opportunities for Members of Congress, their families, and their staff to introduce them to, and familiarize them with, SI resources and activities.
Advances SI's mission by developing strategic partnerships and plans with Congressional offices and staff in concert with SI senior officials.
Executive Branch Relations
Advises SI senior officials and leaders on matters relating to SI involving either the White House, Executive Departments, or other Federal agencies.
Liaisons affirmatively with the White House, Executive Departments, and Federal agencies having interests in SI. Supports efforts of SI units to build relationships with the White House, Executive Departments, and other Federal agencies, including applications for grants and contracts. Plans, coordinates, and advises on responses by SI senior officials to various questions from the White House, Executive Departments, and other Federal agencies.
Monitors actions of the White House, Executive Departments, and other Federal agencies to ensure that the interests of SI are properly represented.
Coordinates representation of SI before Federal regulatory agencies by supporting the development of positions and presentations in concert with the appropriate SI officials with responsibility and subject matter expertise.
Serves as an SI ambassador and promotes SI by developing opportunities for the White House and senior officials at Executive Departments, and other Federal agencies, their families, and their staff to introduce them to and familiarize them with SI resources and activities.
Advances the mission of SI by developing strategic partnerships and plans with the White House, Executive Departments, and other Federal agencies in concert with SI senior officials.
District, State and Local Governments
Advises SI senior officials and other leaders on matters relating to SI involving state and local governments and the government of the District of Columbia.
Liaisons affirmatively with D.C. Mayor’s office and the state governments of Virginia and Maryland (and other state agencies) to promote SI.
Advances the mission of SI by assisting in the development of strategic partnerships and plans with the District, state and other local governments and their agencies in concert with SI senior officials.
General
Assesses impact of current events and political environment on SI priorities, exercising a comprehensive knowledge of public policy issues and administration objectives and sensitivity to interrelationships of political, policy, and individual interests.
Manages the Office of Government Relations, supervising and coordinating the work of specialists. Develops and tracks office annual budgets, reviews financial records and spending, and adheres to budget guidelines and spending authorities.
Oversees agency management of correspondence to government entities described above; provides guidance on handling congressional correspondence to ensure timeliness and responsiveness; and reviews, monitors and, as necessary, improves outgoing correspondence.
Demonstrates commitment to EEO and diversity in work performance and applies these concepts in hiring, promoting, training and developing employees.
Drives and develops legislative strategies to achieve SI objectives.
Participates in top-level executive decisions, providing advice and information on government-related matters.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Pass Pre-Employment Background Investigation
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
Meets the basic qualifications and specialized experience as listed below.
Qualifications
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must clearly demonstrate the necessary level of managerial and leadership skills and competence to perform successfully in this position. This includes a degree in an applicable subject matter field, or a combination of education and appropriate experience that provides knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through successful completion of a four year course of study in an applicable subject matter field. An advanced degree is highly desirable.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE
In addition, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-15 level. Specialized experience is defined as the demonstrated knowledge and leadership skills as it relates to providing advice, insight, analysis, coordination and liaison with respect to legislative and political activities related to programs and activities of a large, multi-disciplinary complex organization.
The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
1. Demonstrated ability to manage an office that carries out a large number of diverse and often complex projects, and consistently meets the standards and expectations of senior officials and other key stakeholders.
2. Demonstrated ability to understand and conceptualize the diverse missions, goals, needs, and operating environment of the central Smithsonian administration and units, including your ability to work collaboratively and to establish and maintain strong relationships.
3. Experience working effectively with representatives of Government agencies, private organizations and partners, and members of the public.
4. Experience building cooperative relationships in working with Members of the U.S. Congress, Congressional Committees, and Caucuses. This should include engaging with committees such as: Appropriations and Rules and Administration
5. Skill in leading, supervising and managing a multi-disciplined and culturally diverse workforce. This should include attracting, retaining and motivating employees and implementing EEO/Affirmative Action programs.
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.
The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits program for both Federal and Trust employees. See www.sihr.si.edu for details. We also offer a rich program of services and opportunities to balance and enhance your work life. They include: Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (an accredited educational program for children between the ages of 3 months to 6 years), transportation benefits, professional interest groups, employee advocacy groups, special events such as brown bag lunches, an annual picnic on the Mall, an annual holiday party, free lectures, behind-the-scenes tours and employee discounts at our theaters, shops and after hours events. These and other programs have made the Smithsonian one of the top 10 places to work in the Government.
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.
The qualifications listed in this document will be used along with your resume and your responses to the questions posed in the electronic application process to determine the candidates who will move forward in the evaluation process. When preparing your responses to the questions, please provide concise, detailed information on your background and experience.
Important Note: Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to the major duties and qualifications criteria listed for this position.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the average number of hours per week spent in such employment. You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
Your Resume
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
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. Please Note:
- You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
- You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process;
OR - You may manually fax required documents. Faxes are received by an automated system, not a physical fax machine. Documents that are faxed as part of the application process must be sent with the system-generated cover sheet by the closing date. Documents faxed without the system-generated coversheet are not retrievable and cannot be considered as part of the application package.
- The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
- If you are unable to apply online, paper applications may be accepted with prior approval of the contact person listed below.
Next steps
After you apply and the position has closed, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. We usually have a large response to senior level positions and it may take some time to effectively review application packages. We will contact you by email as decisions are made.
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