Legislative Affairs Specialist

Department of Energy

Department of Energy Headquarters

Office of Inspector General- Immediate Office of the Inspector General

Summary

This position is part of the Office of the Inspector General, Department of Energy. As a Legislative Affairs Specialist, to support the mission of strengthening the integrity, economy, and efficiency of the Department's programs.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Duties

As a Legislative Affairs Specialist, you will be responsible for a wide range of complex duties. Your major duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Serve as a senior legislative affairs specialist and primary point of contact for congressional committees, personal office staff, and congressional support agencies on DOE OIG oversight matters.
Plan and coordinate OIG responses to complex congressional inquiries, document requests, briefings, and requests for technical assistance.
Monitor, analyze, and evaluate introduced legislation, committee reports, hearing records, and appropriations measures to determine impacts on OIG, DOE, and NNSA programs and resources.
Lead preparation for high-level congressional hearings, briefings, and transcribed interviews, including developing witness preparation materials, testimony, and anticipated questions and answers.
Coordinate congressionally required statutory reports and official correspondence, ensuring compliance with legal authorities, disclosure restrictions, and OIG independence.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
May be required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450 or an Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08).
This position is a Drug Testing Designated position and is subject to preemployment and random drug testing.
Will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
Must obtain and maintain a Q Security Clearance. The position demands the highest degree of public trust and requires the incumbent to possess a DOE Q-Sensitive security clearance.
This position is not remote, the selectee will be expected to report to the duty station(s) listed. If selected, military spouses, veteran caregivers, and spouses of foreign service employees may be eligible for applicable workplace flexibilities.

Qualifications

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience.

For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected

To qualify for this position at the GS-14 grade level, you must possess one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement.

EXPERIENCE: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience that demonstrates ALL of the following.:

Independently analyzing, tracking, and evaluating federal legislation, proposed amendments, committee reports, or statutory oversight mandates to assess operational, policy, or resource impacts on an agency or organization, and preparing written analyses, legislative impact assessments, or decision memoranda for senior leadership.
Serving as a primary or designated liaison to Members of Congress, congressional committee staff, or personal office staff, which includes coordinating and managing timely, accurate responses to complex congressional inquiries, oversight requests, or requests for information.
Leading or coordinating the substantive preparation of senior executives or official witnesses for congressional hearings or high-level briefings, including researching, drafting, or finalizing testimony, briefing books, opening statements, or anticipated questions and answers (Q&As).
Developing, reviewing, or coordinating official congressional correspondence, statutory reports, or formal oversight responses across organizational components, while identifying and protecting confidential, privileged, classified, or otherwise sensitive information.

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined above by the closing date of the announcement. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series 0301

Volunteer Experience: "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level(s) of this announcement.

Additional information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/articles/45063274752915-Reasonable-Accommodations

The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov
Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized to newly appointed federal employees for amounts up to 25% of annual salary. If a recruitment incentive is authorized, the employee must sign an agreement to fulfill a period of service with the agency of not less than 6 months and not more than 4 years, as determined by the gaining office in accordance with agency policy. Authorization of incentives is not guaranteed and is subject to available funding and management approval.
Relocation Incentives: May be authorized to current Federal employees who must relocate to accept a position in a different geographical area, for amounts up to 25% of annual salary. If a relocation incentive is authorized, the employee must sign an agreement to fulfill a period of service with the agency of not less than 6 months and not more than 4 years, as determined by the gaining office in accordance with agency policy. Authorization of incentives is not guaranteed and is subject to available funding and management approval.

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.

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.

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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials ( e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

Attention to Detail
Customer Service
Decision Making
Flexibility
Influencing/Negotiating
Integrity/Honesty
Interpersonal Skills
Learning
Reasoning
Self-Management
Stress Tolerance
Teamwork

CATEGORY RATING

Your responses to the technical assessment questionnaire will be evaluated and you will be placed into one of the predefined quality categories below. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.

These categories are "Best Qualified," "Well Qualified," and "Qualified."

Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. Preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more (CP/CPS) are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or above (or equivalent).

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Career Transition Assistance Programs (ICTAP/CTAP): To receive selection priority for this position, you must meet the eligibility criteria and be rated "well-qualified." A "well-qualified" candidate is defined as having a score of 85 or higher under the Rule of Many, or ranking in the Best Qualified or Well Qualified category under Category Rating procedures.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13093926

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:

Your two (2) page RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement.Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
Veterans' Preference documentation,if applicable, DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable(e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.

Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents sections. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

The application process is as follows:

Click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use your assessment link.
Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.

For more general information, system requirements, reasonable accommodation information, and to request assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources:
https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_Assessments.

To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has been closed.

To view the application status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/

If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices

Agency contact information

Dominic Vigil

Email: dominic.vigil@hq.doe.gov

Address: Office of the Inspector General
1000 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20585
US

Next steps

Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessment. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.

Your assessment result will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated.

You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJOBS Account and editing the Notification Settings.

You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.

Legislative Affairs Specialist Job in Washington, DC