This position is part of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The incumbent will be responsible for leading and coordinating all Department of Defense (DoD) actions as subject matter expert (SME) for major arms sale Congressional Notification packages from inception to completion in accordance with federal regulations and DoD policies.
To Qualify for a Congressional Affairs Specialist, your resume and supporting documentation must support: A. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position and is directly in or related to this position. To qualify at the GS-11 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military or private sector. To qualify at the GS-12 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military or private sector. To qualify at the GS-13 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military or private sector. GS-11: Developing timely, comprehensive, factual and coordinating responses to sensitive Congressional inquiries in coordination with DoD components, to facilitate understanding of complex issues and programs within Congress. GS-12: Identifying, evaluating and making recommendations concerning Congressional Notification processes in order for the Agency to determine the impact of Congressional issues on successful completion of Congressional Notifications associated with FMS. GS-13 Experience with Foreign Military Sales (FMS); coordinating with Department of State (DoS) and the Military Departments and other Department of Defense (DoD) components, leading and coordinating all DoD actions as subject matter expert (SME) for major arms sale transfers of Congressional Notification packages from inception to completion in accordance with federal regulations and policies; and developing, processing, and reviewing congressional notifications for the sale or transfer of defense articles and services. OR GS-11 ONLY B. Education Substitution: Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Education must be from a college or university accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education. See http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx. If using education to meet basic qualifications, YOU MUST SUBMIT A TRANSCRIPT as supplemental documentation. To qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you must possess: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR C. You have some specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and you have more than one year but less than two years of education as described in B. You have computed the percentage of the requirements that you meet, and the total is at least 100%. (To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond the first year by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.) 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.
As a Congressional Affairs Specialist at the GS-0301-11/12/13 some of your typical work assignments may include: Leads and coordinates all Department of Defense (DoD) actions as subject matter expert (SME) for Congressional Notification (CN) Packages for the sale or transfer of defense articles and services to foreign governments and organizations. Provides timely notification to members of Congress, congressional staffs, and congressional committees pertaining to major defense sales in compliance with the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and other authorization and appropriation legislation. Develops standard operating procedures (SOP) for Congressional Notification development and processing for DSCA, the Military Departments (MILDEPs) and other organizations. Tracks progression of Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs), amendments, and modifications through the lifecycle to ensure compliance with Congressionally notified levels. Prepares Congressional Notification informational briefings and papers as needed to report and/or assess Congressional Notification activity for DSCA leadership. Participates in pre-counter signature meetings to ensure draft LOAs are in accordance with the CN.