Department: Department Of Homeland Security
Agency: Customs and Border Protection
Job Announcement Number:
WAS-181761-MH

Congressional Liaison Officer
Salary Range: 98,033.00 - 127,442.00 USD per year
Open Period: Thursday, March 27, 2008
to Thursday, April 10, 2008
Series & Grade: GS-0301-14
Position Information: Full Time Career/Career Conditional
Promotion Potential: 14
Duty Locations: 1 vacancy - Washington, DC
Who May Be Considered:
Status Candidates (Merit Promotion Eligibles)
Job Summary:

CBP: Securing America's Borders

Whether on the frontlines or serving behind the scenes supporting our mission, the men and women of CBP are dedicated to keeping America safe. CBP counts on them. Our Nation counts on them. Can we count on you?

CBP Mission Statement: We are the guardians of our nation's borders. We are America's frontline. We safeguard the American homeland at and beyond our borders. We protect the American public against terrorists and the instruments of terror. We steadfastly enforce the laws of the United States while fostering our nation's economic security through lawful international trade and travel. We serve the American public with vigilance, integrity, and professionalism.

Discover a challenging and rewarding career in CBP, the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders. As part of our carefully selected, highly trained team, you'll leverage state-of-the art technology, innovative strategies and world-wide partnerships to protect our communities and defend our frontier.

At U.S. Customs and Border Protection, we:
Screen passengers, vehicles, and shipments entering our country
Seize illegal narcotics, vehicles, and agricultural products
Prevent unauthorized entry into the country
Rescue individuals who fall into dangerous conditions traversing our border

For more information about CBP's mission, activities, and careers, visit our web site, www.cbp.gov.

Who May Apply: Applications will be accepted from Current Department of Homeland Security employees with competitive status.

Current and former Department of Homeland Security employees who meet the established criteria in an Office of Personnel Management Interchange Agreement.

Organizational Location: This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, Office of Congressional Affairs, Washington, DC.

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses WILL NOT be paid.

Note: One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy announcement.

Key Requirements:
U.S. Citizenship
Background Security Investigation
Residency Requirement
Travel

Major Duties:

You will provide assistance to the Office of the Assistant Commissioner and staff members by planning, directing, and coordinating congressional liaison activities. You will develop and maintain a continuing awareness of the philosophies, mission, special interests and areas of concern for the Office of Congressional Affairs/Relations. You will also serve as a link between the agency and Congress. You will insure that close and harmonious relationships are established for an effective interchange of information between Congress and the agency. You will maintain a comprehensive knowledge of all agency programs and activities. You will develop and maintain effective working relationships with other key program officials to remain thoroughly conversant with operational needs of the programs. You will also maintain awareness of potential problems of a politically sensitive nature, areas of special or urgent congressional interest, and any developments of unusual magnitude. Additionally, you will conduct special briefings for Congressional leaders, Congressional Committees and their staffs and individual Congressmen concerning matters, as necessary, in order to promote favorable consideration of legislative needs including oral briefings, statistical and narrative information, specific response to inquiries, and reports based on studies and various guidelines.

You will also develop plans, policies, and procedures governing relationships with Members of Congress and determine the nature of action required to affect improvements and mutually beneficial changes. You will advise management of the extent and type of participation in activities with Members of Congress, type of information to be presented, and the most suitable method of presentation. You will keep informed of Congressional hearing agenda and matters requiring special attention. You will attend hearings considered to be of paramount importance to the agency/DHS. You will review and comment on drafts of legislation, testimony, and correspondence. Upon request from Congress, you will conduct studies, prepare reports, and make related recommendations to the Assistant Commissioner and Deputy Assistant Commissioner regarding agency/DHS programs, i.e., international trade matters, the interdiction of dangerous drugs and other contraband, major governmental reorganizations, agency appropriations etc. In addition, you will informally and officially discuss information resulting from contacts with Congress and agency/DHS headquarters executive staff.

You will manage the preparation of reports, statistical backup and other information, which will provide solid justification to Congress in the advocacy of the agency and Departmental goals and views. You will make recommendations as to the desirability of making organizational changes in light of Congressional interest.

Qualifications:

GS-14: You qualify at the GS-14 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. This experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level. Examples include conducting special briefings for Members of Congress, Congressional Committees and their staffs; preparing or coordinating the preparation of reports, statistical back up and other information for submission to Congress; ensuring that Members of Congress and their staffs are provided with clear and concise analysis and interpretation of new and revised programs administered by the agency/DHS; and planning, directing and coordinating congressional liaison activities.

Selective Placement Factor: To be fully qualified, applicants must have the following experience in addition to the qualification requirements listed above: Three years of professional work experience (in a Congressional or government relations office) analyzing Congressional relations and issues in border enforcement, trade, immigration, and/or appropriations.

Education requirements:

There are no education requirements for this position.

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship: Candidates must be United States citizens and present proof of citizenship, if selected.

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. During the three years prior to applying for this position, you must have: physically resided in the United States or its protectorates or territories (excluding short trips abroad, such as vacations); worked for the U.S. Government as an employee overseas in a Federal or military capacity; and/or been a dependent of a U.S. Federal or military employee serving overseas.

Exceptions may be granted to applicants if they can provide complete state-side coverage information required to make a suitability/security determination. Examples of state-side coverage information include: the state-side address of the company headquarters where the applicant’s personnel file is located, the state-side address of the Professor in charge of the applicant’s “Study Abroad” program, the church records for the applicant’s overseas church missions, and/or the state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with the applicant while overseas. Applicants must provide this information when filing their application for employment.

Time in Grade: Time in grade restrictions must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants must have at least 52 weeks of service equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position to be filled.

Qualifications by Closing Date: You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Please note that qualification claims will be subject to verification.

Background Security Investigation: You will need to successfully complete a background investigation before you can be appointed into this position.

Travel: You will be required to travel occasionally.

How You Will Be Evaluated:

Evaluations

You will be evaluated based upon the responses you provide on the job specific questionnaire that is required as part of the application process for this position. You will be rated based on your responses and assigned a score ranging from 70 to 100 points. Candidates will be referred for selection in accordance with the terms of the agency merit promotion plan.

All the information you provide may be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application forms, by checking references and through other means, such as the interview process. This verification could occur at any stage of the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible, not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work.

Benefits:

Benefits

The Federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. These benefits include, but are not limited to: health care, life insurance, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, annual and sick leave, long-term care insurance, and retirement savings plans, and transit subsidies. For more information about these benefits, please visit http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.asp

Other Information:

Other Information

Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position. For those instances where the best qualified lists include applicants with scores less than 85, the well-qualified score becomes the lowest score on the best qualified list. CTAP and ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) or equivalent that documents separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.

If you are filing under the VEOA (Veterans Employment Opportunity Act) or the VRA (Veterans Recruitment Authority), you must include in your application package a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received. For more information on the VEOA and VRA, consult the Vets Guide at: http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.htm

Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

If this is a supervisory position, under provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act, first time supervisors and/or managers will be required to serve an eighteen month probationary period. You may also be required to complete an appropriate supervisory training course within the one year of assignment to this position.

You must submit all required information by the closing date. If materials are not received, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide an email address, you will not be notified of the outcome of your application.

All agency employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be considered regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, protected genetic information, status as a parent, lawful political affiliation, marital status, physical/mental disability (if not a job factor), membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or any other nonmerit factor.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Human Resources Office Representative listed on this announcement. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Important! All the information you provide may be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application forms, by checking references and through other means, such as the interview process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you after you begin work.

How To Apply:

You must complete an application package that includes an assessment questionnaire, resume, and any applicable supporting documentation.
You will be required to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload your documentation in the newly created Application Manager. Initially, the Application Manager requires you to create an account. Once your account is created, Application Manager provides a site where you can track the status of jobs you have applied to at Customs and Border Protection; uploaded documentation; view/print copies of notification letters; or print a copy of your questionnaire.
Application Manager has a navigation box that appears on the left side of the screen whenever you are working on an Application Package. The items listed in the navigation box are pages you need to visit, and represent steps you need to complete, in order for your Application Package to reach the status of Complete.
You can "Save" an incomplete application and return to finish the process at a later date provided the announcement has not closed. You must submit your application package (your assessment questionnaire and documentation) before the closing date posted on the vacancy announcement.
Note: If you start a questionnaire please complete it in its entirety before "Submitting." An incomplete questionnaire will affect your rating or may result in your application being rated ineligible. You may complete the assessment questionnaire more than once, but your rating will be based on the most recent submission.
Instructional guidance listed below:
To Start A New Assessment Questionnaire:
Click the Apply Online button.
Create an account and complete the Assessment Questionnaire.
If you already have an account, log in with your User ID and Password to complete the Assessment Questionnaire.

To Save An Incomplete Assessment Questionnaire:
Scroll to the top or bottom of the page
Click the "Save" button. When the page refreshes, click the "Logout" button.

To Return To A Saved/Incomplete Assessment Questionnaire:
Click this link to Return To Application Manager:

https://applicationmanager.org/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fhome.aspx
Log into your account and locate the vacancy on the "My Application Packages" page.
Click on the six digit Vacancy ID number of the application that you want to complete. The page will refresh and display your Application Package Status.
Select the "Complete Application Package" button, which will take you to the assessment questionnaire. As you complete each page of the questionnaire click the "Next" button.
Once you have completed the assessment questionnaire the "Upload Documents" page will display. Follow the procedures outlined on the upload documents page. You will receive an "Upload Successful" acknowledgement each time you attach a document file. Once you have uploaded all of your documentation and the file is displayed in the table, select the "Next" button.
Click the "Submit My Answers" button to complete the application package. You will receive a confirmation that your submission was successful. You have the option to view or print a copy of your assessment questionnaire and responses by clicking the View/Print My Answers link.

To Fax a Resume or Supporting Documents:

If you previously uploaded documents to this vacancy, please do not FAX the same documents. If you need to fax a part of your documentation:
Click on the link below to obtain the special application cover page. http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf
Make sure that you include the 8-character vacancy identification number HS181761, Provide your SSN, name, and; address in the blocks provided or we will not be able to associate your document(s) with the rest of your application. Print your SSN and Name neatly using the exact name as the one used when you filled out the assessment questionnaire. The fax number is 1-478-757- 3144.

Required Documents:

Required Documents

In addition to completing an on-line questionnaire and submitting an on-line resume, the following supporting documents must be received by the closing date of this announcement.

Veterans' documentation if filing under VEOA, VRA or claiming veterans' preference (e.g., DD-214 or statement of service, VA letter, SF-15). If you are filing under the VEOA (Veterans Employment Opportunity Act) or the VRA (Veterans Recruitment Authority), you must include in your application package a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received. For more information on the VEOA and VRA, consult the Vets Guide at: http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp

Transcripts if basing your qualifications on education. This education must be from an institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Proof of Eligibility if applying for consideration under a priority selection program (e.g., CTAP/ICTAP) or a special appointing authority. Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position. For those instances where the best qualified lists include applicants with scores less than 85, the well-qualified score becomes the lowest score on the best qualified list. CTAP and ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) or equivalent that documents separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.

Proof of Eligibility if applying for consideration under the Office of Personnel Management Interchange Agreement. Individuals requesting consideration under the Office of Personnel Management Interchange Agreement must submit proof of eligibility such as a Notice of Personnel Action, a separation notice, or other appropriate documentation.

Your application and all supporting documentation must be received by 12:00 midnight (Eastern Time) on the closing date. Note that you will be allowed to apply more than once but the last application is the only one that will be used.

Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail. If you are unable to apply on-line, contact the Human Resources Office representative listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions.

Contact Information:
Maria Henderson
Phone: (202)863-6238
Email: Maria.Henderson@dhs.gov
Or write:
Washington Service Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
HRM 1400 L Street NW 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20229

What To Expect Next:

What to Expect Next:
We expect to make a selection within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted.

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Send Mail to:
Washington Service Center
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
HRM 1400 L Street NW 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20229
For questions about this job:
Maria Henderson
Phone: (202)863-6238
Email: Maria.Henderson@dhs.gov