LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Duties

The primary purpose of this position is: Provides legislative policy advice, guidance, and recommendations on all legislative issues affecting any homeland defense and civil support capability to the Commander of NORAD and USNORTHCOM.

• Serves as a senior legislative affairs specialist in advancing NORAD and USNORTHCOM objectives on Capitol Hill.
• Analyzes complex Congressional language in bills and committee reports in order to identify potential impact to
  NORAD and USNORTHCOM, and subordinate commands.
• Fully shares with the Director of Confirmation Hearing team of 200+ officers, DOD civilians, and contractors in support of Commander of NORAD and USNORTHCOM confirmation testimony to Congress Commander of NORAD and USNORTHCOM for his/her Senate confirmation hearing.
• Coordinates Congressional visits, to include analyzing visit requirements to determine appropriate briefings, tours, and meetings; tasking NORAD, USNORTHCOM, AFNORTH, ARNORTH, MARFORNORTH, NAVNORTH, JTF-NCR, JTF-CS, and JTF-N staffs to provide the same; and making recommendations on office calls with the Commander of NORAD and USNORTHCOM, as well as other Command senior leadership.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume
• Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position
• Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position
• Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• This position has been designated as Special Sensitive. The employee is required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance as a condition of employment.
• This is a centrally managed position in the operations career field.

Qualifications

Conditions of Employment (cont.)

• Overtime work is required during the week and weekends during high intensity work periods in support of Congressional testimony prep and to support Congressional visits. On-call status is regularly required for quick consultation and resolution of time-sensitive Congressional issues. Quick access during non-duty hours via government issued cellphone is required. May be required to travel by regularly scheduled passenger military or commercial aircraft in performance of TDY.
• This is a KEY position IAW 32 CFR, Part 44 Appendix A and DoD Directive 1200.7. A Key Position is a Federal position that cannot be vacated during a war, national emergency, or mobilization without seriously impairing the capability of the parent Federal Agency to function effectively. This position must be removed from the Ready Reserve and CAN NOT become a member of the Ready Reserve.
  agree to this condition shall not be extended an offer of employment.
• This position is designated by the Air Force as a Test Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. As a mandatory requirement for employment in this TDP, the incumbent is (A) to refrain from use of illegal drugs and (B) if required, to submit to urinalysis testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive position presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety. The selectee must sign a statement acknowledging the position occupied is identified as a TDP.
• IAW DoDI 3020-42 this position has been locally, or command designated as Mission Essential (ME); needed to ensure the continued operation of mission essential functions of the activity. Mission Essential personnel may be required to report for duty at normal times when the base is closed or delayed reporting and remain on duty during phased or early release. This position is Non-Combat Essential (NCE) IAW Section 1580 of title 10, USC, and DOES NOT provide civilian support to combat operations. Duties of this position are to provide support for expeditionary requirements and could be deployed to support emergency operations, humanitarian missions, disaster relief or other expeditionary missions in the suitability requirements of the positions as outlined in DD Form 3207 and sign the DD Form 2365 as a condition of employment.
• May be required to perform Battle Roster functions during Exercises and Real-World events. Battle Roster functions may include but are not limited to the Joint Operations Center (JOC), Future Operations Center (FOC), Future Plans Center (FPC), Joint Logistics Operations Center (JLOC), N&NC Deployment and Distribution Operations Center (NDDOC), Joint Intelligence Operations Center-North (JIOC-N), Joint Cyber Center (JCC), and other tasks as assigned. These duties may require additional duty hours and/or a physical/medical assessment to deploy to alternate duty locations (non-combat) or in place. The physical/medical assessment is not a pre-employment requirement.

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions, Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series 0301.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-13, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes understanding of the roles and relationships between the Legislative and Executive branches of the U.S. Government. Knowledge of Capitol Hill, Congressional procedures, and associated committee structure for authorizing and appropriating the Defense Budget. Skill in using computer software to research legislative status of Command programs and to build and maintain data bases to track such status. Expert knowledge of the process within DOD for interacting with Congress, beginning with submission of the President's Budget and carrying through to consideration by the various committees. Understanding of the roles of military services, National Guard Bureau, Reserve Forces, combatant commanders, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the Executive Office of the President in submitting the budget and reacting to Congressional changes thereto through the appeal process.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-13 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-14 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Legal, Government and Jurisprudence: Knowledge of the legislative process including the roles and relationships between the Legislative and Executive branches of the U.S. Government, protocol, processes and procedures of Congress including the authorization/appropriations processes.
• Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
• Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities, and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization in a global environment. Capitalizes on opportunities and manages risks. Influencing/Negotiating: Persuades others; builds consensus through give and take; gains cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals. Organizational Awareness: Knowledge of DOD combatant commands and military services missions, functions, organizational structure, and lines of authority as well as relationships with Office of the Secretary of Department of Defense, Joint Staff in order to enhance overall program effectiveness through legislative efforts and Congressional relations techniques.
• Planning and Evaluating: Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or
  long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to
  accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes. Writing: Recognizes and uses precisely correct English grammar and punctuation; communicates information in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information which includes technical material in manner that is appropriate for the intended audience such as responses to Congressional requests for information or Congressional briefing materials.
• Analytical/Reasoning: Ability to effectively synthesize and analyze highly complex and voluminous materials making correct inferences, drawing accurate conclusions and organizing issues in coherent products specifically designed to
  influence decision-making.

Education

Qualifications (cont.)

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click . To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected, and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click .

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click .