LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

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. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes mastery of the application of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of program effectiveness or the improvement of complex management processes and systems. As well, preparing recommendations for legislation to change the way programs are carried out; in evaluating the content of new or modified legislation for projected impact upon agency programs and resources; and/or in translating basic legislation into program goals, actions, and services. 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-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 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: 1. Comprehensive knowledge of a wide range of established concepts, principles and practices as they relate to governmental affairs and legislative affairs specialist efforts at the local, state and federal levels, gained through experience and skill in applying this knowledge to difficult and complex assignments. 2. Extensive knowledge of the protocol and procedures that apply in dealing with executive and legislative branch principles and staff members to respond to local, state, and federal government requests efficiently and effectively for information and constituent inquiries and complaints. 3. Knowledge of the workings and procedures of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives and all state and local government executive agencies impacting the AU mission. 4. Knowledge of the AU mission and organization (including structure, chain of command, functions, personnel policies, interactions, etc) to facilitate rapid and accurate staffing of cases and response management to Congressional inquiries and other requests. 5. Skill managing/analyzing inquiries and requests for legislative and executive member/staff visits to AU organizations, reviewing previous history, and tasking appropriate AU HQ Staff and subordinate organizations, to ensure correct and timely information is provided. 6. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, using a high degree of tact and diplomacy, to prepare and present surveys, reports, proposals, and press releases and gain cooperation to achieve stated positions or to make an adequate case for a particular strategy which may not be readily accepted, but which is the best solution to achieve overall AU goals. 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.
Click on “Learn more about this agency” button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the principal Legislative Affairs Specialist for Air University (AU). Incumbent provides legislative policy advice, guidance, and recommendations on all Congressional issues affecting Air Force air, space, and cyberspace training, education, and force development, directly to the AU Commander.