Congressional Affairs Specialist

This vacancy is for a Congressional Affairs Specialist in the Legislative Affairs Division (LIAD), Office of External Affairs and Communications (OEAC) Economic Development Administration within the Department of Commerce. The incumbent will perform a variety of duties for LIAD, performing with increasing independence to ensure expeditious action on legislative and open communication between EDA, the U.S Congress, and state and local governments.

As a Congressional Affairs Specialist, you will perform the following duties: Serves as principal advisor to EDA senior leadership on all congressional and intergovernmental matters, providing authoritative guidance on legislative processes, stakeholder perspectives, and policy implications. Acts as the primary point of contact for EDA with Members of Congress, congressional committees, Governors, Mayors, State Legislators, local officials, and intergovernmental organizations, independently managing all relationships. Leads and executes all grants-related legislative functions, including congressional notifications, controlled correspondence, advanced notifications, and complex legislative tracking and analysis. Independently receives, evaluates, and responds to inquiries and casework, resolving complex and politically sensitive issues without supervision and ensuring EDA's positions are accurately represented. Ensures seamless, proactive information exchange between EDA and Congress or intergovernmental entities, providing clear interpretation of EDA programs, actions, and policy impacts. Establishes, sustains, and leads liaison networks with Intergovernmental Affairs constituents and Congressional Offices and Committees, independently conducting briefings, attending meetings, advising committees, coordinating information exchange, and representing EDA authoritatively. Attends, analyzes, and reports on hearings, preparing complex briefings and providing expert, timely information to congressional offices and committee staff for hearings, legislation, and markups. This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Congressional Affairs Specialist GS-0301-13, positions within the Department of Commerce in the same geographical location or local commuting area with the same qualifications and specialized experience. This position is also advertised under EDA-OEA-ST-26-13022902, which is open to Merit Promotion/Direct Hire/Delegated Examining eligible applicants. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. A probationary period may be required. Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/). If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. Bargaining Unit Position: No Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): No Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: will not be paid License required: No Drug Test Required: No Pre-employment physical required: No