External Affairs Specialist (Legislative & Media) (De)

Summary
Are you interested in a rewarding and challenging career? SBA OIG provides auditing, investigative, and other high-quality services to support and assist the SBA in achieving its mission. We promote open and honest communication to create a positive work environment. The Partnership for Public Service named SBA OIG as being the #1 OIG in the Federal Government and as being among the Top 5 Federal Agency Subcomponents in the 2022 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings!
This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency
This position is open to the public.
Duties

• Coordinates with division staff to formulate organization-wide policies and procedures to improve the operations of the OIG.
• Ensures the IG and other Executive Staff are prepared to participate in a variety of forums and panels for high-interest councils, committees, and task forces, such as the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE).
• Develops, analyzes, and prepares revisions to OIG policies, procedures, and practices required to implement new requirements and adapt to other changes impacting the OIG.
• Works independently with stakeholders to ensure communication is consistent and reflects OIG's strategic mission.
• Researches, drafts, and coordinates congressional testimony, statements for the record, briefing books, and discussion points to ensure that the OIG executives are fully knowledgeable of key issues and events and are prepared to represent OIG's interest and policy.
• Provides a full range of legislative and External Affairs services coordinating the management of legislative and External Affairs operations to ensure that requests for assistance from clients and stakeholders are responded to timely, accurately, and effectively.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• You must successfully complete a background investigation. Candidates who do not respond to the background investigation request by the pre-determined due date, will be disqualified.
• You may be required to serve on a one-year probationary period.
• Candidates who are determined to be qualified for this position, must complete an additional online assessment through Talent Plus. You must complete the Talent Plus Assessment within 48 business hours of being sent the email notification.

Qualifications
In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient evidence of experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the duties of the position. Therefore, we encourage you to submit a thorough resume that directly relates to this position.
GS-14: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service, obtained in either the private or public sector such as: organizes communication outreach efforts agency-wide; serving as a congressional and media relations advisor, to include compliance with congressional reporting and public website posting mandates; serving as a policy advisor charged with analyzing and evaluating complex issues to identify and develop policy solutions with organizational impact; coordinating with the Outreach and Policy Advisor and agency heads to formulate organization-wide policies and procedures to improve the operations of the office; performing a wide range of ongoing sensitive assignments, to include conducting complex special inquiries, projects and investigations; preparing and coordinating internal publications and special projects aimed at promoting internal communication and awareness to achieve the agency's strategic goals; analyzing and evaluating program needs to advise officials of risks and internal control needs; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships internally and externally to advance the operational needs of a Presidentially-appointed Senate-confirmed official, or similar experience.
Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions.
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.
This position is also announced under vacancy number ST-12322488-24-AP, which is open to Status Candidates. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.
All qualification requirements must be met by 11:59 pm (Eastern Time) on 03/20/2024.
Education
For this position you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone no substitution of education for experience is permitted.
Additional information
SUITABILITY, CLEARANCE & REQUIREMENTS: A background investigation may be required for all new hires. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
SELECTIVE SERVICE: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. For additional information visit www.sss.gov.
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: You are required to file a new entrant Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 450 Report).
Career and InterAgency Career Transition Assistance Programs:If you are applying for a special selection priority under SBA's Career Transition Assistance Plan (open to surplus SBA employees only) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (open to surplus and displaced Federal employees), you must: meet CTAP eligibility criteria, be rated well-qualified for the position with a rating of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above, and submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility. Click here for more information.
Telework is available. For information on Telework visit: http://www.telework.gov/
Additional vacancies may be filled from this vacancy announcement if additional vacancies occur within 180 days of the date the certificates were issued.

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Review our benefits
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials, the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessment required for this position (if you are determined qualified after initial review). To preview this questionnaire, click on the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12337552. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Administration and Management
• Oral Communication
• Partnering
• Planning and Evaluating
• Writing

Your application will be evaluated under the Category Rating method based on your responses to the assessment questions. You will receive a score based on the responses to the assessment questions. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. If you meet basic requirements for the position, your application will be evaluated and placed into one of three categories:
1. Best-Qualified: highly proficient with an overall comprehensive level of knowledge, skills and abilities related to the job based on a complete review of experience, education, and training as described in an applicant's responses to the assessment questions and resume.
2. Well-Qualified: competent in the position with an overall accomplished level of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the job based on a complete review of experience, training, and education as applicable, as described in an applicant's responses to the assessment questions and resume.
3. Qualified: an overall basic level of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the job based on a complete review of experience, education, and training, as described in an applicant's responses to the assessment questions and resume.
Candidates eligible for veterans preference will be placed ahead of other candidates in the appropriate category for which they have been rated. Additionally, preference eligibles who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent and who meet Minimum Qualification Requirements will automatically be placed in the Best Qualified Category.
In addition to the application and Occupational Questionnaire, this position requires submission of an Talent Plus Online Assessment by all candidates determined to be qualified. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the online assessment (if forwarded to you). In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Review our benefits
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
  1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
  2. A complete Occupational Questionnaire
  3. A complete Talent Plus Assessment, if required after initial qualification determination
  4. In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the occupational questionnaire), you are required to submit the following forms, if applicable. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all documents are legible:
  
  • If you are using education as a substitution for experience (the announcement will state whether this is allowed), or if there is an educational requirement for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcripts (unofficial or official) that clearly describes your qualifying education. If selected, official transcripts will be required;
  • If you are claiming Veteran status, you must submit a copy of all required documents to support your claim (showing character of service)see VetGuide;
  • Veterans who are still in the service may be granted tentative preference on the basis of information contained in their applications, but they must produce a DD-214 (showing the character of service) or other proof of service to receive consideration for veterans' preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit FedsHireVets.gov.
  • For proof of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must provide documentation from each of the following three categories:
  • 1. One of the following:
  • Your Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice;
  • Your RIF notice offering a lower graded position accompanied by a declination of the offer (the RIF notice must state that declination will result in separation under RIF);
  • Notice of proposed removal for declining a directed geographic relocation outside the local commuting area (e.g., a directed reassignment or change in duty station);
  • Certificate of expected separation; or
  • Other official agency certification or notification indicating that your position is surplus (e.g., a notice of position abolishment or a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement).
  • 2. Your Notification of Personnel Action(s), SF-50(s), or other official documentation that shows:
  • a. You are a current:
    
    • i. career or career-conditional competitive service employee, in tenure group 1 or 2, at grade GS-15 or equivalent and below; or
    • ii. excepted service employee serving without time limit at grade GS-15 or equivalent and below who has been conferred noncompetitive appointment eligibility and selection priority by law for competitive service positions; and
  • b. The position you may be or are being separated from:
    
    • i. Is equal to or higher than the grade of the job anno...