Public Affairs Specialist (Congressional Affairs Officer) (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Summary

This position is located in the Office of External Affairs, United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Maritime Administration (MARAD). Mission Statement: To educate and graduate leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces.

Duties

• The Public Affairs Specialist (Congressional Affairs Officer), you will: Serve as a primary point of contact for government officials, senior stakeholders, and institutional partners, coordinating briefings, engagements, correspondence, and leadership interactions. Support and manage advisory bodies or committees, including preparing agendas, coordinating participation, documenting meetings, and ensuring compliance with applicable policies or regulatory frameworks. Manage the lifecycle of external gifts, partnerships, or support agreements, including intake, coordination with legal and finance offices, documentation, valuation, and stewardship activities. Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and internal policies for external engagement, advisory operations, and partnership or gifts management. Prepare executive-level briefings, reports, and communication materials for senior leadership related to external affairs, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate for this position is an external affair professional with strong experience in high-level stakeholder engagement, executive communications, and public-facing programs. The individual demonstrates sound judgment in complex, high-visibility environments and regularly coordinates with senior leaders and cross-functional partners. Experience with congressional relations, advisory bodies, compliance programs, or institutional advancement is highly desirable. Public affairs experience is a huge plus.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience serving as a lead or senior representative for an organization in engagements with government officials, elected leaders, senior executives, or other high-level stakeholders; preparing briefings, talking points, or formal correspondence. Experience coordinating responses or engagements across internal leadership and subject matter experts. 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: Partnering: Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals. Administration & Management: Knowledge of planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production. Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. For all types of consideration, 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. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Requirements

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. See other information for additional instructions. DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

Grade: GS 13. Permanent, Full Time. Telework eligible. Apply by 2026-11-12 on USAJOBS.