CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS SPECIALIST -- USFWS SACRAMENTO, CA -- 1 POSITION
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/455346700/

SUMMARY

This position is in the External Affairs Office of the Pacific Southwest Region (Region 8) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), located in Sacramento, California. In this position, you will serve as a Congressional Affairs Specialist focusing on legislative communications to inform the public, members of Congress and other interest groups about the Service's policies, programs, activities, decisions and services. You will regularly communicate and interact with high level management officials at both local and national levels such as members of Congress, legislation executives, etc. to analyze, develop and execute communication strategies for Service policies or programs.

NOTE: This position is also being announced under merit promotion procedures, open to current and former federal employees. See vacancy R8-17-1838567-KL-MP if you want to be considered under merit promotion procedures.


DUTIES

Develop and lead a proactive, region-wide Congressional relations strategy that continuously provides information to Members of Congress and their staffs through coordination with leadership and field units, and through quality information products.

Develop and disseminate information materials including, but not limited to briefing papers, fact sheets, speeches, news releases, feature stories, email blasts, social media messaging, etc., about Service programs and activities. Identify communication objectives, messages, audiences and appropriate media, and develops information materials to fill those needs.

Develop coordinated responses to congressional and legislative queries. Develop background information, talking points, testimony and other materials to support Regional Directorate and field units in meeting with the Congressional delegations and state legislators, and appearing before committees. Coordinate regional legislative activities with Service's headquarters Legislative Affairs.

Plan and staff outreach activities, including on-the-ground tours, for the public, Members of Congress and their staffs, and other diverse audiences to explain and/or exchange information regarding complex wildlife conservation issues.

Lead and work with internal Service staff at field units and at the highest levels to develop background information, recommendations and strategies in response to federal and state legislation impacting the Service. Coordinate all Congressional inquiries and their responses, and write and edit weekly hot topics to inform leadership across the Service of key Congressional issues.

Develop and prepare written materials, including legislative summaries and position papers, reports and memoranda in support of Service outreach strategies, budget requests, or analysis concerning appropriations or policies.

Plan, develop and implement liaison programs to ensure effective and harmonious relations are maintained with Members of Congress, federal state and local governments, elected officials, trade associations, industry groups and the general public.


QUALIFICATIONS

You must meet all qualification requirements outlined in this vacancy by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.

To be found qualified at the GS-13 grade level, your application materials must demonstrate that you have at least one year of full-time specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, or equivalent non-federal experience, that demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities to plan and implement a public information program focusing on Congressional relations for a large multi-mission natural resources organization. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: 1) at least one year direct, full-time experience managing Congressional relations for a natural resource agency; 2) developing and finalizing formal communication outreach strategies and products for a natural resource organization to distribute complex information to congressional or legislative contacts; 3) establishing and maintaining liaison as a member of a natural resources organization with Congressional staff and similar stakeholders regarding the impact of proposed or pending legislation on operational or budgetary matters; 4) evaluating public reactions/opinions to information releases and advising program officials on needed modifications to the content or presentation of informational materials needed to influence legislative or Congressional actions. NOTE: your resume must contain sufficient detail to prove you have one year experience performing these duties.