This job announcement has closed

Due to technical difficulties affecting applicants ability to submit applications, this position is being extending for additional 7 days. Applicants who applied to the announcement need NOT reapply.

Learn more about this agency

Help

Reviewing applications

Open & closing dates

08/28/2018 to 09/17/2018
Salary

$168,311 - $178,957 per year
Pay scale & grade

ES 00
Help
Location
- District of Columbia, DC 1 vacancy
Telework eligible

Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required

25% or less - Will be at Agency's Discretion
Relocation expenses reimbursed

Yes—Will be at Agency's Discretion
Appointment type

Permanent
Work schedule

Full-Time
Service

Senior Executive
Promotion potential

00
Job family (Series)
- 0301 Miscellaneous Administration And Program
Supervisory status

Yes
Drug test

No
Announcement number

FSA-SES-2018-0072
Control number

509330800

Help

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Help

This position serves as the Deputy Director for Legislative Liaison, for the Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Mission Area, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management. The FPAC Mission Area is USDA’s focal point for the nation’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners for crop insurance, conservation programs and technical assistance, and commodity lending and disaster programs with over 22,000 employees, nearly $22 billion in budget authority, and 5,000 offices located in all 50 States, American Samoa, Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Coordinates a comprehensive review of new legislation, amendments to pending legislation, amendments to existing laws, and approaches to oversight issues. Develops and maintains congressional contacts needed to further the overall mission and responsibilities of FPAC. Actively participates in FPAC and Departmental policy level discussions of major issues that are addressed in pending legislation or oversight activities of Congress, and makes appropriate delegation of assignments to legislative liaison staff.

Directs, supervises, reviews, delegates, implements and evaluates staff preparation of (1) Departmental legislative proposals related to the FPAC Mission Area, (2) Department reports and testimony setting forth the official administrative position on pending legislation related to the FPAC Mission Area, (3) Departmental reports to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) setting forth the official Departmental position on legislation, reports, and testimony proposed by other Departments and agencies, (4) Draft legislation and related documents prepared at the request of Members of Congress, and (5) Departmental and FPAC responses to congressional questions and correspondence involving proposed or pending legislation or agency activities. In carrying out these responsibilities, assures that all information is accurate, complete, clearly presented, and consistent with Departmental and Agency policies and procedures. Provides final staff clearance of legislative reports, testimony, controlled correspondence, and oversight hearings pertaining to the activities of the FPAC Mission Area prior to review and/or signature of the Deputy COO, COO or Under Secretary.

Provides guidance to FSA, NRCS, and RMA officials who testify before Congress, or have other significant congressional interactions by providing a clear overview of the relationship between the issues at hand and other aspects of the Administration's program.

Oversees the preparation, review, and collection of material for, and briefing of, witnesses, including Departmental and FSA, NRCS, and RMA officials who present congressional testimony, to ensure that they are well informed on the technical, administrative, political, and budgetary aspects of the legislation which they address.

Reviews important policy-level Departmental and Agency memoranda, reports, and correspondence and recommends changes needed to assure consistency with current law or official Departmental and administration positions on pending legislation. Provides guidance and direction related to the timing and distribution of briefing papers, reports, and other information to Congress.

Develops and maintains close working relationships with key staff representing Members of Congress, Congressional committees, conservation organizations, interest groups, and other Federal agencies concerning issues related to legislation and congressional oversight activities affecting the mission and responsibilities of the FPAC Mission Area as appropriate. Keeps the COO, Deputy COO, Director, External Affairs, the heads of FSA, NRCS, and RMA, and other senior level management informed of results of contacts. Recommends and helps to arrange needed follow-up contacts with key staff representing Members of Congress, Congressional committees, conservation organizations, interest groups, and Federal agencies related to legislative and oversight issues. Participates in meetings with Members of Congress, Departmental, and other administrative officials. Develops contact plans to explain and modify FPAC legislative initiatives/activities to gain support for administration programs.

Help

Conditions of Employment

• CONFIDENTIAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT: If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report.
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you may be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report inquiry.

Qualifications

As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible executive leadership and supervisory experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications listed below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector. As such, your resume should demonstrate that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully fulfill responsibilities inherent in most SES positions such as: • Directing the work of an organizational unit; • Ensuring the success of one or more specific major programs or projects; • Monitoring progress toward strategic organizational goals, evaluating organizational performance and taking action to improve performance; and • Supervising the work of employees; and exercising important policy-making, policy determining, or other executive functions.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): The ECQs were designed to assess executive experience and potential not technical expertise. They measure whether an individual has the broad executive skills needed to succeed in a variety of SES positions. All applicants must submit a written narrative to address the ECQs. Your narrative must address each ECQ separately and should contain at least two examples per ECQ describing your experiences and accomplishments/results. The narrative should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishment s, policy Initiatives undertaken and the results of your actions. Applicants should not enter "Refer to Resume" to explain your answer. The narrative must not exceed 10 pages.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): Note: Current career SES members, former career SES members with reinstatement eligibility, and SES Candidate Development Program graduates who have been certified by OPM do NOT need to address the ECQs.

1. Leading Change: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. (Competencies: creativity and innovation, external awareness, flexibility, resilience, strategic thinking, vision)

2. Leading People: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. (Competencies: conflict management, leveraging diversity, developing others, team building)

3. Results Driven: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. (Competencies: accountability, customer service, decisiveness, entrepreneurship, problem solving, technical credibility)

4. Business Acumen: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. (Competencies: financial management, human capital management, technology management)

5. Building Coalitions: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. (Competencies: partnering, political savvy, influencing/negotiating)

Fundamental Competencies: These competencies are the foundation for success in each of the Executive Core Qualifications; Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Continual Learning, Written Communication, Integrity/Honesty, Public Service Motivation. The Fundamental Competencies are crosscutting; and should be addressed over the course of each ECQ narratives. It is not necessary for you to address the Fundamental Competencies directly as long as the narrative, in its totality, shows mastery of these competencies on the whole.

For additional guidance, applicants may visit the OPM Guide to Senior Executive Qualifications. Applicants are encouraged to follow the Challenge, Context, Action and Result (C-C-A-R) model outlined in the guide. The definitions of the SES ECQs and their underlying competencies can be found at: http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.asp.

B. MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): All applicants must submit a written narrative response to the following TQs. You must address each TQ separately. Each TQ narratives must not exceed two (2) pages. Please give examples and explain the complexity of the knowledge possessed and the sensitivity of the issued you handled.

1. The incumbent will have demonstrated in-depth knowledge and experience of farm-related programs in order to lead a multi-mission, highly complex, and sensitive legislative affairs program including review of proposed legislation and coordinating mission area response consistent with Department and Administration policy, both orally and in writing, to various audiences, such as senior government officials, Congressional members and their staff, and external stakeholders.

Education

No educational requirement

Additional information

• This position is eligible for telework and other flexible work arrangements.
• Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
• E-Verify: Federal law requires agencies to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. If you are selected as a newly hired employee, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS 'E-VERIFY' system. Under the system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.

Help
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.

The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package. Explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees at: http://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/enrollment/new-federal-employee-enrollment/

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.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education (if applicable). Your application will be rated and ranked by an Executive Resources Board (ERB) Panel, using only the information submitted within the application package. Applicants who do not demonstrate in their application sufficient possession of the ECQs & MTQs will be determined ineligible for further consideration.
To view the application form, visit: https://ses.usda.ntis.gov/cp/?event=jobs.previewApplication&jobid=3A93B180-9B32-4BDF-A32F-A93700AAE9B8

Help
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.

The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package. Explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees at: http://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/enrollment/new-federal-employee-enrollment/

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.
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.

Your resume should contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements as stated in this vacancy announcement. It is recommended that you include the following information:

Full name, mailing address, and day and evening telephone numbers
Educational information, including the name, city and state of colleges or universities you attended, as well as the type and year of any degrees received
Information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including:

Job title (include series and grade if Federal job)
Duties and accomplishments
Employers name and address
Supervisors name and phone number
Starting and ending dates of employment (month and year)
Salary
Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor
Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments

Current career SES Members and former SES Members who have reinstatement eligibility to the career SES should submit a SF-50 showing career SES status;

OPM-Certified SES Candidate Development Program graduates should submit a copy of their Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certificate.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin. Failure to submit the required documentation by 11:59 pm EST of the closing date will result in loss of consideration.

The following instructions outline our application process.

You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday). Applying online is highly encouraged. If applying online poses a hardship, please contact our office during business hours well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages with supporting documents must be submitted no later than noon on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact us if you are requesting this.

Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not have one) at www.usajobs.gov. It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic email notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application.

Step 2: Create a resume with USAJOBS or upload a resume into your USAJOBS account. Customize your resume to ensure it documents duties and accomplishments you have gained that are directly related to this position in order to verify that qualifications are met. Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire (you may preview the online questionnaire by clicking on the link at the end of the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement).

Step 3: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the Occupational Questionnaire and attach any additional documents that may be required.
You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application” to continue.
NOTE: Verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system. Once in the Agency's staffing system you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX).

Agency contact information

Cynthia Lewis

Phone

202 260-8781

Fax

000-000-0000

Email

Cynthia.Lewis@dm.usda.gov

Address

USDA/ERMC
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC, 20250
USA

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Applicants who meet the mandatory requirements in items A (Executive Core Qualifications), and B (Mandatory Technical Qualifications) above will be considered qualified for this position. Rating and ranking to determine the best qualified will be conducted by a panel of senior executives and will be based upon consideration of the degree to which applicants meet the mandatory requirements as described in the announcement.

The Executive Core Qualifications of the selectee are subject to prior approval by the Office of Personnel Management Qualifications Review Board (QRB). Unless you have already been certified by an OPM QRB in the past, your ECQs must be certified by an OPM QRB before your appointment can occur. When reviewing Executive Core Qualifications Statements, the QRB is looking for experience as well as specific challenges, actions, and results.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Help

Your resume should contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements as stated in this vacancy announcement. It is recommended that you include the following information:

Full name, mailing address, and day and evening telephone numbers
Educational information, including the name, city and state of colleges or universities you attended, as well as the type and year of any degrees received
Information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including:

Job title (include series and grade if Federal job)
Duties and accomplishments
Employers name and address
Supervisors name and phone number
Starting and ending dates of employment (month and year)
Salary
Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor
Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments

Current career SES Members and former SES Members who have reinstatement eligibility to the career SES should submit a SF-50 showing career SES status;

OPM-Certified SES Candidate Development Program graduates should submit a copy of their Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certificate.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Help

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin. Failure to submit the required documentation by 11:59 pm EST of the closing date will result in loss of consideration.

The following instructions outline our application process.

You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday). Applying online is highly encouraged. If applying online poses a hardship, please contact our office during business hours well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages with supporting documents must be submitted no later than noon on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact us if you are requesting this.

Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not have one) at www.usajobs.gov. It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic email notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application.

Step 2: Create a resume with USAJOBS or upload a resume into your USAJOBS account. Customize your resume to ensure it documents duties and accomplishments you have gained that are directly related to this position in order to verify that qualifications are met. Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire (you may preview the online questionnaire by clicking on the link at the end of the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement).

Step 3: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the Occupational Questionnaire and attach any additional documents that may be required.
You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application” to continue.
NOTE: Verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system. Once in the Agency's staffing system you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX).

Agency contact information

Cynthia Lewis

Phone: 202 260-8781
Fax: 000-000-0000
Email: Cynthia.Lewis@dm.usda.gov
Address: USDA/ERMC
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC, 20250
USA

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Applicants who meet the mandatory requirements in items A (Executive Core Qualifications), and B (Mandatory Technical Qualifications) above will be considered qualified for this position. Rating and ranking to determine the best qualified will be conducted by a panel of senior executives and will be based upon consideration of the degree to which applicants meet the mandatory requirements as described in the announcement.

The Executive Core Qualifications of the selectee are subject to prior approval by the Office of Personnel Management Qualifications Review Board (QRB). Unless you have already been certified by an OPM QRB in the past, your ECQs must be certified by an OPM QRB before your appointment can occur. When reviewing Executive Core Qualifications Statements, the QRB is looking for experience as well as specific challenges, actions, and results.

Deputy Director For Legislative Liaison

Summary

Overview

Open & closing dates

Salary

Pay scale & grade

Location

Telework eligible

Travel Required

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Appointment type

Work schedule

Service

Promotion potential

Job family (Series)

Supervisory status

Drug test

Announcement number

Control number

This job is open to

Duties

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Qualifications

Education

Additional information

How You Will Be Evaluated

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Agency contact information

Next steps

Required Documents

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

How to Apply

Agency contact information

Next steps

Fair & Transparent