This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/554680800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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Summary
USCIRF is actively seeking a Congressional Relations and Outreach Specialist who will assist USCIRF in implementing strategies to advance policy recommendations and raise awareness of religious freedom conditions globally. The Congressional Relations and Outreach Specialist will report directly to the Senior Congressional and Outreach Specialist.
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Overview
- Job closed
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Open & closing dates
12/17/2019 to 01/10/2020
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Salary
$50,000 - $70,000 per year
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Pay scale & grade
AD 00
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Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
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Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
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Travel Required
Occasional travel - The job may require travel from time- to-time, but not on a regular basis. The travel may be for training or other work-related duties.
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Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
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Appointment type
Permanent - Direct Hire
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Work schedule
Full-Time
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Service
Excepted
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Promotion potential
None
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Job family (Series)
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Supervisory status
No
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Security clearance
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Drug test
No
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Announcement number
USCIRF-17-03
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Control number
554680800
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Duties
Primary responsibilities include working with congressional offices; planning and coordinating events in Congress specific to USCIRF's mandate; providing research on legislation and policy issues; and drafting letters, memos and other documents as requested.
Major Duties
Reporting to the Senior Congressional and Outreach Specialist, the Congressional Relations and Outreach Specialist's primary responsibilities involve the following:
1. Congressional Affairs
- Developing new and strengthening current working relationships with congressional offices by offering USCIRF as a resource for their work, and by providing them with relevant information on a timely basis;
- Preparing and organizing logistics for USCIRF hearings, briefings and special events, including administrative tasks such as scheduling, printing materials, booking rooms, etc.;
- Drafting position papers, background reports, comparisons of laws and bills, and other relevant materials in support of USCIRF's annual outreach and policy workplan;
- Monitoring legislation and legislative activities, including the management of USCIRF's legislative tracker to help USCIRF successfully navigate and adapt to changes within the current policy environment;
- Researching congressional voting records and policy issues and legislation; compiling backgrounders on Members of Congress;
- Attending and/or covering relevant congressional hearings and briefings, and other Hill events;
- Setting up and maintaining a database of contact information for Members of Congress and other relevant actors; and
- Ensuring timely compiling of reports to Director, Executive Director, and Commissioners (Monthly Activities Reports, Commission Meeting Materials).
- Managing USCIRF's partnership with the International Religious Freedom Roundtable by coordinating joint initiatives, handling communication, and attending meetings; and
- Developing and maintaining partnerships with relevant stakeholders inside and outside the U.S. government, including the White House, State Department and other Executive Branch agencies, as well as with foreign officials, domestic and foreign audiences, NGOs, human rights groups and religious organizations, who can provide information, assistance, and support in advancing USCIRF's mission. This includes:
- Preparing and organizing logistics for meetings and events, including administrative tasks such as scheduling, printing materials, booking rooms, etc.;
- Updating USCIRF's database of contacts, including the contacts in the U.S. government, Congressional offices, NGOs, academia, and other relevant stakeholders focused on freedom of religion or belief, and related human rights; and
- Supporting the Director of Outreach and Policy in their outreach efforts to advance USCIRF policy recommendations and to raise awareness of religious freedom conditions globally.
- Working closely with Research and Policy staff on congressional affairs and outreach related tasks;
- Maintaining collaborative relationships with others within and across departments, displaying positive attitude and professional and collegial demeanor;
- Communicating professionally and respectfully both internally and externally, including with Commissioners, Congressional offices, Executive branch officials, the media, and other key stakeholders;
- Supporting Commissioners and Executive Director in their efforts to advance USCIRF's mission; and
- Performing other duties as assigned.
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Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Minimum 3 years' progressively responsible experience commensurate with duties outlined above.
Qualifications
- Must be a U.S. citizen;
- Satisfactory completion of a background investigation;
- Completion of a probationary period;
- Selectee must be able to meet and maintain suitability and security requirements;
- Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced setting, defining and meeting deadlines;
- Ability to synthesize information from various sources;
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including copy editing; and
- Extreme attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and collegial demeanor.
Education
Candidates must possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree.
Additional information
Benefits
USCIRF offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, ten Federal holidays, retirement, life insurance, and medical benefits. Please visit https://www.opm.gov/ for more information on benefits.
Other Information
Selective Service. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify at the time of appointment that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.
Reasonable Accommodation. USCIRF provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact USCIRF at (202) 523-3240. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Equal Employment Opportunity. The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Benefits
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
This job is excepted from the competitive civil service. Applicants will be evaluated and deemed either eligible or ineligible based on the (1) completeness of the submission of the required materials, (2) relevance and quality of experience and education, and (3) desired qualifications described above.
Pursuant to section 204(c) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, as amended, USCIRF staff members are hired "on the basis of professional and nonpartisan qualifications."
Benefits
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.
- cover letter;
- resume;
- three references; and
- writing sample (no more than five pages).
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.
How to Apply
To apply, candidates must email to jobs@uscirf.gov the following:
- cover letter;
- resume;
- three references; and
- writing sample (no more than five pages).
Applications sent via email should be in PDF format.
Agency contact information
Thomas Kraemer
- Address
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US Commission on International Religious Freedom
732 N Capitol Street NW
Suite A714
Washington, DC 20401
US
Next steps
Applications will be held in strict confidence. After submitting your application for this position, you will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your application materials. USCIRF will contact you if we wish to schedule an interview or if we require additional information or references. Please email all questions about the position to jobs@uscirf.gov.
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
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Required Documents
- cover letter;
- resume;
- three references; and
- writing sample (no more than five pages).
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
Learn more about this agency
How to Apply
To apply, candidates must email to jobs@uscirf.gov the following:
- cover letter;
- resume;
- three references; and
- writing sample (no more than five pages).
Applications sent via email should be in PDF format.
Agency contact information
Thomas Kraemer
- Address
-
US Commission on International Religious Freedom
732 N Capitol Street NW
Suite A714
Washington, DC 20401
US
Next steps
Applications will be held in strict confidence. After submitting your application for this position, you will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your application materials. USCIRF will contact you if we wish to schedule an interview or if we require additional information or references. Please email all questions about the position to jobs@uscirf.gov.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Beginning of a dialog window for the agency announcing this job. It begins with a heading 2 called "Learn more about Field Operating Offices of the Office of the Secretary of the Army". Escape will cancel and close the window.
Learn more about
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
Created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent bipartisan U.S. legislative agency which monitors the universal right to the freedom of religion or belief abroad, using international standards to do so, and makes policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF's activities include: engaging with Administration officials, members of Congress, foreign government and international organization officials, think tanks, policy experts, and members of civil society and religious groups; disseminating information to the public and policymakers through op-eds, press releases, policy briefs, reports, and other publications; participating in Congressional hearings; convening public hearings and expert briefings; engaging in overseas visits and inquiries; and participating in multilateral fora. More information about USCIRF is available at https://www.uscirf.gov/.
Agency contact information
Thomas Kraemer
- Address
-
US Commission on International Religious Freedom
732 N Capitol Street NW
Suite A714
Washington, DC 20401
US