Congressional Liaison Specialist

CONGRESSIONAL LIAISON SPECIALIST

Department of Homeland Security

Customs and Border Protection

Office of Congressional Affairs

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Congressional Affairs, Washington, DC.

Duties

This is a Recent Graduate appointment in the Pathways Program. Selected individuals are placed in a dynamic one year development program in the excepted service designed to lead to a competitive civil service career in the Federal government. At the successful conclusion of this program, the agency may non-competitively convert individuals to a term (position lasting 1-4 years with an extension up to 120 days) or permanent position within the competitive service. Conversion to a Federal competitive service position will be at the discretion of the agency and is neither guaranteed nor implied.

The Congressional Liaison Specialist serves to support the link between CBP and Congress. This position provides assistance to the Office of the Assistant Commissioner and Staff Members by planning, directing, and coordinating congressional liaison activities, developing and maintaining a continuing awareness of the philosophies, mission, special interests, and areas of concern for the Office of Congressional Affairs.

This position starts at a salary of $57,164.00(GS-7, Step 1) to $90,898.00 (GS-9, Step 10) with promotion potential to $156,755(GS-13 Step 10).

Typical duties include:

Researching and developing background information/statistics on Agency/DHS programs for senior management to provide solid and logical justification to Congress in the advocacy of Agency/DHS goals and views. Researches and outlines the impact of proposed legislation to assist in developing and implementing legislative strategy and attends hearings to monitor House and Senate committee/floor action.

Receiving congressional inquiries. Researching area of concern and recommends most advantageous course of action to resolve conflict. Disseminates information to Members of Congress and their staffs concerning the application of CBP and DHS laws, regulations and practices to specific cases. Establishes and maintains accurate files of all legislation concerning CBP and DHS including committee actions, House and Senate floor actions, etc., and informs appropriate officials of status.

Promoting and publicizing the activity of the office throughout CBP and DHS and encourages CBP-wide awareness, input, suggestions and information through preparation of legislative articles for publications. Writes and/or edits submissions for management briefs.

Reviewing testimony to be given before Congress by the component head and other key officials for content, clarity, potential conflict with previous testimony, adherence to CBP and DHS policy, etc.

Ensuring that proposed testimony is cleared with DHS and OPM prior to its presentation. Reviews congressional correspondence for subject content, responsiveness, etc., as well as adherence to established policies governing preparation of congressional correspondence.