Program Specialist- Congressional Liaison

Full Job Description

This position is located at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center.

The purpose of the work is to plan and conduct a Congressional Liaison program at the Salisbury VA Healthcare System (SVAHCS).

The position serves as the Congressional Liaison and Public Affairs Assistant, and reports to the Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist (Communication Officer).

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/19/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.

An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.

If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.

In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: reviewing/analyzing Congressional laws, regulations and policies; gathering facts and information from complainants and respondents and work towards resolving issues; conducting analyses of complex functions and work processes and negotiates recommended change/improvements through reports and presentations; drafting/editing executive, congressional and clinical correspondence in the form of presentations, briefs, memos, letters and public announcements; and communicating and maintaining effective relationships with a wide variety/diverse population and groups.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Successful completion of a Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M if related.

OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate education (Only graduate education in excess of 2 years or a Master's degree is creditable towards meeting this requirement).

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Major Duties:

Major Duties: Directs the Salisbury VAHCS's Congressional Liaison Program.

Acts as a spokesperson for the Medical Center in dealing with Congressional Offices, VA Central Office (i.e., Office of Medical Inspector, Office of Inspector General, etc.), North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs as well as other local and state government offices and officials.

Communicates with, plans, establishes, and maintains effective working relationships with Congressional, state, and local entities, and communities affecting agency programs to gain a better understanding of their interest and to facilitate their participating and understanding.

Develops issue briefs and white papers on behalf of the Medical Center Director, after conducting appropriate fact-finding with Administrative and Clinical Services; and keeps the Director, and other members of the Executive Leadership Team updated and informed.

Manages the Inquiry, Routing, and Information System (I.R.I.S.) Inquiries for the Salisbury VAHCS.

Responds directly to inquiries by reviewing electronic medical records, input from administrative and clinical staff and knowledge of VHA policies, directives, and regulations.

Receives, assigns, and tracks all Congressional, Office of Medical Inspector (OMI), Office of Inspector General (OIG), White House Hotline (WHH), Office of Accountability and Whistleblower (OAWP) and patient inquiries received in the Office of the Director; prepares responses; and assists with problem solving.

Advises and recommends innovative approaches and/or resolution of problems and reducing conflicts.

Conducts tours and other related tasks for special visitors and dignitaries; and coordinates a quarterly Congressional Staffer Round Table meeting for the Executive Leadership Team.

Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 - 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: This position may be authorized for telework.

Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist- Congressional Liaison/PD020640 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized