Public Affairs Specialist (Congressional Affairs Officer) - SME- P (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Office of External Affairs, United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Maritime Administration (MARAD).

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience requirements.

To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience serving as a lead or senior representative for an organization in engagements with government officials, elected leaders, senior executives, or other high-level stakeholders.

Experience preparing briefings, talking points, or formal correspondence; and coordinating responses or engagements across internal leadership and subject matter experts.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Partnering: Develops networks and builds alliances; collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.

Administration & Management: Knowledge of planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production.

Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.

For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Major Duties:

As a Public Affairs Specialist (Congressional Affairs Office), you will: Serve as a primary point of contact for government officials, senior stakeholders, and institutional partners, coordinating briefings, engagements, correspondence, and leadership interactions.

Support and manage advisory bodies or committees, including preparing agendas, coordinating participation, documenting meetings, and ensuring compliance with applicable policies or regulatory frameworks.

Manage the lifecycle of external gifts, partnerships, or support agreements, including intake, coordination with legal and finance offices, documentation, valuation, and stewardship activities.

Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and internal policies for external engagement, advisory operations, and partnership or gifts management.

Prepare executive-level briefings, reports, and communication materials for senior leadership related to external affairs, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement.

The ideal candidate is an external affair professional with strong experience in high-level stakeholder engagement, executive communications, and public-facing programs.

The individual demonstrates sound judgment in complex, high-visibility environments and regularly coordinates with senior leaders and cross-functional partners.

Experience with congressional relations, advisory bodies, compliance programs, or institutional advancement is highly desirable. Public affairs experience a big plus.