What are the responsibilities and job description for the Congressional Liaison Specialist position at Office of Congressional Affairs?
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Congressional Affairs located in Washington, DC.
Education Substitution:
GS-7: Have successfully completed one or more years of full-time graduate education from an accredited college or university; or Have completed all of the requirements for a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and claim eligibility for superior academic achievement bases on one of the following: a grade point average of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, class standing in the upper third of my graduating class or major subdivision, or membership in a national scholastic honor society.
GS-9: I have successfully completed a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education at an accredited or pre-accredited college or university leading to such a degree or related LL. B. or J.D.
Combining Education and Experience:
GS-7: Have a combination of successfully completed education and experience that is at least 100% as described in the Combining Experience and Education statement in the announcement posting. I understand that I am required to submit proof of my educational claim.
GS-9: I have successfully completed a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education at an accredited or pre-accredited college or university leading to such a degree or related LL. B. or J.D.
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.
You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 05/26/2026.
In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers
Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be placed in the Well-Qualified category for this position, as described within this announcement. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this job announcement.
GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position.Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.
Typical duties include:
Qualifications:
Experience: You qualify for the GS-7 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:- Receiving and assisting in processing inquiries from legislative stakeholders.
- Gathering and organizing information related to legislative matters or organizational programs.
- Assisting in the preparation and dissemination of written and oral communications regarding organizational activities.
- Maintaining records or files related to legislative actions and providing status updates to appropriate parties.
- Supporting the review of official correspondence or testimony for clarity and adherence to established guidelines.
- Independently researching and developing background information to support responses to legislative inquiries.
- Preparing and disseminating information to legislative stakeholders regarding laws, regulations, and organizational practices.
- Reviewing and editing official communications or testimony for content, clarity, and compliance with established policies.
- Establishing and maintaining records on relevant legislative actions and providing updates to leadership.
- Analyzing the impact of proposed legislation and assisting in the development of strategies to support organizational objectives.
Education Substitution:
GS-7: Have successfully completed one or more years of full-time graduate education from an accredited college or university; or Have completed all of the requirements for a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and claim eligibility for superior academic achievement bases on one of the following: a grade point average of a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, class standing in the upper third of my graduating class or major subdivision, or membership in a national scholastic honor society.
GS-9: I have successfully completed a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education at an accredited or pre-accredited college or university leading to such a degree or related LL. B. or J.D.
Combining Education and Experience:
GS-7: Have a combination of successfully completed education and experience that is at least 100% as described in the Combining Experience and Education statement in the announcement posting. I understand that I am required to submit proof of my educational claim.
GS-9: I have successfully completed a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education at an accredited or pre-accredited college or university leading to such a degree or related LL. B. or J.D.
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.
You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 05/26/2026.
In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers
Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
- Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
- A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
- Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
- Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government
Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be placed in the Well-Qualified category for this position, as described within this announcement. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this job announcement.
Responsibilities:
This position starts at a salary of $57,736.00 (GS-07, Step 1) to $91,815.00 (GS-09, Step 10) with promotion potential to $158,322 (GS-13 Step 10).GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position.Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.
Typical duties include:
- Receive, research, and respond to inquiries from legislative stakeholders.
- Gather, organize, and disseminate information related to legislative matters and organizational programs.
- Review and edit written communications, including official correspondence and testimony, for clarity and compliance with established guidelines.
- Maintain records and provide updates on legislative actions and related activities.
- Support the development and implementation of strategies to address the impact of proposed legislation.
Salary : $57,736