Summary This position is assigned to Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Business Center (BC), Legislative and Stakeholder Branch. This position serves as a Legislative Affairs Specialist. The incumbent supports engagement with internal USDA and external partner organizations to drive awareness and collaboration for the FPAC Mission Area. This is a Bargaining Unit position. Responsibilities Reviews and writes important correspondence bearing on matters of national policy regarding FPAC Mission area, FSA, NRCS, and RMA programs and activities, to ensure they are correlated with Agency policy and positions on legislation. Researches and develops talking points, briefing materials and presentations for use by senior FPAC leadership to stakeholder groups and state and local officials. Conducts engagement with officials from other government agencies on behalf of the FPAC mission area as directed. Serves as a source of information for congressional inquiries and prepares briefs for member staff. Assists in reviewing and evaluating subcommittee and committee drafts for administrative, scientific and implementation aspects of agricultural conservation and natural resources management. Assists in reviewing, analyzing and summarizing legislative bills and testimony being considered by the Congress to determine the effect on current agricultural conservation programs of the Department and mission area. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-13 level, you must possess at least one full-time year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level which demonstrates experience formulating and developing legislative proposals and responses to congressional inquiries involving agricultural programs; serving in a leadership capacity by supporting, advising, and representing executive leadership on issues related to agricultural legislative proposals; conducting legislative research, interpretation, and providing critical analysis to senior agency officials. Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must possess at least one full-time year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level which demonstrates experience: 1) Conducting legislative research, interpretation, providing analysis, and developing materials and presentations for briefings to the Hill, federal and state partners, and stakeholder groups by senior officials; 2) Researching and analyzing proposals and responses to congressional and stakeholder inquiries regarding federal programs; 3) Developing and maintaining effective communication and relationships with internal and external contacts to gather and share information. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the 09/17/2024 of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined above. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education There is no substitute for education in lieu of Specialized Experience GS-12/13. Additional Information For Washington, DC, this is a AFSCME Bargaining Unit position. For Kansas City, MO, this is a NTEU Bargaining Unit position. For St. Louis, MO and Ft Worth, TX this is a AFGE Bargaining Unit position. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/RPL candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/RPL applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. OGE450: If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you will be subject to a security investigation and a credit report. Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.