Job Summary

This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs (OCLA). OCLA serves as the primary congressional and legislative affairs office for all VA Administrations, staff offices, and program offices. The incumbent coordinates closely with the Office of General Counsel, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and Federally Mandated Committees to ensure all policies and procedures are adhered to.

Job Description

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:05/15/2026. COLLEGE GRADUATE HIRING REQUIREMENT: You must have obtained a qualifying graduate/equivalent or higher level degree from an institution of higher education within the previous two years. Veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation (of not less than 4 years) begin their 2-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed 6 years from the date on which the degree was completed. AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-09 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Responding to requests for information regarding policy and program issues Researching issues to be discussed/providing background documentation Communicating, orally and in writing, with a wide variety of individuals. Preparing summary and analysis of briefings and meetings. Tracking data and information provided to management, staff and customers. Education Substitution: You may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. [NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application] OR Combining Education & Experience: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-9 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 18 semester hours of graduate level education that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for a GS-9 position. For example, an applicant who has 27 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the GS-9 position. [NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application] GS-11 Grade Level: 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: Preparing and providing briefings and presentations on programs and issues of interest. Writing and reviewing a full range of correspondence/information to be provided to a variety of audiences. Providing technical assistance to program staff on how to respond to programmatic inquiries. Compiling workload metrics Interpreting reporting requirements contained in bills and enacted legislation. Preparing complex reports for senior department and OCLA management. Assisting management in interpretation and utilization of reports and congressional information provided. Education Substitution: You may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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. [NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application] OR Combining Education & Experience: You may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-11 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 36 semester hours of graduate level education that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for a GS-11 position. For example, an applicant who has 45 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the GS-11 position. [NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application] Volunteer Experience: 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; religions; 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. Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary although some slight physical effort may be required, including attending hearings/briefings on Capital Hill.