About this role
Job SummaryThe position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Chicago, IL Regional Office. The Congressional Liaison communicates with congressional aides and other outside entities telephonically to resolve inquiries about difficult cases and questions about VBA benefits. The incumbent reviews all the Congressional, White House, Secretary and other special inquiries received by letter and telephone in order to determine the proper disposition of these inquiries.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement: 09/21/2026. Time-In-Grade: 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. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at or above the GS-7 grade level To support your claim of time in grade, you must submit your most recent appointment, promotion, or within grade increase SF-50 (not an award or general adjustment SF-50). Some applicants may have to submit more than one SF-50 to demonstrate their eligibility. See the required documents section for more information. Minimum Qualifications: You must also qualify based on your experience and as described below: To qualify at the GS-9 grade level: Specialized Experience: One (1) year (52 weeks) of Specialized Experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7). Specialized experience is defined as experience in (1) analyzing submitted claims and initiating action to obtain all required evidence to support the claim. AND at least one of the following: (2) counseling customers and/or veterans, their dependents and their beneficiaries regarding their benefits, OR (3) serving as a liaison between government personnel (inside and outside the organization), representatives of business and industry, trade and professional associations, the media, or the public. OR (4) Conducting comprehensive briefings to large groups. Education: A master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL.B. or J.D., if related) from an accredited college or university, or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, may be substituted for experience at the GS-09 level. This graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform he duties of the position. Note: A transcript must be submitted with the application if all or part of the qualifications is based on education. Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g. have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement. Click here for more information. 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 normally involves mental rather than physical exertion. The work is mostly sedentary. However, there may be some walking, standing, and carrying of light items such as papers, books, claims folders, and files from one desk to another or for returning to storage. Carts are utilized to carry large number of claims folders. This will require the incumbent to push or pull the cart from one area to another. 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 DutiesDuties include, but are not limited to: Reviewing all Congressional, White House, Secretary, Office of the Director, Veterans Service Center, and other special inquiries received by letter, fax, email, and/or telephone. Responding to all inquiries by telephone or in writing on behalf of the Director of the Regional Office. Researching and analyzing inquiries to determine the correct course of action and priority. Communicating with congressional constituents to provide information pertaining to services and benefits available to Veterans. Conducting briefings and training sessions for congressional staff on VBA benefits. Representing the Regional Office at events and may serve as guest speaker/panelist. Preparing reports in accordance with established priorities. Work Schedule: Full Time, M-F 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: No Telework: This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description Title/PD#: Congressional Liaison Representative; PD39706A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Bargaining Unit: YesRequirementsAs a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Additional Conditions of Employment are as follows: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary or trial period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements I-9 Acceptable Documents. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Incumbent must be willing to report to the duty station indicated for this position