Counselor to the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs
Department:Department Of The Interior
Agency:Office of the Secretary of the Interior
Job Announcement Number:AG-13-PQ824547 (DEU)

JOB SUMMARY:

• U.S. Citizenship required
• This position is subject to a pre-employment background investigation
• Relocation expenses may be paid.
• Travel may be required.

 The major duties of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Coordinates assigned activities to ensure compliance with the Administration’s policies.  Provides coordination, liaison and initial review on matters pertaining to the program areas under the supervisor’s purview.
• Assignments are complex, important and diversified in scope and may be within any jurisdiction of the Indian Affairs programs.  Assignments may be of a nonrecurring nature, and the incumbent is responsible for research and conducting special studies or surveys of problems, projects, or program implementation.
• Produces briefings, decision memorandum and background papers on a wide variety of issues, problems or matters.  Develops strategies on sensitive and controversial issues and serves in a confidential capacity on organizational and internal matters.
• Works with Departmental program and staff officials to assure that projects assigned are coordinated to meet the objectives of Indian Affairs and are ready for action or endorsement by the Assistant Secretary.  Participates in meetings called for the purpose of briefing key officials when assignments will require coordination between two or more program offices.
• Participates in staff conferences and meetings called by the supervisor.  Contributes to program discussion and developments by citing current status of program involvement.  Notes and follows up on assignments made by the supervisor during these conferences and meetings.
• Working closely with the top leadership staff of the Indian Affairs organization, the incumbent develops, coordinates, resolves and implements a variety of special projects which may be highly sensitive, confidential and of national importance.  Completes in-depth analysis of issues of importance to top leadership staff within Indian Affairs, which is frequently needed in very short time frames.
• Follows legislative matters of interest to the Indian Affairs organization and programs to keep the supervisor informed of their status and progress.  Utilizes knowledge of the supervisor’s viewpoints in the general review of proposed legislation in order to highlight and bring to his/her attention those portions of bills which conflict with current Indian Affairs policy.  Recommends policy alternatives to be incorporated as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

 GS-14:  All applicants must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-13), which includes: 1) analyzing proposed legislation and evaluating the impact such legislation may have on one’s organization; 2) preparing, presenting, and defending proposed recommendations, policies, or regulations; 3) developing and delivering verbal presentations to high level officials on sensitive or controversial topics; AND 4) serving as spokesperson or representative for an organization or senior official.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement Friday, January 18, 2013.   Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review in our office, in other Federal agency personnel offices, and on OPM’s web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

Applications will be reviewed after the closing date of Friday, January 18, 2013.  Qualified applicants will be rated based on their possession of the knowledge and experience requirements identified under the “Qualifications” section.  Candidates rated as best qualified will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration.

Category Rating will be used in the ranking and selection process for this position.  The categories are Best Qualified, Well Qualified, and Qualified.  Veterans’ preference rules for category rating will be applied.

• Analytical Ability
• Communication
• Knowledge of legal research procedures, methods, and sources

Selective Service:  If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.