Congressional Communications Analyst

IRS PATHWAYS RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM CONGRESSIONAL AND TAXPAYER COMMUNICATIONS ANALYST GS-0301-7/9

US Department of the Treasury

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PATHWAYS PROGRAM? For additional information regarding the Pathways Program, please refer to: Students & Recent Graduates on USAJOBS.

See Other Information for locations.

Responsibilities

IRS Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic, developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government.

Following the completion of program requirements, selectees may be considered for non-competitive conversion to a career-conditional or term appointment. All conversion requirements will be identified in the Participant Agreement. Program requirements include but are not limited to: Successful completion of at least 2 years of continuous service; Completion of at least 40 hours of interactive training; Mentorship; Demonstration of successful job performance; and Meet the qualification position standards. Conversion is not guaranteed or implied

If selected, you will be placed in a position as a CONGRESSIONAL AND TAXPAYER COMMUNICATIONS ANALYST, GS-0301-07 OR GS-0301-09, with a Career Ladder 7/9/11 in the Executive Secretariat Division at the National Headquarters.

WHAT IS THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT DIVISION? This office oversees the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Commissioner to include: scheduling the Commissioner’s internal/external meetings and events, coordinating meetings with Treasury, reviewing and approving travel, budget, timekeeping, hiring for the Commissioner’s complex and answering all Commissioner correspondence from employees, taxpayers and Congress.

WHAT DOES A CONGRESSIONAL AND TAXPAYER COMMUNICATIONS ANALYST DO?

As a Congressional and Taxpayer Communications Analyst you will provide analytical services and related assistance to management in the Correspondence Office of the Office of Executive Secretariat. Perform a variety of analyses to determine trends in communication issues. Screen and collect data for resolution of issues from a variety of sources including Agency personnel, Congressional staff, and the White House. You will answer routine taxpayer inquires on behalf of the Commissioner. Perform research and analysis of taxpayer issues and then develop and analyze facts to prepare summary notes and recommend appropriate actions. Gather and maintain statistics on calls and letters to conduct studies, analysis, and prepare written reports on a continuing basis. Analyze data for trends or patterns of interest to the service.

The following are the duties of this position at the GS-11. You will have the opportunity to learn to perform these duties and will receive training to help you grow in this position.

As a CONGRESSIONAL AND TAXPAYER COMMUNICATIONS ANALYST you will:

Perform research/analysis on numerous types of taxpayer issues resulting from correspondence addressed to the Commissioner and/or to the President.

Identify problems and correspondence requiring immediate and special attention. Evaluate and assign inquiries to the proper head of office for response. Analyze areas of taxpayer and Congressional communications such as timeliness of responses by office, quality of responses, etc.

Answer non-technical inquiries on behalf of the Commissioner and the President by researching various databases and by using a general knowledge of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) structure and processes. Screen telephone calls from outside the Service, including the Department of the Treasury, other government agencies, Members of Congress, Congressional committees, White House staff members, and taxpayers. Prepare summary notes and suggestions concerning the subject matter involved before referral to the supervisor or to the staff.

Conduct studies and analyses and prepare written reports on a continuing basis or as requested on Congressional and taxpayer communications of all types. Prepare summary notes and suggestions concerning the subject matter involved before referring to the supervisor or to the staff. Perform special studies and research projects and other assignments. Develop and analyze the facts needed and recommend the action to be taken.

Review and summarize information from a variety of sources for use by the supervisor, exercising appropriate judgment and knowledge. Gather and maintain statistics on the telephone calls and letters received from taxpayers and Congressional offices and through the White House and the Department of the Treasury. Analyze communications for information such as source (House vs. Senate, taxpayer vs. practitioner, etc.), disposition within the IRS (HQ vs. field, functions within IRS, etc.), geographic dispersion (more from east coast than from mountain states, large numbers of similar complaints from one state, etc.), and subject matter.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OTHER IRS CAREERS? If you want to find out more about IRS careers, visit us on the web at www.jobs.irs.gov

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

11

Job family (Series)

0301 Miscellaneous Administration And Program

Requirements

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Refer to Other Information.

Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National

Qualifications

YOU MUST FIRST MEET RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.

YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR THE POSITION BASED ON EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH. Federal Experience is not required. The following requirements must be met prior to appointment/enter on duty date:

GS-07 LEVEL: You must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is experience that demonstrates: Knowledge of organizational objectives and policies governing various functional programs, operations and processes to assist in providing analysis and guidance with supervision; Use of analytical techniques and information management methods for information gathering with supervision to perform a variety of analysis, determine trends in communication issues, and develop and analyze the facts to summarizes information from a variety of sources for use by managers; Oral and written communication techniques to communicate with internal and external customers, prepare summary notes and make recommendations concerning the subject matter involved before referral to the supervisor. OR

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) - A Bachelor’s degree, with one of the following: A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate courses or those completed in the last 2 years of study, or a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all courses in the major field of study or those courses in the major completed in the last 2 years of study, or rank in the upper one third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, or membership in a national scholastic honor society recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. OR At least 1 academic year of graduate education in a field of study that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position.

GS-09 LEVEL: You must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is experience that demonstrates: Knowledge of information management, external and organizational awareness, and oral and written communication; Skill in managing administrative assignments with minimal supervision to ensure timeliness, consistency and completeness; Review statistical data, reports of inquiries, responses, and memoranda to develop consolidated responses on behalf of the organization; Make recommendations to supervisors regarding trends and patterns of interest; Knowledge of organizational objectives and policies governing various functional programs, operations and processes to assist in providing analysis and guidance. OR

You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: A master's or equivalent graduate degree in a related field of study such as: communications, business or public administration or other administrative and management fields. OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a graduate degree in a related field of study such as: communications, business or public administration or other administrative and management fields. One year of graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. OR LLB or JD if related.

ALL GRADES: You may qualify by a combination of experience and education. Options for qualifying based on a combination will be identified in the online questions. In addition to the above to be eligible for the IRS Pathways Recent Graduates Program, you must have, within the previous 2 years, completed all educational requirements for a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying institution; you are a veteran, who due to a military service obligation was precluded from applying to the recent graduates program during a portion of the 2-year eligibility period; or intended graduation is no more than 9 months from date of application. Education must be completed prior to appointment/enter on duty date. For more information on education requirements go to Treasury’s Pathways Program.

Veterans who, due to a military service obligation, were precluded from applying to a Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2 year eligibility period may have their eligibility period extended so that they receive the full 2 years of eligibility. The remaining 2-year eligibility period will begin upon his or her release or discharge from active duty. The veteran's eligibility period may not extend beyond 6 years from the date of completion of all requirements of an academic course of study.

The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or Volunteer Service . One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis.

To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your résumé.

Education

Additional information

Other Information:

2 Positions are located in Washington, DC.

The anticipated start date is SEPTEMBER 2019 .

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m.

We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Undergo an income tax verification and review of prior performance/conduct.

Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.

Must successfully complete a background investigation, including a FBI criminal history record check (fingerprint check).

Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.

Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.

All selectees must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement.

Subject to a 1-year trial period is required (unless already completed).

Selected applicants who occupy positions in the Competitive Service must acknowledge the outcome of voluntarily leaving the Competitive Service prior to accepting an Excepted Service Appointment in the Pathways Program. See 5 CFR 302.102(b)(2).

Pathways is an Excepted Service Appointment, Schedule D, 5 CFR Part 362 (Pathways Program), and may NOT be combined with other Excepted Service Appointments (e.g., Schedule A).

Education must be completed, and official transcripts must be received and verified prior to appointment/enter on duty date.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application includes your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a “not qualified” determination.

Rating: Your application will be evaluated in the following areas: Decision Making, Writing, Customer Service, Organizational Awareness, Technology Application, Information Management, and External Awareness . Category-like rating (Quality Group) will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of three quality level categories, Superior/Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, and Qualified depending on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, and training related to this position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.

Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Preference-eligibles will be listed at the top of their assigned category and considered before non-preference-eligibles in that category. Qualified preference-eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest category.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview (telephonic and/or in person at the discretion of the Selecting Official in accordance with hiring polices). We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance

Not Required

Drug test required

No

Required Documents

Required Documents

A complete application includes 1. A resume, 2. Vacancy question responses, 3. Provide proof of enrollment or education (see education documentation required) and 4. Submission of any required documents . Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you will not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

All applicants are required to submit a resume either by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of their own choosing. ( Cover letters are optional). To receive full credit for relevant experience, please list the month/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to these questions. Please view Resume Tips

EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION: You must submit dated documentation showing completion or intended completion (if graduation is no more than 9 months from the date of application) of all educational requirements (e.g. letter from the registrar, unofficial transcripts). An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A college or university degree or certificate generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page . If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions. A Certificate is a post-secondary educational program in a qualifying educational institution equivalent to at least one full-time academic year of study that is part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational or business school curriculum. For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year of full-time study. If your academic institution calculates a full-year of academic studies with fewer hours, or academic credits are expressed in contract months, units, or other terms that differ from the conventional hours, PLEASE HAVE YOUR ACADEMIC ADVISOR provide a letter certifying the Certificate program meets the regulatory definition. If you are qualifying based on a certificate program, please refer to the Treasury’s Pathways Program page for more information on qualifying certificate programs at Treasury's Pathways Program .

VETERANS' PREFERENCE DOCUMENTATION: If you are claiming veterans’ preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an Application for 10-point Veteran Preference, SF-15 , along with the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form. For more information on veterans' preference view FedsHireVets .

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Benefits

Benefits

A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits .

Our comprehensive benefits are very generous. Our benefits package includes:

Challenging work, opportunities for advancement, competitive salaries, bonuses and incentive awards.

For full-time employees- 10 paid holidays, 13 days of sick leave, and 13 to 26 days of vacation time each year.

Access to insurance programs that may be continued after you retire.

A wide choice of health insurance plans, coverage for pre-existing conditions, and no waiting periods. We pay a substantial amount (up to 75%) of the health insurance premiums.

A retirement program which includes employer-matching contributions.

Learn more about Federal benefits programs at Pay and benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.