Program Specialist

Department of State Headquarters • Washington, DC

5d

About The Position

This is a temporary, intermittent position in the Bureau of Legislative Affairs, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Congressional Travel Office (H/PDAS/CTO). The Program Specialist coordinates and arranges official foreign travel for Members of Congress and congressional staff. The work is highly sensitive and complex. The position reports to the Supervisory Congressional Travel Specialist.

The role coordinates and manages Congressional Delegations (CODELS) and Staff Delegations (STAFFDELS), including leading timely and appropriate advance notifications to U.S. mission personnel and designation of funding. It also works closely with posts to develop cost estimates for approval by congressional authorizers and troubleshoots cost issues with congressional staff to support effective implementation of official trips.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, pass an employment verification check, be subject to random drug testing, and be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance. Applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements and have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 in the Federal service. Education cannot substitute for the required specialized experience.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Subject to random drug testing.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Meet applicable time-in-grade and time-after-competitive-appointment requirements; federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service.
• Experience assessing proposed travel itineraries, identifying actual or potential problems, presenting findings, and developing and coordinating recommended solutions.
• Experience providing guidance to travelers on foreign travel issues and scheduling appropriate travel arrangements.
• Experience with Federal and Congressional regulations, policies, procedures, and practices governing foreign travel.
• No education substitute is available for the required specialized experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and arrange official foreign travel for Members of Congress and congressional staff.
• Coordinate and manage complex Congressional Delegations (CODELS) and Staff Delegations (STAFFDELS).
• Lead timely and appropriate advance notifications to U.S. mission personnel and designation of funding.
• Coordinate with posts to develop cost estimates and seek approval from congressional authorizers.
• Troubleshoot cost issues with congressional staff to facilitate effective implementation of official trips.
• Assess proposed travel itineraries, identify actual or potential problems, present findings, and develop and coordinate recommended solutions with appropriate officials.
• Provide guidance to travelers on foreign travel issues and schedule appropriate travel arrangements.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type, including whether the position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed