Public Affairs Specialist (Congressional Affairs Officer) (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Maritime Administration • Kings Point, NY

3d

About The Position

This position is located in the Office of External Affairs at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Maritime Administration (MARAD). The Academy’s mission is to educate and graduate leaders of exemplary character to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces.

The Public Affairs Specialist (Congressional Affairs Officer) serves as a primary contact for government officials, senior stakeholders, and institutional partners. The role coordinates briefings, engagements, correspondence, and leadership interactions; supports advisory bodies and committees; manages external gifts, partnerships, and support agreements; develops procedures and policies; and prepares executive-level briefings, reports, and communication materials for senior leadership.

The ideal candidate has experience in external affairs, high-level stakeholder engagement, executive communications, and public-facing programs, and demonstrates sound judgment in complex, high-visibility environments. Experience with congressional relations, advisory bodies, compliance programs, or institutional advancement is highly desirable; public affairs experience is a plus.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• For Grade 13, at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to GS-12.
• Experience serving as a lead or senior representative for an organization in engagements with government officials, elected leaders, senior executives, or other high-level stakeholders, and preparing briefings, talking points, or formal correspondence.
• Experience coordinating responses or engagements across internal leadership and subject matter experts.
• Federal applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements: 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch.
• A background security investigation and favorable adjudication are required.
• Must complete a one-year probationary period unless already completed.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• The position involves travel; a government contractor-issued travel card must be retained for official business only.
• Required application documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Qualifications are evaluated on partnering, administration and management, and written communication.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with congressional relations, advisory bodies, compliance programs, or institutional advancement is highly desirable.
• Public affairs experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for government officials, senior stakeholders, and institutional partners, coordinating briefings, engagements, correspondence, and leadership interactions.
• Support and manage advisory bodies or committees, including preparing agendas, coordinating participation, documenting meetings, and ensuring compliance with applicable policies or regulatory frameworks.
• Manage external gifts, partnerships, or support agreements from intake through coordination with legal and finance offices, documentation, valuation, and stewardship activities.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and internal policies for external engagement, advisory operations, and partnership or gifts management.
• Prepare executive-level briefings, reports, and communication materials for senior leadership related to external affairs, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement.
• Coordinate responses or engagements across internal leadership and subject matter experts.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed