Tribal Affairs Specialist

U.S. Coast Guard; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 169,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Coast Guard in Washington, DC seeks a Tribal Affairs Specialist (GS-0301-15) to serve as a Senior Advisor on policies with Tribal implications.

You will provide independent advice to the Homeland Security Secretary and the Commandant, guiding consultation with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. Typical duties include leading the Coast Guard strategic engagement program at state and national levels, building intergovernmental relationships, and ensuring policy

Qualifications

• This position does not have a positive education requirement.
• If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements with an equivalency evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Tribal Affairs Specialist and Senior Advisor to the Commandant on policies with Tribal implications.
• Advise the Homeland Security Secretary and Commandant on matters related to Tribal affairs.
• Lead the Coast Guard strategic engagement program at state and national levels.

Job description

• Department: Department of Homeland Security
• Location: Washington, District of Columbia

This vacancy is for a GS-0301-15, Tribal Affairs Specialist located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, DIRECTOR OF COAST GUARD COMMUNICATIONS CG-COMMS in WASHINGTON, District of Columbia.

Key Responsibilities

You will serve as a Tribal Affairs Specialist and serve as a Senior Advisor to the Commandant on all policies regarding the Coast Guard that have Tribal implication. Serve as a special advisor to give direct ad independent advice to the Homeland Security Secretary and the Commandant on matters related to Tribal affairs. Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team.

Typical work assignments include: Work to ensure that policies regarding consultation and engagement with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian are implemented. Maintain and Initiate relationships with intergovernmental officials and agencies. Lead the Coast Guard strategic engagement program within the state, and national forum. Serve as a Senior Advisor on all policies pertaining to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.

Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case‑by‑case basis.

If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement.

To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Reasonable Accommodation Information

Requirements & Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail. Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution.

Once selected & prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. (see FOREIGN EDUCATION below).

College Transcript: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration.

Transcripts should be legible and detailed, showing course number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. To receive this credit, you must submit evidence of equivalency as provided by a credentialling evaluation service. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application.

See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers.

DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service‑connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $169279 - $197200/yr.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Secret security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-21.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.