Public Affairs Specialist

Full Job Description

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement. This position is also being announced to applicants eligible to apply through Merit Staffing procedures under 26-GAS-12866721-MS.

GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a combination of Education and Experience.

Specialized Experience: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet one full year of specialized experience at the GS-9 level.

Specialized experience is defined as performing the following types of duties: developing news releases, fact sheets, talking points, and related materials for publication in printed media; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with print and broadcast media; and conducting workshops, seminars, and other meetings with various audiences.

Education: Possess one of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Communications, Public Speaking, Media): Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree; OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M, if related.

Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Combination of Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements.

In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of the first two years.

GS-12: To be eligible at the GS-12 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a combination of Education and Experience.

Specialized Experience: To be eligible at the GS-12 level, you must meet one full year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level.

Specialized experience is defined as performing the following types of duties: planning and managing the public relations program of an organization involving controversial issues of significant public interest; developing a dynamic and effective communication plan designed to educate the public about an organization's initiatives, programs, and operations; establishing and maintaining effective and professional working relationships with print and broadcast media representatives; drafting, reviewing, and editing press releases, press statements, remarks, and speeches; developing and transmitting public information to the press, as a spokesperson for an organization; and establishing and maintaining working relationships with outside groups in achieving understanding with individuals indifferent to or having opposing points of view of an organization's policies and programs.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.

If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.

To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria.

You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form.

Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.

If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.

To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria.

You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application.

Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Major Duties:

If selected, you will perform a range of public affairs and community outreach duties that involve the United States Attorney's Office. You will receive formal and/or on-the-job training as needed.

Duties include: Planning, directing and executing public affairs program to inform and educate the general and specialized publics about GAS's programs, activities and services, including disseminating information and promoting an understanding of USAO programs, initiatives and priorities.

Planning and coordinating with news media coverage and press conferences for special programs, events and cases, including engaging with representatives of the public as well as other local, state, and federal law enforcement.

Developing, implementing and planning social media strategies, social media messaging and social media/social networking programs.

Proactively managing web platforms insuring policies, procedures, and compliance Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.