Public Affairs Specialist

Full Job Description

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is unique in the size and the scope of its work. It serves as both the local and the federal prosecutor for the nation's capital.

On the local side, AUSAs assigned to the Superior Court Division prosecute cases ranging from misdemeanors to homicides.

On the federal side, AUSAs assigned to the Criminal Division prosecute federal crimes. The Civil Division further defends the United States in civil suits brought in the District of Columbia.

Note: In order to be considered "qualified" for this position, your specialized experience must be described in your resume.

Please be sure that your resume clearly states any and all of the specialized experience that you may have.

If your specialized experience is not clearly stated in your resume, you will not be considered for this position.

To be found eligible at the GS-12 level, you must have one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service, which has equipped you with the competencies to perform the duties of the position.

Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to presenting accurate, complete, and intellectually honest material to promote the organization's position and educate the public about the District's initiatives, programs, operations, and policies ensuring sensitive/classified information is protected from unauthorized disclosure.

Examples of specialized experience are establishing and maintaining oral communication with the public and news media on behalf of an organization; advising senior level management on communication needs; presenting material to promote the organization's position, initiatives, programs, operations, and policies through press conferences, social media and website production; preparing and editing written communication materials related to crime, law enforcement actions, legislation, trials and court decisions.

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 for this position, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for assisting in the planning, organizing, preparing, and executing of complex and diverse communication strategies to carry out public affairs activities in the Public Affairs Unit in the Front Office for the U.S.

Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.

Typical work assignments will include: Reporting on or writing about federal, state, and municipal courts, which requires a thorough knowledge of the legal industry.

Preparation, production, and maintenance of appropriate written and other communication products, including but not limited to a website, summaries, brochures, press releases, articles or a newsletter, reporting on the district's activities and achievements.

Ensuring that all information being disseminated is accurate, complete, and intellectually honest; that sensitive or classified information is protected from unauthorized disclosure; and that information reflects the policies, views, and program initiatives of the Department and the Office.

Coordination, solicitation, and management of all aspects of public appearances and press conferences, including notification of appropriate persons and confirmation of date, time, location, security, audience, and subject matter.

Review and management of the content of local website to ensure information/content is current, accurate, complete, and up-to-date, appropriate use of search engine optimization and social media.

Coordinates with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to ensure public communications are accurate, consistent, and appropriately cleared prior to release.

Develops, manages, and evaluates the office's social media presence to effectively communicate priorities, case outcomes, and public safety messaging.

Drafts speeches, talking points, and briefing materials for the U.S. Attorney for public engagements.

Monitors media coverage and analyzes communications effectiveness to inform future outreach and messaging strategies.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

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 25-DC-12925016-MS.