Visual Information Specialist

Full Job Description

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S.

Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade, Office of the Executive Assistant Commissioner, located in Washington, DC.

Additional selections may be made to include other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement: Applicants who meet the Individual Occupational Requirements described below are fully qualified for the specified entry grade and must also meet the specialized experience and/or education requirements.

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- commercial art, fine arts, art history, industrial design, architecture, drafting, interior design, photography, visual communication, or other fields related to the position.

Some positions may also require subject-matter knowledge of medicine, science, or technical equipment.

Advanced training in a vocational school, technical institute, or art institute above the high school level in one of the fields listed above is creditable as general experience on a month-for-month basis.

OR Specialized Experience: One-year experience in the actual type of work for which application is made.

Unpaid experience is creditable, provided the work done was of a quality level and demonstrated the ability required for the position.

This includes planning the preparation and use of photographs, illustrations, drawings, and other artwork, charts, diagrams, dioramas, maps, slides, overlays, and other kinds of visual material for use in communicating information through visual means.

In addition to meeting the above Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) AND Time-In-Grade Requirement, applicants must also meet the following specialized experience of the position.

Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Developing original visual designs, concepts, and layouts for publications, exhibits, presentations, and websites using professional graphic design software to effectively convey intended messages to multiple audiences.

Providing visual information services and content development in support of organizational communication efforts, including designing and producing internal and external materials for SharePoint, web, and print in accordance with established branding or style guidelines.

Collaborating with content providers and subject matter experts to obtain and shape written content, graphics, and images, and integrating that material into visually cohesive products for dissemination through multiple channels.

Researching, selecting, and editing images from photo libraries or catalogues, ensuring appropriate licensing, and preparing images for use in visual products such as brochures, pamphlets, displays, and other graphic materials.

Planning and executing visual information projects from concept through production, including determining appropriate visual approaches, coordinating with printing and graphics services, and ensuring products meet technical quality, timeliness, and organizational visual standards.

Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Developing complex visual communication strategies, branding initiatives, and multimedia content, including graphic design and video recording/editing.

Leading creative teams or projects for public affairs, social media campaigns, and multimedia production, incorporating graphic design and video editing to enhance messaging.

Collaborating with senior leadership to convey key messaging through visual storytelling, utilizing graphic design and video recording/editing to create impactful narratives.

Designing and managing electronic and web-based content.

Using professional-level design and multimedia tools to research, design, and deliver state-of-the-art visual products, templates, and media solutions that support organizational communication goals.

Serving as a technical authority and internal consultant on visual information, including advising senior leadership and program offices on visual communication strategies.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.

Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must: Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 04/07/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.

If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity.

During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances.

For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP.

Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years.

If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S.

Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S.

government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S.

government Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment.

Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period. Major Duties:

CBP Office of Trade is the architect of the most robust customs system in the world and the second largest revenue source for the U.S. Government. We facilitate legitimate trade, enforce U.S.

laws, and protect the American economy as well as consumer health and safety.

Collaborating with industry and government partners, we create a fair, competitive, and safe trade environment, and we enforce U.S. trade law to protect national economic security.

Our expertise in the trade community allows us to lead the development of streamlined and efficient processes that provide certainty for legitimate importers, while combatting transnational crime.

This position starts at a salary of $102,415.00 (GS-12, Step 1) to $158,322.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $158,322.00 (GS-13 Step 10).

Major duties may include, but are not limited to: Developing a variety of visual communication materials, including factsheets, handouts, charts, graphs, digital photographs, infographics, web pages, and multimedia content, integrating graphic design and video editing techniques for display or reproduction purposes.

Utilizing advanced equipment, such as digital cameras, video recording tools, computers, and Adobe Creative Cloud software (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, Lightroom, and After Effects), to create high-quality visual and video products within established deadlines.

Applying subject matter expertise, design skills, and communication abilities to produce internal and external informational materials for SharePoint, web, social media, and print, adhering to CBP guidelines and incorporating graphic design and video editing.

Planning, executing, and directing the design, recording, editing, and presentation of photo and video products for publications, presentations, and social media, ensuring alignment with OT and CBP objectives.

Delivering professional, accurate, timely, and balanced visual and multimedia products and services that effectively support CBP's mission and communication goals.

GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table.

Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.