Public Affairs Specialist

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 All U.S. Citizens and Nationals under 26-AK-13057188-DE. As the Public Affairs Officer, you will administer a comprehensive communications program to inform and engage the public, news media, community organizations, and other stakeholders about the work and priorities of the United States Attorney's Office. Typical work assignments will include: Planning, initiating, and implementing comprehensive public affairs and communications strategies to enhance public understanding of USAO initiatives, priorities, and the Department of Justice's role in advancing the rule of law and instilling public confidence in the justice system. Serving as the office's chief spokesperson and principal communications advisor to the United States Attorney and senior leadership on all matters involving media relations and public messaging. Handling privileged, sensitive, and law enforcement-sensitive information with discretion, ensuring that public communications do not compromise active investigations, ongoing prosecutions, or the privacy rights of victims, witnesses, and defendants. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with members of the local and national news media, specialized groups, community organizations, and other stakeholders interested in the office's work and initiatives. Producing a broad range of high-quality written communications, including press releases, public statements, speeches, talking points, op-eds, and articles for both national publications and district-level distribution. Managing the office's social media presence and other digital communications platforms, developing content that advances office priorities and accurately represents the office's work to diverse audiences. Organizing and coordinating media interviews, press conferences, and other public-facing events involving senior leadership and staff; oversees logistics and preparation for all media engagements. Providing expert advisory services and communications leadership to public affairs officers at federal, state, and local law enforcement partner agencies, promoting coordinated and consistent public messaging across the law enforcement community. Coordinating with public affairs officers at other United States Attorney's Offices on shared cases and initiatives, and maintaining close working relationships with public affairs staff at Department of Justice headquarters Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. 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 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 Specialized Experience defined below: 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/. Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) • VEOA allows eligible veterans to apply and compete for positions announced under merit promotion procedures when the hiring agency is recruiting from outside its own workforce. To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If you are applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement. Special Employment Consideration • Persons with disabilities, veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more, certain other veterans, spouses of certain members of the armed forces, and returning Peace Corps volunteers are examples of individuals who are potentially eligible for non-competitive appointments. For further information, click on the links provided below . You must specify in your online questionnaire under what authority you wish to be considered and submit appropriate documentation to verify your eligibility. Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities Links: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=Types-of-Appointments All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov OR Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.