Media Relations and Writing Specialist

Summary This position is within the Bonneville Power Administration's (BPA) Chief Administrative Office (N), Communications (NK), Media Relations, Policy Communications, and Writing (NKP) team. As a Media Relations and Writing Specialist, you'll be the voice of BPA, shaping public perception, handling media engagement, and driving strategic communications to diverse audiences. Learn more about this agency Duties Shape the Future of Energy: Be a Voice for Bonneville Power Administration! Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) delivers clean, reliable energy and is committed to transparent communication with the communities we serve. As a Media Relations and Writing Specialist, you will be vital in shaping our public narrative, translating complex energy topics into clear, engaging messages, and fostering strong relationships with media and stakeholders. Your expertise will directly influence how millions understand and interact with BPA's crucial work. This dynamic role offers the chance to: Lead Communication Strategies: Design, execute, and assess comprehensive communication plans and campaigns to build understanding and support for BPA's mission and initiatives among diverse audiences, including customers, employees, and the general public. Be a Key Media Voice: Act as an official spokesperson and primary point of contact for media, skillfully managing inquiries and ensuring timely, accurate information dissemination, even on sensitive or complex subjects. Develop Influential Content: Craft compelling news releases, talking points, and speeches for BPA leadership, as well as creating other impactful communication products-summaries, articles, and key messages-that highlight BPA's achievements and priorities. Drive Digital Engagement: Create, edit, and approve content for social media, transforming intricate technical, policy, and financial details into accessible and engaging information for online audiences. Gauge Public Perception: Analyze public opinion trends to understand how BPA's policies, programs, and decisions are perceived, using these insights to refine communication approaches. Navigate Crisis Communications: Play a critical role in our crisis communications team, helping to manage and implement communication plans during urgent events such as power outages, emergencies, or business disruptions. Cultivate Strategic Partnerships: Build and maintain robust professional relationships with media representatives, government agencies, industry partners, and other key stakeholders, proactively communicating BPA's activities and clarifying its positions. Support Executive Visibility: Coordinate and facilitate media interviews, public appearances, and press conferences for BPA executives and subject matter experts, ensuring seamless and effective external engagements. Are you ready to join a team that makes a difference? Requirements Conditions of employment In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically. You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully. Key Requirements: You must be a United States Citizen. This employer participates in the e-Verify program. Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements. You will be required to report in person to the official duty location. Conditions of Employment: Serves on the organization's on-call rotation for the after-hours media line, responding to media and stakeholder information inquiries related to system outages, emergencies, business continuity events or other news-worthy events that occur outside of normal business hours. Typically, staffing the line one week a month, which includes the weekend. Qualifications SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience 1) creating and distributing communication materials for the public, such as news releases, social media content, and talking points, to explain an organization's activities and viewpoints; and 2) acting as a media contact or spokesperson (e.g. responding to press inquiries, arranging interviews, and building relationships with journalists). "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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 qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position. Additional information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE EEO Policy: USAJOBS Center | Equal employment opportunity policy Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement. USAJOBS Center | Reasonable accommodation policy Reasonable Accommodation for USAHire: 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 reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations 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. 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 Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. Veterans Information: USAJOBS Center - Veterans Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Telework: https://www.opm.gov/telework/ Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ - Who must register: https://www.sss.gov/faq/#who-needs-to-register Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations. BPA strives to ensure a safe and positive work environment. We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.