Public Affairs Specialist

Summary 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. Learn more about this agency 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. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen or National Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period. You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (Sensitive Compartmented Information) security clearance. Qualifications 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/. Education Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted. Additional information Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized. The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov. Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. EEO Statement: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. Political Appointees (Current or Former): 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 or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service. 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.