Visual Information Specialist

Summary

The mission of the Congressional & Public Affairs (CPA) is to facilitate effective working relationships between OIG, Congress and the media, acting as a liaison with Congress and the media to explain OIG initiatives and programs and to promote the activities of all OIG offices.

Duties

The duties of the Visual Information Specialist GS-1084-14: Leads OIG's visual communication strategy - setting agency wide standards, advising senior leadership, and development of clear, compelling visual products. Designs and produces high-impact layouts, graphics, charts, illustrations, multimedia, and presentation materials; translates complex subject matter into accessible visuals; and maintains templates, style guides, and graphic standards. Manages multiple concurrent design projects from concept thorough final production-prioritizing workload, allocating resources, ensuring quality and timeliness, and aligning all outputs with communication objectives. Engages auditors, investigators, program officials, subject matter experts, senior leaders, internal offices, external partners, and media representatives to gather information, refine design concepts, negotiate decisions, and support effective information-sharing. Plans and drives long-term innovation in OIG's visual information program by evaluating emerging technologies, improving design capabilities and communication strategies, and performing additional duties that advance program effectiveness. Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements, including education, and any selective placement factors described below by the closing date of this announcement. If you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application. Time in Grade: For entry at the GS-14 level, you must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level. Time-in-grade documentation: When applying for a higher grade, if your SF-50's effective date is within the past year (52 weeks), it might not adequately verify you have met the 1-year time-in-grade requirement. Therefore, you should provide an SF-50 that clearly verifies you meet this requirement-such as a step increase SF-50. (Appropriate examples of SF-50s includes Promotions, Within-grade Grade/Range Increases, or any SF-50 with an effective date older than one year.) Applicants who have held a non-temporary General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must meet the time-in-grade restriction. You must also submit the most recent SF-50 dated within 52 weeks of the closing date for this announcement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you WILL lose consideration for this position. Education Requirements: This position has a Individual Occupational Requirement, as described below: Basic Requirements for Visual Information Specialist: 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 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 art work, charts, diagrams, dioramas, maps, slides, overlays, and other kinds of visual material for use in communicating information through visual means. AND MINIMUN QUALIFICATION: In order to qualify for the GS-14, you must meet the following: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one year (52 weeks) of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal government, obtained in either the private or public sector. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Mastery of communication principles, design methodologies, publication layout, and multimedia production sufficient to serve as OIG's technical authority for visual information. Ability to interpret and translate complex subject matter, such as audits, inspections, investigations, and policy analyses, into accurate and impactful visual materials for Congress, senior leadership, and the public. Expertise with advanced design tools (e.g., Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat Pro, Premiere Pro) and capability to produce original, high-quality visuals. Skill in influencing and persuading skeptical or uncooperative audiences to understand and adopt program results. Skill in the use of photography and videography equipment, including cameras, microphones, lighting setups, and teleprompters. Extensive knowledge of OIG mission areas, reporting requirements, and statutory oversight responsibilities. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you WILL lose consideration for this position. 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) is qualifying. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience. Non-competitive hiring authority eligibility documentation, if applicable. For information related to Schedule A hiring authority for individuals with disabilities visit OPM's hiring information site. Political Appointment: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political appointees. If you are currently or have been within the last five (5) years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Noncareer SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

Due to the education requirement of this position, an unofficial/official transcript must be submitted at the time of application. If transcripts are not received, you will be rated as ineligible. You MUST provide unofficial/official transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Transcripts must include the following information: name of accredited institution, list of courses with grades and credit earned for each course, quarter or semester hours earned, degree conferred and date, and the name and address of the school. If selected for this position, you will be required to provide an official certified copy of your transcripts before a start date will be established. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Accreditation: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course-by-course listing along with your application. If you fail to provide the required documentation, by the closing date of this announcement, you will not receive consideration. How You Will Be Evaluated

Applicants undergo a thorough, multi-stage evaluation process. Assessment is conducted according to the qualifications specified in the vacancy announcement. Application materials-including the resume, supporting documents, responses to the application questionnaire, and completion of all required assessments if applicable-will collectively determine each candidate's eligibility. Structured Resume Review: Subject matter experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. SMEs will review ONLY two (2) pages of your resume. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links, or QR codes embedded in your resume). Applicants passing the structured resume review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process. SME Structured Interview: You may be invited to participate in a structured interview with one or more Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to assess the required competencies for the position. Applicants who successfully pass the assessment(s) may be referred to the Hiring Manager for consideration. You must complete all required steps in the process, including submitting an application and resume and participating in the structured interview, to be considered for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Self Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Decision Making Reasoning The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13049055 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. Work Life Programs & Benefits - The Office of Inspector General offers many WorkLife programs such Fit Time, Alternative Work Schedules, Telework, Transit Subsidy, Tuition Assistance, Student Loan Repayment programs, Paid Parental Leave, Health Benefits, Life Insurance, Thrift Savings Plan, as well as Vision and Dental benefits. Other Information

Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination, in accordance with agency policy. For more information on veterans' preference click FedsHireVets - OPM.gov A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to complete pre-employment requirements within established timeframes, or failing to meet any pre-employment requirements, including failure to timely schedule and report to any of the scheduled appointments. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: 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 RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA 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, based on your adjudication decision. 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 RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), if applicble: This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/??????? Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP), if applicable: This program applies to Department of State employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: Meet CTAP eligibility criteria; Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement: Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DOS/OIG to share your application with other hiring managers in DOS/OIG for similar positions.