Public Affairs Specialist

Summary

The Library of Congress shares its vast collections of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, audiovisual materials, and priceless artifacts to cultivate curiosity and spark imagination. We engage, inspire, and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity. We seek highly talented professionals to join a vibrant and collaborative community. Your work here will have lasting impact on the Library and its users well into the future.

Duties

This position is located in the Planning, Analysis, and Communications Office, Library Collections and Services Group (LCSG). The Planning, Analysis and Communications Office support LCSG's and the Library's mission by leading and/or coordinating initiatives that impact collections and services across multiple service units, including: leading LCSG's Directional Planning and communications programs, as well as providing cross-organization program assessment and analysis. The office facilitates the continued provision by the Library of vital services to various user groups; and contributes to LCSG and the Library's mission to build, describe, share, and steward a universal collection of knowledge that meets current and future needs of its users. As the Public Affairs Specialist, you will: Write, edit and design news releases, website content, and newspaper and magazine style pieces suitable for publication. Write and edit responses to Congressional questions, talking points, briefing materials, and other written materials for use or publication within and/or outside of the Library. Collaborate with communications staff within and outside of LCSG, as well as engage in direct, telephone or email contact with members of the media. Write briefing documents, news releases, articles or op-eds to be proposed for publication, and website material using a voice and terminology appropriate to the situation or the audience. Provide recommendations for new projects and shifts in program objectives. Analyze staff, public, and media reaction to the Library's programs and policies and develops strategies to let the Library establish, maintain and build on positive perception of its programs, policies, services and activities. Develop new ways to gather input from individuals and groups, some of which have conflicting views and interests. Manage multi-format outreach programs for a specific set of Library programs and issues, identifying opportunities to reach new audiences with information and content developed in consultation with various Library staff, and suggesting improvements for future programs as needed. Perform other duties as assigned. The position description number for this position is 434263. The incumbent of this position will work a Flexitime work schedule. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. Requirements

Conditions of Employment Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment. Qualifications

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision. Knowledge of communication and public affairs principles, methods, and techniques.** Ability to communicate in writing.** Ability to develop and maintain relationships, interact collaboratively, and convey information through briefings, consultations, and other presentations.** Ability to research, analyze, evaluate, and make recommendations to improve program effectiveness. Ability to utilize computer technology/software applications. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

How You Will Be Evaluated

The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection. You may preview questions for this vacancy. Other Information

Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade. The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see: Vetting Process This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email [email protected]. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-707-6024 or email [email protected]. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM. The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement. Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement. The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit. Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.