Communications Director

Summary

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 via Merit Staffing procedures under 27-SDTX-13113973-MS

Duties

The Communications Director serves as the senior communications adviser and principal spokesperson USAO-SDTX, subject to the authority of the U.S. Attorney and applicable DOJ policies. The Director leads the Office's integrated communications strategy, public affairs operations, media relations, digital engagement, and public outreach. The Director serves on the Office's Executive Staff, advising the U.S. Attorney and senior leadership on communications strategy, media engagement, public messaging, emerging issues, reputational risks, and opportunities to advance the Office's mission. Executive Leadership and Communications Management Serve as a senior strategic adviser to the U.S. Attorney and Executive Staff on communications strategy, public affairs, media relations, and public messaging. Lead, supervise, develop, and evaluate assigned communications and public affairs personnel; establish strategic objectives, performance standards, priorities, and operating procedures. Manage personnel, resources, and operational priorities; recruit and develop talent; identify capability gaps; and recommend improvements in staffing, technology, and organizational effectiveness. Media Relations and Strategic Public Affairs Serve as the principal spokesperson for the Office and lead responses to local, regional, national, and international media inquiries. Develop and execute communications strategies for significant prosecutions, investigations, enforcement operations, civil litigation, policy developments, and other matters of public interest. Identify newsworthy developments, anticipate emerging issues, and translate complex legal proceedings and federal enforcement actions into clear, accurate, and compelling public communications. Build and maintain productive relationships with journalists, editors, producers, broadcasters, and other media representatives. Coordinate press conferences, interviews, media briefings, public statements, announcements, and other public-information activities. Develop and execute communications plans for breaking news, high-profile matters, and rapidly evolving events requiring immediate coordination and sound judgment. Monitor news coverage and emerging public narratives; identify inaccuracies, assess public understanding, and recommend appropriate responses. Interagency Coordination Serve as the principal communications liaison between USAO-SDTX and public affairs officials across federal, state, and local law-enforcement and governmental agencies. Coordinate regularly with communications personnel from partner law enforcement agencies. Develop coordinated communications strategies for joint investigations, prosecutions, enforcement operations, and other multi-agency matters, consistent with applicable authorities and disclosure restrictions. Advise DOJ officials and partner agencies on communications considerations involving significant cases, enforcement initiatives, and emerging public-safety issues. Community Engagement and Public Outreach Build and maintain productive relationships with community organizations, civic leaders, professional associations, victims' organizations, and other stakeholders throughout the District. Develop and oversee public-engagement initiatives that promote understanding of the Office's mission, federal law enforcement, public safety, and the rule of law. Represent the Office at public events, briefings, conferences, community meetings, and professional engagements. Evaluate outreach initiatives and recommend strategies to improve their effectiveness and reach. Digital Communications and Content Strategy Establish and lead the strategic vision for the Office's website, authorized social media accounts, digital publications, and other approved communications platforms. Serve as managing editor of the Office's digital content and oversee the development of press releases, executive remarks, public statements, photography, video, graphics, and other communications materials. Develop and execute an editorial strategy that effectively communicates the Office's mission, significant cases, enforcement results, and public-safety initiatives. Establish editorial calendars, publication standards, review procedures, and content workflows to ensure timely, coordinated, and high-quality communications across the District's seven divisions. Ensure digital communications are engaging, accessible, professionally produced, and consistent with the credibility and professionalism of a federal law-enforcement institution. Use analytics, media monitoring, and performance measures to evaluate audience reach, engagement, and communications effectiveness. Recommend and implement appropriate communications technologies and methods, consistent with Department of Justice policies, security requirements, accessibility standards, and available resources. Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Communications Director, at GS-1035-14, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below. GS-14: To qualify as a GS-14, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience: Leading strategic communications, public affairs, media relations, and stakeholder engagement programs for a large, complex organization; serving as a senior advisor to executive leadership on communications strategy, crisis communications, public messaging, and reputation management; acting as an organizational spokesperson and managing relationships with television, radio, print, digital, and national media outlets; planning and conducting press conferences, broadcast interviews, media briefings, and other high-profile public affairs activities; developing communications strategies for sensitive, controversial, or high-visibility issues; supervising communications professionals and managing communications operations; coordinating messaging with governmental and law enforcement partners; and directing digital communications, social media, multimedia content, and public information initiatives to support organizational objectives and increase public understanding of agency programs and accomplishments. 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/. You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the 11/27/2026 of this announcement. Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume. After you submit your application, you will receive notification indicated whether or not the USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 11/27/2026 to complete the assessment which is part of your application.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the application questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): If it is determined that you meet minimum qualification requirements and the technical or alternative assessment, your application will then be placed in one of three categories based on the assessment results: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories veterans' preference eligibles will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles. In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Your USAHIRE assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments. If you would like to preview the application questionnaire, please see: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13113972. Other Information

Payment of relocation expenses may be authorized in accordance with applicable regulations. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be considered as appropriate based on qualifications. 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/Policy: 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, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline. 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.