Public Affairs Officer

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.

Duties

As the Public Affairs Officer, you will administer a comprehensive communications program to inform and engage the public, news media, community organizations, and other stakeholders about the work and priorities of the United States Attorney's Office. Typical work assignments will include: Planning, directing, and executing a public affairs program within the District to enhance public understanding of the District's initiatives and priorities and the Department of Justice's role in advancing the rule of law. Serving as the office's chief spokesperson and principal communications advisor to the United States Attorney and senior leadership on all matters involving media relations and public messaging, including coordinating with other public affairs staff at the Department of Justice and law enforcement partners. Drafting news releases, public statements, talking points, background information, and feature stories to provide to the news media and law enforcement community. Maintaining an updated Internet site and managing the District's social media accounts (i.e., Facebook, X, LinkedIn, etc.), developing content that advances office priorities and accurately describes the office's work to diverse audiences. Developing and maintaining effective and professional working relationships with print and broadcast media representatives and various special interest groups. Responding to a high volume of media queries and maintaining media contacts with local, regional, and national media outlets throughout the District. The incumbent also serves as the chief communications officer to various law enforcement partners regarding all communications matters involving federal criminal prosecutions in the District. Monitoring media coverage of events and preparing daily summaries of news reports about the District. Organizing and coordinating news media interviews and press conferences for the United States Attorney's Office, including media events involving multi-agency case announcements. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Qualifications

To qualify at the GS-13 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience organizing and executing complex and diverse communication strategies to promote programs, policies, and/or services of an organization or company; developing and transmitting public information to the press, public, or other entities; independently writing public communication materials (news releases, articles, fact sheets, speeches, blogs, web pages, etc.); and using social media to amplify such public communication materials and promote organizational goals. Selective Placement Factor: A selective placement factor is determined to be essential for successful performance in this position. Those candidates who do not meet the following selective placement factor will be rated "not qualified" for the position. Selective Placement Factor for the position: Experience promoting social media campaigns with a top 10 major U.S. media market, including an experienced-based understanding of utilizing social media to amplify an incumbent's feature stories. 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/.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Your complete application package (resume/supporting documentation, online questionnaire, and USA Hire Competency Based Assessment) will be evaluated and rated using 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 basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online 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. If it is determined you meet minimum qualification requirements, your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest quality category (i.e., Best Qualified). You will be rated on the following Competencies (see The OPM Website for definitions): Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Flexibility, Influencing/Negotiating, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, and Teamwork To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Other Information

Relocation Expenses: Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized. Relocation Incentives: Relocation incentives may be authorized if this position is determined to be difficult to fill, if supported by the skills of the selected candidate, and subject to the availability of funds. Recruitment Incentives: Recruitment incentives may be authorized if this position is determined to be difficult to fill, if supported by the skills of the selected candidate, and subject to the availability of funds. 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, genetic information, 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.