Public Affairs Specialist

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 eligible to apply through Merit Staffing procedures under 27-MT-13104600-MS.

Duties

If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for providing substantive legal support to the District of Montana. Typical work assignments will include: Arranges for press conferences on litigative cases of concern to the public by contacting appropriate representatives of local and national media. Participates in developing news releases, briefs news media representatives, and prepares written material for dissemination and publication. Plans, directs, and executes state-wide and national campaigns to convey complex and controversial information concerning United States Attorney's Office (USAO) initiatives, programs, and operations. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with members of the local and national news media, specialized groups interested in the USAO programs. Advises personnel in other federal agencies and Departmental components on carrying out community relations activities regarding USAO programs. Prepares magazine and newspaper articles for publication in national publications. Develops articles for Departmental distribution and other media as well as organizes press conferences and other media events to enhance the program's law enforcement message. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Qualifications

GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a combination of Education and Experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level. Examples of specialized experiences may include the following: arranging and conducting special public affair events, workshops, seminars, and meetings with various organizations; developing and implementing programs to inform and educate state-wide or federal audiences of various social economic group programs; speaking to law enforcement, the public, civil, and special groups of interest about law enforcement programs; applies media regulations to all press activities and handles media request inquiries; serving as a primary point of contact for a specific subject areas pertaining to law enforcement; providing or disseminating information orally (for example, responds to inquiries concerning claims status, law enforcement media inquiries, and provides job information). OR Education: Completed one of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Advertising & etc.): a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate degree; OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M, if related. Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: Have a combination of specialized experience and education described above that when combined equal 100% of the requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of 2 full years. 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

All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov OR Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.