Public Affairs Officer

United States Attorneys' Offices; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Attorneys' Offices seeks a Public Affairs Officer to run a comprehensive communications program, serving as chief spokesperson and advisor to the U.S. Attorney and senior leadership. You will coordinate with DOJ partners and manage media relations and public messaging.

You will draft news releases and statements, maintain the District's internet site and social media, and build strong relationships with media and community groups across the District.

Qualifications

• Experience organizing and executing complex and diverse communication strategies to promote programs, policies, and/or services.
• 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.).
• Using social media to amplify public communication and promote organizational goals.

Responsibilities

• Planning, directing, and executing a public affairs program to enhance understanding of the District's initiatives and DOJ's role.
• Serving as the office's chief spokesperson and principal communications advisor to the United States Attorney and senior leadership.
• Drafting news releases, public statements, talking points, background information, and feature stories.
• Maintaining an updated Internet site and managing social media accounts across platforms.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with media representatives and interest groups.
• Responding to high volumes of media queries and coordinating with local, regional, and national outlets.
• Monitoring media coverage and preparing daily summaries; organizing news media interviews and press conferences.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Social media management

Public speaking

Job description

Summary

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.

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

About

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.

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation
• You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

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/.

Education

Additional 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our 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.