Public Affairs Specialist

United States Attorneys' Offices; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Attorneys' Office for the Western District of Washington is seeking a Public Affairs Specialist to plan, coordinate and disseminate public information within the district and beyond. You will develop materials for the press, write speeches, and advise staff appearing before media outlets.

You will establish professional relationships with media representatives and coordinate communications on case milestones, while managing a range of public information duties for the Office.

Qualifications

• GS-13: to be qualified 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; developing and transmitting public information to the press, public, or other entities, as a spokesperson for an organization; independently writing, editing, and preparing public communications materials (news releases, fact sheets, speeches, blogs, web pages, etc.).
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) eligibility provides selection priority for well-qualified candidates with proof of ICTAP eligibility.
• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) eligibility provides selection priority for well-qualified candidates with proof of CTAP eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Public Affairs Specialist for the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington.
• Plan, coordinate, and disseminate public information inside the district and beyond, and study issues of concern to the Office.
• Establish and maintain relationships with print and broadcast media representatives and provide timely case milestone information and press responses.
• Develop and write materials for the news media and legal community, such as news releases, background information, and biographical material.
• Write and edit articles and speeches for the Office.
• Advise, prepare, and brief office personnel who appear before the media.

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. This position is also being announced to applicants eligible to apply through Merit Staffing procedures under 26-WAW-13040724-MS.

Duties

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Responsibilities

If selected, you will serve as the Public Affairs Specialist for the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington. You will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and disseminating public information inside the district and beyond, as well as undertaking studies on issues of concern to the United States Attorney's Office. Typical assignments will include:

• Establishing and maintaining effective and professional working relationships with print and broadcast media representatives, assuring that both receive accurate and timely case milestone information along with timely responses from the U.S. Attorney's Office to press inquiries;
• Developing and writing materials to be provided to the news media and legal community, such as news releases on breaking and feature stories, background information, biographical material, articles on office program commitments and priorities, and annual reports;
• Writing and editing articles and speeches for the U.S. Attorney's Office;
• Advising, preparing, and briefing office personnel who appear before the media;
• Supervising and assisting in obtaining, collecting, and/or reviewing all significant local, regional, and national newspapers, legal publications, general periodicals and regional and national television broadcasts; and
• Maintaining contact with public affairs offices and personnel in other federal, state, and local agencies who interface with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington on cases of mutual interest.

Requirements

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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

GS-13: To be qualified 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, as a spokesperson for an organization; independently writing, editing, and preparing public communications materials (news releases, fact sheets, speeches, blogs, web pages, etc.); advising senior level management on news of interest; and maintaining effective and professional working relationships with print and broadcast media representatives. 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

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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. A relocation incentive may be considered as appropriate based on qualifications. Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized. 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. Help 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.