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Public Affairs Specialist

Legislative Branch
Library of Congress
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Incumbent of this position develops and writes information materials designed to reach selected national audiences through the news media such as wire services, radio, television, newspapers, and magazines. Represents the agency during personal interviews with the news and/or information media. Prepares in-depth, complex. analytical reports on orientations and briefings provided to various audiences. Independently drafts, edits, reviews, and proofreads a full range of informational and promotional materials. Develops and implements plans designed to enhance relationships with Library of Congress stakeholders. The incumbent writes and/or edits materials utilizing an extensive knowledge in a variety of subject areas to provide interpretation and explanation of a wide range of subjects in support of the Library of Congress mission.

This position is located in the Office of Communications and External Relations, Office of Communications, Office of the Librarian.

The position description number for this position is 012609.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.

The incumbent of this position will work a flextime work schedule.

This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
05/26/2017 to 06/12/2017
Salary
$79,720 to - $103,639 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington DC, DC
1 vacancy
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - OPEN
Service
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Announcement number
VAR000067
Control number
470716300

This job is open to

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Duties

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Independently drafts, edits, reviews, and proofreads a full range of informational and promotional materials (e.g., brochures, fliers. press releases, announcements, and letters). Materials may be characterized by unusual or complex details or requirements.

Prepares recommendations, reports, requisitions, memoranda, and other documentation associated with the development, production, and distribution of informational and promotional materials. Prepares recommendations and specifications for layout, typography, and design.

Develops and writes information materials designed to reach selected national audiences through the news media such as wire services, radio, television, newspapers, and magazines. Written materials include news releases, spot radio, and television announcements, fact sheets, feature stories, editorials for top agency managers, background statements, etc. Interviews and confers with management and other program specialists to obtain latest information for use in news releases, radio programs, articles, and meetings with news media representatives. Evaluates the impact and effectiveness of information materials designed to reach various audiences through the news media. Designs and prepares briefing materials using a variety of communication methods. Prepares detailed statistical reports concerning the dissemination of information. Develops articles, brochures, press kits, etc. Implements specialized media-related programs. Evaluates public resources and information and how they affect public perceptions and understanding of agency programs, policies, etc.

Develops and implements plans designed to enhance relationships with agency stakeholders and to Increase effectiveness in communicating media program goals, priorities and area(s) of concern. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships at multiple levels within Library programs in order to develop and disseminate coordinated messages that accurately address Library of Congress programs.

Prepares in-depth, complex analytical reports on orientations and briefings provided to various audiences. Develops complete articles, brochures, and fact sheets on own initiative. Works on the production of publications. Prepares standard speeches and talking points covering various topics.

Writes copy that is complex or controversial, targeting a diverse audience. Develops and synthesizes final copy based on material submitted by others. Frequently, the submitted material is in outline form or written for publication and hence requires extensive rewriting, reorganizing, and editing.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

No additional requirements to those listed above.

Qualifications

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

Knowledge of communication and public affairs principles, methods, and techniques.**

Ability to communicate in writing.**

Ability to interact collaboratively with others to provide liaison services.

Ability to present information orally.

Knowledge of the culture, media, and institutions of the assigned locality.

Additional information

Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid the minimum step of the grade.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. All who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of disability when applying for this position. The certificate of disability must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and may be issued by a State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, a Disability Services or Career Services Office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The date of certification must be within three (3) years of the vacancy closing date and must be submitted with your application. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Programs at 202-707-3960 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation.

The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. In addition, per Library of Congress Regulation 2010-12, an appointee or internal selectee is subject to a one-year supervisory probationary period, if this is his/her first supervisory/managerial position at the Library.

Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.

For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please see the Library of Congress Merit Selection Plan, Section X.D, at: http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment/msp010909.pdf.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection.
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