As a Writer-Editor for the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of the Interior, you will work on challenging and diverse assignments and make a significant contribution on issues affecting the natural resources, environment, wildlife, energy policy, scientific research, American Indian and Alaska Native trust responsibilities, and cultural and historical heritage of our nation.
You will play an important role as part of a highly professional and collaborative editorial and communications team advancing the Office of Inspector General (OIG) mission, which is to provide independent oversight and promote excellence, integrity, and accountability in the programs and management of the Department of the Interior (Department).
This position reports directly to the OIG’s Communications and Reports Unit (CRU). CRU has the overall responsibility of managing, implementing, editing, producing, designing, and distributing audit, evaluation, inspection, and investigative reports and other products for the OIG. It is responsible for developing and implementing standards for style and visual identity, and developing, managing, and delivering training on effective writing, report process, and communication issues. CRU writer-editors work closely and continuously with audit and investigative staff and other OIG employees and managers on a wide variety of reports and products and play a leading role in content development of the OIG Web site and other internal and external communication functions identified by the OIG, including in Web-based formats.
The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
Summary
As a Writer-Editor for the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of the Interior, you will work on challenging and diverse assignments and make a significant contribution on issues affecting the natural resources, environment, wildlife, energy policy, scientific research, American Indian and Alaska Native trust responsibilities, and cultural and historical heritage of our nation.
You will play an important role as part of a highly professional and collaborative editorial and communications team advancing the Office of Inspector General (OIG) mission, which is to provide independent oversight and promote excellence, integrity, and accountability in the programs and management of the Department of the Interior (Department).
This position reports directly to the OIG’s Communications and Reports Unit (CRU). CRU has the overall responsibility of managing, implementing, editing, producing, designing, and distributing audit, evaluation, inspection, and investigative reports and other products for the OIG. It is responsible for developing and implementing standards for style and visual identity, and developing, managing, and delivering training on effective writing, report process, and communication issues. CRU writer-editors work closely and continuously with audit and investigative staff and other OIG employees and managers on a wide variety of reports and products and play a leading role in content development of the OIG Web site and other internal and external communication functions identified by the OIG, including in Web-based formats.
The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
As the selectee for this position, your work on a typical day in the Communications and Reports Unit may include:
Interacting with senior managers and other OIG officials in Washington D.C. and around the country on important audit and investigative reports, including assisting in formulating the message and approach for OIG products;
Collaborating with investigative, audit, and other teams throughout the agency to develop, write, edit, format, process, design, and prepare reports; edit correspondences; and create other publications and products to report on the work of the OIG. The work requires analysis and selection of facts drawn from different sources and synthesized into a unified presentation to deliver OIG’s findings and messages to Congress, the Department, and the public;
Analyzing, interpreting, and integrating written and visual information in print, digital, and Web-based formats;
Rewriting, reviewing, and processing reports and other products for logic, clarity, and completeness of argument;
Providing authors throughout the OIG with technical advice and assistance;
Assisting in developing editorial, digital, and other communication processes, procedures, and methodologies;
Researching and writing original articles on the wide-ranging activities of the OIG, including audit, investigative, and other mission-oriented work of the agency;
Advising the CRU Director and others on approaches to prevent adverse audience reaction or misunderstanding;
Assisting in the development of formal training materials, training exercises, and other materials on effective writing and communications for presentation to OIG employees;
Maintaining responsibility for the special consideration and treatment required of reports that are politically sensitive or controversial;
Being a part of challenging new assignments in a growing unit responsible for both external and internal communications throughout the OIG;
Other equally challenging and complex writer-editor assignments and projects related to the work of the OIG.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for the Selective Service
Successful completion of a background investigation
Position is subject to initial and random drug testing
May be required to complete a one year probationary period
More than one selection may be made within 90 days of the closing date
Time-In-Grade Requirement: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
Social Security Number: Your Social Security Number is requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you. Failure to provide your Social Security Number on your application materials will result in your application not being processed.
Reasonable Accommodation: This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Division of Human Resources, Work/Life Programs, at (703) 487-5408.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The Department of Interior, Office of Inspector General is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, political affiliation, union or non-union affiliation, sexual orientation, disability, or any other non-merit factors.
CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility: Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be rated at 85 or above on the rating criteria for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605 (a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.
E-Verify: DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
VEOA Eligibles: If applying under VEOA, you must include your DD-214, SF-15 and VA letter (if applicable). If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered active duty and the date you are separating. For more information on the VEOA, consult the Vets Guide at: Veteran's Guide.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications GS-13: To qualify for the GS-13 grade level, all applicants must demonstrate one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Experience applicable to this position includes analyzing reports for adequacy; planning, editing, reviewing, and composing highly technical, complex, and sensitive reports of national significance; conducting interviews to obtain specific information and facts; collaborating with report authors and others to produce actionable written products that meet organizational standards; and evaluating problems encountered in communicating programs and policies.
Click on the link below to view the qualification standards for the occupation: Qualification Standards
There is no educational substitution at the GS-13 level.
Education
Click on the link below to view the qualification standards for the occupation: Qualification Standards
There is no educational substitution at the GS-13 level.
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.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your experience (paid and unpaid), education, awards, and training and self-development as it relates to the position. If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position that you held. If your resume includes non-government service, including contractors, please include the salaries for each position held. All work experience should specify the length of time spent in the position and tour of duty (full or part time to include number of hours). One year of general or specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are pro-rated.
Your responses to the questionnaire and/or competency statements will be evaluated to determine the degree to which your skills match this position. Your responses to the self-assessment questionnaire will be validated against your resume to determine if you meet the qualification requirements for this position.
Candidates are required to possess certain Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the functions of this position. Candidates will be asked to demonstrate their attainment of these KSAs in an online job questionnaire. The KSAs are:
At the GS-13 level, the following KSAs are required for the writer-editor:
Knowledge of regulations and policies affecting Government publications
Knowledge of the principles, methods, practices, and techniques of communication that enable the writer-editor to function as a technical authority for the agency.
Ability to communicate complex ideas in writing, proofread, adapt, and edit written material to the use requirements of the audience.
Ability to collaborate on work products with multiple individuals at various levels within an organization to achieve results.
Ability to communicate orally to interview subjects and provide training.
Skill in researching information.
Knowledge of the basic concepts of electronic publishing and the Internet.
Knowledge of visual design and production principles and practices in print and digital formats.
NOTE: If a determination is made that qualifications and/or experience have been inflated, your score will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities.
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.
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.
All documentation, applicable to you, must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit the required documents will disqualify you from further consideration for this position.
Performance Appraisal:All current Federal employees and reinstatement eligible applicants must submit a copy of the most recent completed annual performance appraisal, including the final rating.
Resume: Your resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this vacancy announcement and OPM qualification standards for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. Insufficient information will result in an ineligible rating.
SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action: Documenting proof of competitive status, tenure, position, grade level and step. Please do not attach an SF-50 reflecting an award, unless it meets this criteria.
Veterans Preference documentation (if applicable): Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214-Member 4 copy), if applicable Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (SF-15) and an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying to the veteran's present receipt of compensation.
ICTAP/CTAP Eligible: Such as a RIF separation notice, certificate of expected separation, SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action stating you were separated by RIF, OR a letter from your agency documenting your priority consideration status.
Other Documentation: Supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment (e.g. severely disabled, eligible veterans, SF-50 etc.).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this job opportunity, you must submit a resume and an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS. This information will be transferred to the Department of Interior's OIG Automated Application System. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the following four-step application process: STEP 1: Select the "Apply On-line" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS. STEP 2: Submit a detailed resume or any other written format you choose documenting your job-related qualifications, experience, and education (if applicable). Cover letter is optional. If you submit a cover letter, you must also submit a resume. Please see the “How You Will Be Evaluated” section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume. STEP 3: Answer the eligibility and assessment questionnaires on-line through the automated application system. These questions will be used to evaluate your eligibility for this job opportunity. STEP 4: Submit all required documentation, applicable to you, listed in the Required Documents section of this job opportunity to the automated application system prior to the closing date of this announcement.
ALTERNATE APPLICATION PROCEDURES If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package by fax. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET, at least two working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Office of Inspector General
U.S. DOI - Office of Inspector General
1849 C Street, NW
Mail Stop 4428
Washington, District of Columbia 20240
United States
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the closing date of the announcement, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. You will be notified of your rating and/or referral of your resume to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. You will be informed of the outcome via e-mail. We expect to make a selection within 45 to 60 days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
All documentation, applicable to you, must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit the required documents will disqualify you from further consideration for this position.
Performance Appraisal:All current Federal employees and reinstatement eligible applicants must submit a copy of the most recent completed annual performance appraisal, including the final rating.
Resume: Your resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this vacancy announcement and OPM qualification standards for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. Insufficient information will result in an ineligible rating.
SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action: Documenting proof of competitive status, tenure, position, grade level and step. Please do not attach an SF-50 reflecting an award, unless it meets this criteria.
Veterans Preference documentation (if applicable): Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214-Member 4 copy), if applicable Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (SF-15) and an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying to the veteran's present receipt of compensation.
ICTAP/CTAP Eligible: Such as a RIF separation notice, certificate of expected separation, SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action stating you were separated by RIF, OR a letter from your agency documenting your priority consideration status.
Other Documentation: Supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment (e.g. severely disabled, eligible veterans, SF-50 etc.).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this job opportunity, you must submit a resume and an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS. This information will be transferred to the Department of Interior's OIG Automated Application System. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the following four-step application process: STEP 1: Select the "Apply On-line" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS. STEP 2: Submit a detailed resume or any other written format you choose documenting your job-related qualifications, experience, and education (if applicable). Cover letter is optional. If you submit a cover letter, you must also submit a resume. Please see the “How You Will Be Evaluated” section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume. STEP 3: Answer the eligibility and assessment questionnaires on-line through the automated application system. These questions will be used to evaluate your eligibility for this job opportunity. STEP 4: Submit all required documentation, applicable to you, listed in the Required Documents section of this job opportunity to the automated application system prior to the closing date of this announcement.
ALTERNATE APPLICATION PROCEDURES If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package by fax. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET, at least two working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Office of Inspector General
U.S. DOI - Office of Inspector General
1849 C Street, NW
Mail Stop 4428
Washington, District of Columbia 20240
United States
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the closing date of the announcement, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. You will be notified of your rating and/or referral of your resume to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. You will be informed of the outcome via e-mail. We expect to make a selection within 45 to 60 days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
