The Commission's Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA) is seeking a motivated and creative individual to join the OLPA team and assist the Director of OLPA in performing the public affairs duties of the office. The incumbent reports to the Director of OLPA.
Summary
The Commission's Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA) is seeking a motivated and creative individual to join the OLPA team and assist the Director of OLPA in performing the public affairs duties of the office. The incumbent reports to the Director of OLPA.
Assist the Director of OLPA, and OLPA staff in the development and implementation of the Commission's public affairs and outreach program.
Respond to requests for data, publications, and other material from the media, public, attorneys, the criminal justice community, and government agencies.
Maintain press and public contact databases.
Copy edit assigned agency public material for clarity, grammar, and style.
Design and coordinate production of Commission publications assigned by the Director of OLPA.
Write, edit and contribute to a variety of Commission materials, including newsletters, e-mail blasts, and some digital content.
Handle logistics associated with the printing and distribution of specific Commission publications, including press inspections and quality control of printed material.
Coordinate logistics for public hearings. Secure reservations for audiovisual needs, arrange for a court reporter, and provide site manager with details and requirements for the hearing room set-up.
Coordinate with the Senior Public Affairs Specialist on designing, editing, and producing some Commission publications as well as compiling and distributing press clips and items of interest throughout the Commission.
Assist in maintaining official set of Commission public comment, hearing transcripts, and meeting minutes.
OLPA is a fast-paced environment. The successful candidate will be expected to be flexible and efficient but creative and detail-oriented. The successful applicant should possess skillful knowledge and/or experience in as many of the following areas as possible: Microsoft Office applications, desktop publishing (Adobe InDesign and Creative Suite applications preferred), copyediting/proofreader's marks, the federal legislative process, and criminal justice policy.
MANDATORY QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must address the following KSAs in a cover letter or brief separate written narrative statement: (1) education and experience related to the mandatory qualification requirements, and (2) demonstrated experience in the following areas:
Ability to communicate in writing and orally.
Experience with desktop publishing software (such as Adobe InDesign).
Ability to design and copy-edit publications.
Ability to work effectively with others in a team environment.
Knowledge of public relations and communications matters and ability to develop and to execute strategic communications plans.
Ability to research, compile, and analyze information.
Ability to handle multiple assignments, focus on details, and produce precise work products in a timely manner to ensure deadlines are met.
Ability to handle high-level media and public inquiries and communicate effectively with the press and stakeholders.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience or an educational background in publishing, communication studies, journalism, public affairs, marketing, political science and government, or other related fields. Preference will also be given to applicants with demonstrated experience and training with e-mail blasts, social media content management tools, interactive software for charts and text, video editing, HTML/website content, and data visualization (using tools like GovDelivery, Hootsuite, TechSmith, Camtasia and Drupal). Familiarity with the federal criminal justice system and the federal legislative process a plus.
Education
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited university or college.
Preference will be given to applicants with an advanced degree in Communications from an accredited college or university.
Additional information
The Commission offers a monthly transit subsidy to employees who use mass transit to commute to and from work, subject to the availability of funds. The Commission offers alternative work schedules (AWS), which are fixed work schedules that enable full-time employees to complete the basic 80-hour biweekly work requirement in less than 10 workdays.
The Commission offers limited regular telework (not full-time) to employees in positions deemed eligible by the staff director and who meet the requirements of an approved telework arrangement in which an employee performs official duties at home or at an approved telework center. New employees are generally not eligible for telework during their first year of employment. Applicant must relocate to the Washington DC Metropolitan area.
The Commission also offers training opportunities to employees through the Judiciary and Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Online University, which offers academic credit and professional credit programs through web-based learning. This online training tool assists employees of the Commission with taking online courses in a flexible way, by offering training courses in the areas of: staff training and development; credit toward undergraduate degree programs; continuing education and non-credit certificate programs; executive education; contract training; credit credentials courses for continuing professional education and credit for individuals who hold credentials and achieve certifications associated with several globally-recognized sponsored organizations.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
This position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of positions in the competitive Civil Service.
All information is subject to verification. Applicants are advised that false answers or omissions of information on application materials or inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.
Selection for this position is contingent upon completion of OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment during the pre-employment process and proof of U.S. citizenship or, for noncitizens, proof of authorization to work in the United States and proof of entitlement to receive compensation. Additional information on the employment of non-citizens can be found at: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Employment_of_Non-citizens. For a list of documents that may be used to provide proof of citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, please refer to http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf.
A background security investigation is required for all selectees. Appointment will be subject to a selectee's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. A background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time.
All new Commission employees must identify a financial institution for direct deposit of pay before appointment, mandated by the Federal Compensation Act.
All new Commission employees, those converted from a temporary appointment to a permanent appointment, and all rehired former Commission employees are required to serve a one year probationary period. The probationary period begins on the effective date of the employee's appointment, conversion, or rehire.
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.
The Commission evaluates applicants through a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. Applicants who do not address the qualification requirements (mandatory and preferred) in his or her application materials as stated in the vacancy announcement are automatically disqualified from consideration and must re-apply before the closing date to be considered for employment.
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.
In order to be considered, all applicants must submit:
An electronic resume and cover letter that address all of the qualification requirements listed in this announcement, and if available, provide a recent job performance evaluation and college transcripts.
Applicants will also need to complete the online occupational questionnaire.
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.
United States Sentencing Commission
One Columbus Circle NE Suite 2-500
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Applicants who meet the mandatory qualification requirements will be considered and their application materials will be forwarded to the screening panel for review.
Applicants who do not meet the mandatory qualification requirements for the position are automatically disqualified from consideration.
In addition, some applicants may be tested using various assessment tools not listed on the vacancy announcement to verify an applicant's experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for consideration and selection.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
In order to be considered, all applicants must submit:
An electronic resume and cover letter that address all of the qualification requirements listed in this announcement, and if available, provide a recent job performance evaluation and college transcripts.
Applicants will also need to complete the online occupational questionnaire.
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.
United States Sentencing Commission
One Columbus Circle NE Suite 2-500
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Applicants who meet the mandatory qualification requirements will be considered and their application materials will be forwarded to the screening panel for review.
Applicants who do not meet the mandatory qualification requirements for the position are automatically disqualified from consideration.
In addition, some applicants may be tested using various assessment tools not listed on the vacancy announcement to verify an applicant's experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for consideration and selection.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
