Clarification from the agency

Status Candidates (Career and Career Conditional), Noncompetitive Eligibles, Reinstatement Eligibles, ICTAP/CTAP Eligibles, and Eligible Veterans

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.

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.

The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship is required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Successful completion of a background investigation
• May be required to complete a one year probationary period

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.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification for GS-13: 

To qualify for the GS-13 grade level, all applicants must demonstrate one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade including:

1. analyzing written materials for adequacy; planning, editing, reviewing, and composing highly technical, complex, and sensitive reports of national significance;
2. conducting research and interviews to obtain specific information and facts; AND
3. collaborating with subject matter experts and/or sources to produce written products.

Click the link to view the qualification standards for the occupation.

How you will be evaluated

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

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. 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.

Your application will be evaluated under merit promotion procedures.  After the closing date of the announcement, we will review your resume per Category Rating or Numerical Scoring procedures to ensure that qualification and eligibility requirements are met. If we use the Category Rating procedure, and it is determined that you meet the minimum qualification requirements, your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified based on the degree that your application demonstrates possession of:

• Experience editing and composing highly technical investigative, audit, or evaluation reports.
• Experience editing or composing politically sensitive or controversial written products for release to public or media outlet
• Experience using visual design or graphics in written products published.

Your responses to the self-assessment questionnaire will be validated against your resume to determine if you meet the qualification requirements for this position. If a determination is made that qualifications and/or experience have been inflated, your score will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities.

To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/