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Public Affairs Specialist (Legislative and External Affairs Officer)

Department of Commerce
Office of the Inspector General
This job announcement has closed

Summary

We are seeking highly motivated professionals to join our team. If you want challenging work and a chance to make a big impact, come join us at the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Commerce! We improve the effectiveness of the Department's programs and operations. We also investigate waste, fraud, and abuse in the Department and those who do business with it.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
05/06/2020 to 05/26/2020
Salary
$102,663 - $157,709 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Location
Washington, DC
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Travel may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Full-time
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
DOC-OIG-2020-0046
Control number
567531700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. citizens or U.S. Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required.

Duties

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As a Public Affairs Specialist, you will:

  • Assist in the development and implementation of a legislative strategy for the OIG based on insight developed through contact with congressional and other sources.
  • Assist OIG senior officials in the planning and development of OIG Congressional hearing testimony and associated background materials.
  • Establish and maintain professional relationships with congressional members, congressional staff, and various congressional committees that have oversight responsibilities for the Department of Commerce.
  • Assist OIG senior officials in the planning and execution of ongoing strategic congressional relations activities that provide OIG program information in both proactive and reactive modes, to Members of Congress and their staff.
  • Develop and maintain effective working relationships with members of the news media and other specialized groups interested in the programs, activities, and mission of the OIG.

These are the duties of this position at the GS-14. If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties, and will receive training to help you grow in this position.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Please refer to "Conditions of Employment."
  • Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
  • Must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals

This opportunity is also open to Status eligibles under Announcement DOC-OIG-2020-0044. Please refer to that announcement for details on open period, eligibility, and how to apply.

The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your resume.

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized experience: For the GS-14, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: experience monitoring legislative initiatives and active legislation, leading congressional engagements and managing correspondence. Examples of this experience may include:

  • Serving as the agency point of contact for Congressional committees and individual member offices to explain bureau policies and procedures, responding to inquiries, requests and correspondence regarding agency/bureau regulatory policies, programs, and actions; OR
  • Leading all aspects of responses to Congressional document requests and related briefings; OR
  • Preparing materials on programs and policies for presentation and/or use in briefings.

For the GS-13, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: experience monitoring legislative initiatives and active legislation, contributing to congressional engagements and correspondence. Examples of this experience may include:

  • Assisting the agency point of contact for Congressional committees and individual member offices to explain bureau policies and procedures, responding to inquiries, requests and correspondence regarding agency/bureau regulatory policies, programs, and actions; OR
  • Assisting the agency point of contact with responses to Congressional document requests and related briefings; OR
  • Assisting the agency point of contact in liaising with representatives of the media to provide timely and accurate explanations of agency announcements and activities; OR
  • Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of individuals within your organization.

Additional information

- We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. 
- Relocation expenses are NOT authorized.
- This is a non-bargaining unit position.
- A recruitment incentive may be offered. 
- Student loan repayment may be offered.
- We offer opportunities for telework.
- We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- A one year probationary period may be required.
- Must successfully complete a background investigation.
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
- Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
- Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9.  Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
- Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.
- Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
- Public Trust – Background Investigation will be required.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application includes your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a “not qualified” determination.

Rating: Your application will be evaluated in the following areas:

  • Communication Skills
  • Analytical Skills
  • Technical Skills

Category rating will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of three quality level categories, A, B, or C depending on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, and training related to this position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.

Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Preference-eligibles will be listed at the top of their assigned category and considered before non-preference-eligibles in that category.  Qualified preference-eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest category. 

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration.  You may be required to participate in a selection interview. 

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)) you must be assigned the middle category or better to be rated as “well qualified" to receive special selection priority.


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Office of the Inspector General

Come work for the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Commerce! Commerce works with businesses, universities, communities, and the Nation's workers to promote job creation, economic growth, sustainable development, and improved standards of living for Americans. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Commerce's programs and operations. The OIG also endeavors to detect and deter waste, fraud, and abuse. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the OIG has excellent work/life balance programs for its nearly 200 employees—including analysts, auditors, investigators, IT specialists, and attorneys—all dedicated to oversight and improvement of Commerce's programs.

Agency contact information

Applicant Call Center
Phone
304-480-7300
TDD
304-480-8725
Fax
202-482-3006
Email
docoiginquiries@fiscal.treasury.gov
Address
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
1401 Constitution Avenue N.W.
Washington, District of Columbia 20230
United States

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