The Office of Congressional and Public Relations is the focal point within the OIG for providing liaison with congressional committees and staff on OIG priorities, goals and work products, addressing media requests for information conducting legislative and regulatory analysis, coordinating through informational materials, special outreach and prevention activities.
Summary
The Office of Congressional and Public Relations is the focal point within the OIG for providing liaison with congressional committees and staff on OIG priorities, goals and work products, addressing media requests for information conducting legislative and regulatory analysis, coordinating through informational materials, special outreach and prevention activities.
Current/former Federal employees w/ competitive/reinstatement eligibility; ICTAP/CTAP eligibles must be in local commuting area; VEOA eligibles; pres/former PC personnel & volunteers; 30% or > compensable disabled vets; individuals with disabilities. Also advertised as job # DE-20-OIG-OCPR-43 for non-status applicants; to be considered for each, apply to BOTH jobs.
More than one position may be filled.
This position is located in the Office of Inspector General, Office of Congressional and Public Relations. The Office is the focal point within the OIG for providing liaison with congressional committees and staff on OIG priorities, goals and work products, addressing media requests for information conducting legislative and regulatory analysis, coordinating through informational materials, special outreach and prevention activities that call attention to fraud, waste, and abuse in DOL programs, managing the preparation, publication and distribution of the OIG Semiannual Report, and other OIG publications, and providing oversight or serving as the primary OIG focal point on external communication programs.
The incumbent functions as a program analyst and is responsible for supporting the full range of congressional and public affairs activities for the OIG, nationwide.
Duties:
Performs complex analytical work concerning the review of legislation, regulations and other materials that may impact DOL or OIG programs or operations; developing and coordinating congressional testimony that clearly state the OIG’s position on legislative or regulatory proposals or DOL programs or operations; preparing analyses on selected DOL or OIG program areas that can be used by OIG Executive staff for long-term project planning; and managing various aspects of the OIG's internal and external communications program as a lead analyst; and other special projects as assigned.
Manages all aspects of the Inspector General’s (IG) testimony before congressional committees including: developing and writing the IG’s written and oral statements; coordinating any necessary briefings between OIG Executive Staff and congressional Members or their staff; developing possible and anticipated questions and answers for use during hearings; and preparing briefing materials that include written, statistical, and/or visual information. The incumbent is also responsible for responding to any follow-up questions or requests for additional information from congressional committees on behalf of the IG.
Serves as information contact with the Congress, the media, and the public on OIG work products such as audits, investigations, or evaluations. This includes handling requests for often-detailed information from the print and electronic media about OIG audits, investigations, or evaluation work for reporters working under deadlines. Frequently, these requests are for explanations or interpretations about OIG work, or on the underlying policies and procedures. Hence, responses to such inquiries often requires a very extensive understanding of the many facts and details surrounding OIG audits, evaluations, and investigations, as well as a very good understanding of DOL program agencies’ operations and responsibilities.
Develops and coordinates for distribution OIG news releases on significant OIG work, drafts quotes for the IG, as necessary, and responds to follow-up inquiries from the media for additional information or clarification. The incumbent also manages and distributes various internal communications such as an electronic newsletter and compilations of congressional and regulatory documents.
Through a variety of electronic information sources, such as The Congressional Quarterly’s CQ Monitor Online, Westlaw, Thomas, and others; through various published and unpublished sources; and from information gleaned from the President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE), DOL program agencies, or Congressional committee contacts, the incumbent identifies, reviews, analyzes and then tracks selected, key legislative proposals that may have an impact on the OIG, the DOL or its program agencies, or on IG-wide or government-wide programs and operations. The incumbent fully coordinates and disseminates the information that has been developed and provides OIG management with a detailed understanding of any germane issues and the progress and prospects of these legislative proposals.
Manages and prepares congressional reports; responses to congressional requests and other high level correspondence and reports for the IG, DOL, Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), and interagency task forces and committees, as required.
Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
Requires a valid drivers license.
Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.
Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
Subject to financial disclosure requirements.
Applicants must meet time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment and qualifications requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the vacancy to be eligible for consideration for selection.
Federal Employees Please Note: Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met and reflects your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. competitive/excepted). In some cases you may need to submit more than one SF-50.
Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.
Qualifications
Required Specialized Experience: In addition, to qualify for this position, applicants must also demonstrate ANY of the specialized experience elements:
GS-12, Experience developing a variety of congressional reports; drafting congressional correspondence; maintaining liaison with congressional staff; responding to inquiries from the media; developing and coordinating distribution of news releases; drafting press quotes; serving as liaison to government agencies; and performing complex analytical work concerning the review of legislation, regulations and other materials.
GS-13, Experience developing a variety of congressional reports; reviewing, analyzing, and tracking legislative proposals; drafting congressional correspondence; maintaining liaison with congressional staff; developing and coordinating congressional testimony and briefings; responding to inquiries from the media; developing and coordinating distribution of news releases; drafting press quotes; serving as liaison to government agencies; and performing complex analytical work concerning the review of legislation, regulations and other materials.
NOTE: A writing sample may be required at the time of interview.
GS-12 level-Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-11, in the Federal Service.
GS-13 level-Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-12, in the Federal Service.
This position is outside the Bargaining Unit.
This position will not be filled until the Department's Placement Assistance Programs have been fully utilized.
Candidates required to obtain the necessary Security Investigation Level.
No Relocation will be offered.
No Permanent Change of Station will be offered.
Education
Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.
If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.
There is no substitution of education for the required specialize experience at the GS-12 level.
There is no substitution of education for the required specialize experience at the GS-13 level.
Additional information
DOL seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees’ differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve. DOL fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility and fairness so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.
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.
The Department of Labor (DOL) offers a great benefit package to eligible employees. The benefit package includes but is not limited to health benefits, supplemental dental and vision plans, flexible spending accounts, 13 days paid sick leave per year, vacation leave and 10 paid holidays per year. We offer a variety of employee benefit options, a family-friendly work environment, a child care subsidy program, transit subsidy program, career assistance program, health services and fitness programs, access to LifeCare, a resource and referral service and more. For a comprehensive site about all federal benefits, please refer to OPM. For specific DOL benefits information, please refer to DOL 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.
Click here for Evaluation details. For Displaced Employees ONLY: if you meet the eligibility requirements for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles will be considered "well-qualified" if they attain at least a rating score of 85 in a numerical rating scheme. Be sure to review DOL Account Eligibility Questions #24 to reflect that you are applying as a ICTAP or CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation.
Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:
Knowledge of Governmental Processes: Knowledge of Federal budget, legislative, administrative, regulatory, and other governmental processes.
Communications and Liaison: Knowledge of the development, communication, and dissemination of materials and information for use by the public, media congressional members and staffs, senior government officials, and other interested parties.
External and Organizational Awareness: Identifies and keeps up-to-date on key economic, political and social trends that affect the organization. Understands the organization’s mission and functions, which include strategic and operational goals, programs, policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, courtesy, sensitivity and consideration to the needs, feelings and capabilities of others; develops and maintains effective relationships with people of diverse backgrounds, as well as individuals who are appear difficult, hostile, or distressed.
Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others; attends to nonverbal cues and responds appropriately.
Problem Solving: Identifies, analyzes and/or provides solutions to organizational problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate alternative and make recommendations. Able to apply innovative solutions appropriately to make organizational improvements.
Self-Management: Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.
Writing: Recognizes and uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information, which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience.
The information you provide may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references and through other means (ex. interview). Your evaluation may also include a review by an HR Specialist or panel and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc.). The examining Office of Human Resources (OHR) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your vacancy question responses. If not, the OHR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume.
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.
The Department of Labor (DOL) offers a great benefit package to eligible employees. The benefit package includes but is not limited to health benefits, supplemental dental and vision plans, flexible spending accounts, 13 days paid sick leave per year, vacation leave and 10 paid holidays per year. We offer a variety of employee benefit options, a family-friendly work environment, a child care subsidy program, transit subsidy program, career assistance program, health services and fitness programs, access to LifeCare, a resource and referral service and more. For a comprehensive site about all federal benefits, please refer to OPM. For specific DOL benefits information, please refer to DOL 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.
The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Warning: If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission. Also, do not upload password protected documents.
The following documents are required from all applicants (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY):
ARE YOU A CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEE? If applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service, please provide a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action” which shows your appointment eligibility for the position for which you are applying. Your SF-50 must identify the highest grade you held on a permanent basis, Pay Plan/Pay Schedule, Series, and Grade/Pay Band, and career status. Multiple SF-50 may be submitted to demonstrate your highest previous rate and eligibility.
*WARNING: An award SF-50 (ex. cash or time off award) may not indicate grade, step and competitive status. For current DOL employees, an award SF-50 DOES NOT indicate grade and step.
- Resume are required to provide a resume by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of your choosing. Cover letters are optional. To receive full consideration for relevant and specialized experience, please list month, year, and the number of work hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to the vacancy questionnaire.
- Most recent performance appraisal/evaluation signed and dated within 18 monthsis requested by the agency, but will not disqualify candidates if not submitted. If not submitted during the application process, one may/will be requested at the time of the interview if the opportunity is extended. Applies to current and former Federal employees.
- Land Management Eligibles: a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent)proving your eligibility for appointment under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act. This service must have been performed in the competitive service, under a time limited appointment in a Land Management Agency, as defined by P.L. 114-328. For more information, click here.
The following documents are required if applicable:
- Displaced Employee Placement Documents - Only required if requesting priority consideration under ICTAP/CTAP Eligibility.
- DD-214 - verifying military service, eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) and showing character of discharge (ex. Member Copy 4 and 2 are acceptable vs. Copy 1 which is not acceptable to adjudicate veteran's preference)
- Applicants who are eligible for consideration, and wish to be considered, under one of the following non-competitive hiring authorities must submit appropriate documentation (click on the links below to see the documentation requirements):
- Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience, but may be submitted Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship, and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.
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 position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
Follow the steps below to apply. Your application and ALL required supplemental documents MUST be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the vacancy closing date to receive consideration. Paper applications and supplemental documents submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the vacancy contact will not be considered. Click here for information on Reasonable Accommodations.
SAVE your information before the 30 MINUTE TIMEOUT! For help, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/.
STEP 1 - Create USAJOBS Account on www.usajobs.gov, including Resume and Saved Documents Your resume must provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses in the self-assessment vacancy questions. If not, HR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the competency indicated by resume content. FOR EACH EMPLOYMENT PERIOD, include: start/end month & year and note full-time or part-time (if part-time, include # of hours worked per week); otherwise, your application may be considered incomplete.
STEP 2 - Complete the 1st part of the application process (USAJOBS) Once you have identified a job on www.usajobs.gov that you wish to apply for, click on the title and click the Apply button . For questions about the vacancy, contact the Agency Contact at the bottom of the announcement. Click “Start Application” and proceed through 5 steps noted at the top of the USAJOBS page. You will be able to select a resume and documents from your USAJOBS Account that you can submit as a package as part of your DOL application. At Step 5, click “Continue to Agency Site”.
STEP 3 – Complete the 2nd part of the application process (DOL) On the Department of Labor (DOL) page, create a DOL Account if you have not already and click “APPLY TO THIS VACANCY”. Continue through the 7 progress steps indicated by circles at the top of the DOL page. The 3rd progress step is where you answer the vacancy specific questions. The 4th progress step "Documents" is where you submit required documents (only if applicable to you) specified in the "Required Documents" section of this vacancy. If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission.
STEP 4 – On the “Review and Submit” step, click “Submit Application” The last “Confirmation” step will turn green noting that your application was submitted successfully.
STEP 5 - Edit Application as needed by 11:59 pm ET of Closing Date by returning to USAJOBS, clicking the vacancy, then “Update Application”.
Labor, Office of Inspector General
200 Constitution Ave., NW
Rm. S5020
Washington, District of Columbia 20210
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and refer candidates for selection consideration. Candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome. A selection is expected to be made within 30 calendar days from the issuance date of the certificate.
The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Warning: If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission. Also, do not upload password protected documents.
The following documents are required from all applicants (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY):
ARE YOU A CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEE? If applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service, please provide a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action” which shows your appointment eligibility for the position for which you are applying. Your SF-50 must identify the highest grade you held on a permanent basis, Pay Plan/Pay Schedule, Series, and Grade/Pay Band, and career status. Multiple SF-50 may be submitted to demonstrate your highest previous rate and eligibility.
*WARNING: An award SF-50 (ex. cash or time off award) may not indicate grade, step and competitive status. For current DOL employees, an award SF-50 DOES NOT indicate grade and step.
- Resume are required to provide a resume by creating one in USAJOBS or uploading one of your choosing. Cover letters are optional. To receive full consideration for relevant and specialized experience, please list month, year, and the number of work hours worked for experience listed on your resume. We suggest that you preview the online questions, as you may need to customize your resume to ensure that it supports your responses to the vacancy questionnaire.
- Most recent performance appraisal/evaluation signed and dated within 18 monthsis requested by the agency, but will not disqualify candidates if not submitted. If not submitted during the application process, one may/will be requested at the time of the interview if the opportunity is extended. Applies to current and former Federal employees.
- Land Management Eligibles: a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent)proving your eligibility for appointment under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act. This service must have been performed in the competitive service, under a time limited appointment in a Land Management Agency, as defined by P.L. 114-328. For more information, click here.
The following documents are required if applicable:
- Displaced Employee Placement Documents - Only required if requesting priority consideration under ICTAP/CTAP Eligibility.
- DD-214 - verifying military service, eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) and showing character of discharge (ex. Member Copy 4 and 2 are acceptable vs. Copy 1 which is not acceptable to adjudicate veteran's preference)
- Applicants who are eligible for consideration, and wish to be considered, under one of the following non-competitive hiring authorities must submit appropriate documentation (click on the links below to see the documentation requirements):
- Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience, but may be submitted Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship, and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.
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 position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
Follow the steps below to apply. Your application and ALL required supplemental documents MUST be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the vacancy closing date to receive consideration. Paper applications and supplemental documents submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the vacancy contact will not be considered. Click here for information on Reasonable Accommodations.
SAVE your information before the 30 MINUTE TIMEOUT! For help, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/.
STEP 1 - Create USAJOBS Account on www.usajobs.gov, including Resume and Saved Documents Your resume must provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses in the self-assessment vacancy questions. If not, HR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the competency indicated by resume content. FOR EACH EMPLOYMENT PERIOD, include: start/end month & year and note full-time or part-time (if part-time, include # of hours worked per week); otherwise, your application may be considered incomplete.
STEP 2 - Complete the 1st part of the application process (USAJOBS) Once you have identified a job on www.usajobs.gov that you wish to apply for, click on the title and click the Apply button . For questions about the vacancy, contact the Agency Contact at the bottom of the announcement. Click “Start Application” and proceed through 5 steps noted at the top of the USAJOBS page. You will be able to select a resume and documents from your USAJOBS Account that you can submit as a package as part of your DOL application. At Step 5, click “Continue to Agency Site”.
STEP 3 – Complete the 2nd part of the application process (DOL) On the Department of Labor (DOL) page, create a DOL Account if you have not already and click “APPLY TO THIS VACANCY”. Continue through the 7 progress steps indicated by circles at the top of the DOL page. The 3rd progress step is where you answer the vacancy specific questions. The 4th progress step "Documents" is where you submit required documents (only if applicable to you) specified in the "Required Documents" section of this vacancy. If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission.
STEP 4 – On the “Review and Submit” step, click “Submit Application” The last “Confirmation” step will turn green noting that your application was submitted successfully.
STEP 5 - Edit Application as needed by 11:59 pm ET of Closing Date by returning to USAJOBS, clicking the vacancy, then “Update Application”.
Labor, Office of Inspector General
200 Constitution Ave., NW
Rm. S5020
Washington, District of Columbia 20210
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and refer candidates for selection consideration. Candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome. A selection is expected to be made within 30 calendar days from the issuance date of the certificate.
