This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/608284600. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
This position is located in the Office of Inspector General (OIG), Immediate Office, Congressional, Public Affairs, and Communications Services which is responsible for coordinating communications between the OIG and its staff, Congress, the media, and the general public. The team produces statutory reports such as the Semiannual Report to Congress, content on the OIG public-facing website, the OIG’s podcasts, and other audio-visual content.
Learn more about this agency07/21/2021 to 08/03/2021
$87,198 - $134,798 per year
GS 12 - 13
1 vacancy in the following location:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time
Competitive
13
No
Yes
OIG-HQ-2021-0060
608284600
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is or was, working overseas.
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
Current federal civilian employees in the competitive service on permanent career or career-conditional appointments • Former federal employees with reinstatement eligibility • Current federal employees eligible under Interchange Agreements • Applicants eligible under special hiring authorities (Schedule A, etc.). If you do not meet one of these categories, you may apply under the concurrently advertised vacancy announcement: OIG-HQ-2021-0059, which is open to all US Citizens.
The Inspector General of the Department of Education (Department) heads an independent and objective organization responsible for audit, investigation, and other services related to programs and operations of the Department. The Inspector General provides leadership and coordination and recommends policies for activities designated to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of programs and operations, as well as to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in such programs and operations. The Inspector General is the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Department on the above matters and is responsible for keeping the Secretary and Congress fully and currently informed about problems and deficiencies relating to the administration of the Department’s programs and operations and the necessity for and progress of corrective action.
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) consists of the following five components:
• Immediate Office of the Inspector General
• Audit Services
• Investigation Services
• Information Technology, Audits, and Computer Crime Investigations
• Management Services
Within the Immediate Office of the Inspector General is the Congressional, Public Affairs, and Communications Services team. The team coordinates communications between OIG and its staff, Congress, the media, and the general public. The team produces statutory reports such as the Semiannual Report to Congress, content on the OIG public-facing website, the OIG's podcasts, and other audio-visual content. The team also provides editing services, graphic design, template maintenance, and oversight of publications policies and procedures for the OIG.
As a Public Affairs Specialist at the GS-12 level, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
Coordinates communications with and, responds to requests for information from the Congress, press, and public.
Participates in and coordinates briefings with Congress and news media representatives on the OIG’s work and efforts.
Maintains liaison with Congress and media agency personnel to ensure an effective working relationship.
Conducts research, including news articles, Congressional legislation, State legislation, reports from Federal and State governments and organizations, and social media.
Drafts reports for Congress, assists with preparing written testimony, talking points, statements, and other related documents for senior OIG leadership for use when addressing members of Congress and congressional staff or the media.
Writes content for and distributes a variety of communications for internal and external audiences, including content for social media, internet, intranet, newsletters, brochures, fact sheets, text for graphics, presentations, talking points, and other items as needed.
As a Public Affairs Specialist at the GS-13 level, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
Drafts reports for Congress, prepares talking points, statements, and other related documents for senior OIG leadership for use when addressing members of Congress and congressional staff or the media.
Creates reports, analyzes data, draws conclusions, use organizational skills and professional judgment, and uses plain language so that various audiences can clearly understand.
Participates in and coordinates briefings with Congress and news media representatives on the OIG's work and efforts.
Maintains liaison with Congress and media agency personnel to ensure an effective relationship.
Conducts research, including new articles, congressional legislation, State legislation, reports from Federal and State governments and organizations, and social media.
Leads content development for the OIG's online presence, working directly with Communications team members and other OIG component staff to develop written content for OIG social media platforms, its public website, and its internal website.
As an OIG liaison for public information on the web, ensures that information shared on the website is accurate and consistent with established guidelines and regulations.
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
If you are a current federal employee, you must meet all time-in-grade and time-after competitive appointment qualifications within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To verify that you meet these requirements, we will review your responses to the core eligibility questions on the occupational questionnaire, as well as your submitted resume and required documents. To make an accurate determination, you will need to include on your resume your federal position title, pay plan, occupational series, grade level, agency, dates for which you held the grade level (stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, OR MM/YYYY to PRESENT), and total hours worked per week.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).
Minimum Qualifications:
Specialized Experience for the GS-12:
One year of specialized experience to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the federal services that has equipped you with particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the three following duties or work assignments below:
1. Experience in coordinating congressional activities, such as responding to requests for information from the Congress, summarizing hearings, tracking and analyzing legislation.
2. Experience in coordinating media affairs, including responding to inquiries from reporters and writing press releases.
3. Experience in writing a variety of products (including brochures, fact sheets, flyers, letters) for external and internal audiences, including website and social media content.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).
1. Knowledge of and experience in communicating with the U.S. Congress, the media, and the general public on behalf of an organization.
2. Knowledge and experience in conducting research and analyses from a variety of sources and solving complex inquiries from Congress, the media, and the general public.
3. Knowledge and experience in developing content for social media and, website platforms.
Specialized Experience for the GS-13:
One year of specialized experience to at least the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the federal services that has equipped you with particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the three following duties or work assignments below:
1. Experience in handling congressional activities, such as responding to requests for information from the Congress, writing congressional testimony, leading meetings, summarizing hearings, tracking and analyzing legislation.
2. Experience in media affairs, including responding to inquiries from reporters, acting as spokesperson, writing and disseminating press releases and press statements.
3. Ability to conceptualize and produce a variety of products (including brochures, fact sheets, flyers, and reports) for a variety of external and internal audiences, including content for websites and social media platforms.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement).
1. Expert knowledge of and experience in communicating with the U.S. Congress, the media, and the general public on behalf of an organization.
2. Knowledge and experience in conducting research and analyses from a variety of sources and solving complex inquiries from Congress, the media, and the general public.
3. Knowledge and experience in developing content for social media and, website platforms.
4. Mastery knowledge of and the ability to write and edit a variety of written professional products, including reports, fact sheets, talking points, and newsletter articles, in a manner suitable for the intended audience.
Veterans’ Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email sro_recruiting@ed.gov to schedule a session with a career counselor (“Veterans Counseling Session” should be placed in the subject line of the email).
Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment.
Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check.
Essential/Non-Essential: This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures.
Financial Disclosure: This position does not require financial disclosure.
Telework: During the current period of mandatory telework required by the Agency’s COVID-19 response, telework will be mandatory. When it is determined the Agency will be moving to the reopening phase, employees will be expected to physically return to the office of their official duty locations. Telework days and any required waiting period for eligibility will be determined at that time.
Bargaining Unit: This position is not included in the bargaining unit.
Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency.
INCLUDE ANY OTHER SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT OR WORKING CONDITIONS (e.g., required tour of duty, extensive travel requirements, expected overtime, etc.)
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We use a multi-step process to review and evaluate applicants:
1. Eligibility and Minimum Qualifications
Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your submitted resume and documents to determine if you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, including any required education, experience, and/or selective placement factors. You will be rated as ineligible if you are outside of the area of consideration (i.e., who may apply) or your application is missing any required documents. You will be rated as not qualified if you do not possess the minimum qualification requirements.
2. Rating and Ranking
If you are found to meet both the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, we will assess the quality of your experience and the extent to which you possess the required KSAs by comparing your submitted resume and documents against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. (The occupational questionnaire is the list of questions in the automated system that you will have an opportunity to answer once you apply for the position).
Based on the outcome of this evaluation, you will be assigned a numerical score (out of 100 possible). If your responses to the occupational questionnaire are not substantiated by your submitted resume, you may be eliminated from receiving further consideration.
3. Referral and Selection
If you are found to be amongst the most highly qualified applicants, you will be referred to the selecting official. As part of the assessment and selection process, the selecting official may invite you to participate in a structured interview, check your references, and/or request that you submit a writing sample or complete a written assessment or exercise to further evaluate your qualifications for this position.
You must submit (REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS):
• A resume demonstrating your education, experience, training, and accomplishments as it relates to the qualifications for this position and substantiating your responses to the occupational questionnaire.
institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts. This also applies to ED employees.
If you are a current or former federal employee (including current U.S. Department of Education employees), you must also submit:
• A Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), which demonstrates your competitive status eligibility. To verify your eligibility, we will review your SF-50 to determine your tenure (block 24) and position occupied (block 34). Examples of sufficient SF-50s include appointments, promotions, within-grade increases, and pay adjustments.
If you currently hold or previously held a federal position at or above the highest grade of this position or you have/had promotion potential at or above the highest grade of this position, you must also submit an SF-50 documenting your highest grade level held or promotion potential. Examples of sufficient SF-50s include appointments and promotions.
• A Copy of your Performance Appraisal and Awards, as applicable. Your performance appraisal and awards are requested to further assess the quality of your experience should your application be referred to the selecting official.
If you are claiming eligibility under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), you must submit:
• A copy of your DD-214 that shows active service and character of discharge, member copy 4 (Separated Members only); OR
• A certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days from the date of application (Current Active Duty Members only); AND/OR
• The Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (SF-15) AND all documents indicated on the form as proof of type of preference.
If you are claiming eligibility under any Special Hiring Authority, you must submit:
• Adequate proof of your eligibility (e.g., Documentation of noncompetitive eligibility as a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Documentation of noncompetitive eligibility for employment under Schedule A as a person with severe physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and intellectual disabilities.)
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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.
Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov.
Step 2: Create a resume using the USAJOBS resume builder. Ensure that your resume demonstrates your education, experience, training, and accomplishments as it relates to the qualifications for this position and substantiates your responses to the occupational questionnaire.
Step 3: Upload any required documents into your USAJOBS account (must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX)).
Step 4: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire and attach any required documents. Verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the agency's hiring system. You will have the opportunity to upload any additional required documents in the agency's hiring system. Click “Finish” to submit your application.
NOTE: You may update your application or required documents at any time while the announcement is open by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking on "Application Status," clicking on the position title, clicking "Update Application,” and following the prompts.
In order to receive consideration for this position, you must submit your complete application, including all required documents, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If the vacancy announcement has an application limit, we recommend that you submit your complete application at the time of initial application. We will not accept any required documentation after the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
As an applicant, you may check your application status through your USAJOBS account at any time. We will also notify you via email of your application status at three key stages in the recruitment process.
1. Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will inform you that your application has been received.
2. After we review your submitted resume and supporting documentation, we will inform you if you are eligible and qualified, if your application was referred to a subject matter expert or panel of subject matter experts for further evaluation, and if you were amongst the most highly qualified candidates referred to the selecting official.
3. Finally, we will inform you of your final disposition for this announcement (e.g., if/when a selection is made, if/when the announcement is cancelled).
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/608284600. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) promotes the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of ED programs and operations by conducting independent audits, investigations, and other activities. The OIG focuses on protecting the integrity of ED and works to prevent and detect fraud and abuse. The OIG's work contributes to strengthening federal education programs.