Incumbent serves as editor and lead writer for USAGM; written material includes speeches, white papers, factsheets, prepared remarks and related material for publication and internet distribution. The Communications Specialist, Writer-Editor will work with the Director of Public Affairs to plan and manage the overarching vision that comprises all of the agency's external content.
Summary
Incumbent serves as editor and lead writer for USAGM; written material includes speeches, white papers, factsheets, prepared remarks and related material for publication and internet distribution. The Communications Specialist, Writer-Editor will work with the Director of Public Affairs to plan and manage the overarching vision that comprises all of the agency's external content.
Develops executive communications (speeches, presentations, round-tables, fact sheets, whitepapers, etc.) for senior level USAGM officials. Structures the speech to the audience and sets the appropriate context and tone for the event. Develops content to explain important and complex policies to key stakeholders including Capitol Hill and media industry leaders.
Structures the speech to the audience and sets the appropriate context and tone for the event.
Develops content to explain important and complex policies to key stakeholders including Capitol Hill and media industry leaders.
Serves as writer and editor, with responsibility for establishing and enforcing guidelines for the editorial tone and style of all communications content:
Works with the OPA team to develop and manage a plan to keep content fresh and current.
Provides editorial oversight and support on all major external communication materials
Reviews and edits all OPA materials for grammar, punctuation, spelling and style.
Provides quality review and control over all documentation and presentation materials.
Serves as a technical expert on written and editorial policy.
Updates and maintains USAGM's style guide on grammar, punctuation and word usage.
Works with the Director of Public Affairs to support public relations, communications, and campaigns.
Leverages creativity, analytical thinking, a succinct writing style, and the ability to work independently with little oversight.
Assignments at GS-13 will be structured to develop incumbents to perform at the target level, as described above.
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by closing date of the announcement to be considered.
Applicants must complete online questionnaire.
If you are a male applicant, born after 12/31/59, you are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act. The Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
This is a public trust position. If selected, this position requires the completion of the SF-85.
Suitability Determination: If selected, you will be subject to a security investigation to establish your suitability for federal employment. The security investigation will include, among other aspects, a review of your credit and legal history.
This position is not covered by a Union Agreement
If selected for this vacancy, you will be required to file the OGE Form 450 (Confidential Financial Disclosure Report).
The full performance grade level for this position is GS-14.
Noncompetitive eligible (Schedule A, former VISTA/Peace Corps) and status applicants who wish to apply under merit promotion, including those eligible to apply from other Merit Systems and VEOA should apply to announcement # ST-11245064-21-RD.
Qualifications
GS-14:
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-13, which is directly related to this line of work. Specialized experience at this level includes writing and editing speeches, testimony, presentations, and similar materials that are delivered by Federal agency and/or corporate managers and executives to Congress and/or nationally significant audiences and/or disseminated as definitive agency or corporate content in agency or corporate publications or through internet, radio, or TV distribution channels. Specialized experience must also demonstrate a knowledge of major media news distribution involving current events, U.S. foreign policy, and international affairs to write and edit authoritative speeches and similar materials on these topics, as found in major news TV and radio networks, equivalent to the U.S. Agency for Global Media and in national newspaper and magazine publication companies.
GS-13:
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-12, which is directly related to this line of work. Specialized experience at this level includes writing and editing speeches, testimony, presentations, and similar materials that are delivered by Federal agency and/or corporate managers and executives to diverse audiences and/or disseminated as definitive agency or corporate content in agency or corporate publications or through internet, radio, or TV distribution channels. Specialized experience must also demonstrate a knowledge of major media news distribution involving current events, U.S. foreign policy, and international affairs to write and edit authoritative speeches and similar materials on these topics, as found in major news TV and radio networks, equivalent to the U.S. Agency for Global Media and in national newspaper and magazine publication companies.
Education
Applicant cannot substitute education for experience.
Additional information
If you are an eligible Inter agency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicant, you may apply for special selection over other candidates for this position. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 80 or above on the rating criteria for this position. ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) documenting separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.
Applicants claiming veteran's preference must submit a DD-214 (copy # 2 or 4 - member copy); veterans who are claiming disabled veteran preference must also submit a VA disability letter and a SF-15; AND, applicants seeking widow or other special veterans preference must submit a SF-15 and all documents indicated for their specific form of preference.
If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your Personnel Command which states the date you entered active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received.
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.
Once your resume or application is submitted, a review of your qualifications will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements and competencies required for this position.
Competencies:
Attention to Detail
Communications and Media
External Awareness
Strategic Thinking
Written Communication
Possession of competencies may be addressed in a cover letter and/or resume. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The numeric rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your qualifications. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. You will then be placed in one of three rating categories:
Qualified Category
Well Qualified Category
Best Qualified Category
Application of Veterans' Preference: Category Rating does not add veterans' preference points, but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more will be placed at the top of the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher). Preference eligibles who do not have a service-connected disability of 10 percent or more will be assigned to the appropriate quality category based upon the job-related assessment and will be listed ahead of nonpreference eligibles within the appropriate quality category.
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.
All applicants are required to submit the following supporting document type(s):
Resume
Applicants may also submit the following supporting document type(s), which may not be required for all applicants:
Cover Letter
DD-214/ Statement of Service
Disability Letter (VA)
Documentation supporting CTAP/ICTAP eligibility
Documents required to support special veterans' preference (See SF-15)
PCS Orders
Resume
Separation Notice (RIF)
SF-15
Although the required documents listed in this announcement only indicates that a resume is required, other documents may be required in specific circumstances, as indicated in application requirements in Other Information above.
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach the member copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also attach an Application of 10-Point Veterans' Preference (SF-15) plus the proof required by that form. If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your Personnel Command which states the date you entered active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you cannot complete the Application Package online, please contact the Human Resource office.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents and any appropriate Accepted Documents.
To begin, click Apply in the announcement; then, choose to create a new USAJOBS account or Sign-in into your existing account.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before submitting it. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After completing the questionnaire and uploading appropriate documents, click the Submit Application to submit your application package.
It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume, veteran's documentation, completed assessment questionnaire, and SF-50's) are accurate and were submitted before 11:59 PM (EST) on10/08/2021 of the announcement to receive consideration.
Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. If a document is not in legible format, applicant will not be able to view it in Application Manager which means applicant must again upload or fax the documentation by the closing date of this announcement.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account. The page will display the positions for which you've applied as well as the status of each application.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click on the plus sign (+) next to the job title to expand information about the job. Next click on Update Application to complete the application process.
Note: Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described previously. Please carefully review the complete job announcement, including the Required Documents, Other Information, and How to Apply sections of the announcement.
Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail or e-mail. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.
Communications and External Affairs
330 Independence Avenue SW
Room 4700 Cohen Building
Washington, DC 20237
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
All applicants are required to submit the following supporting document type(s):
Resume
Applicants may also submit the following supporting document type(s), which may not be required for all applicants:
Cover Letter
DD-214/ Statement of Service
Disability Letter (VA)
Documentation supporting CTAP/ICTAP eligibility
Documents required to support special veterans' preference (See SF-15)
PCS Orders
Resume
Separation Notice (RIF)
SF-15
Although the required documents listed in this announcement only indicates that a resume is required, other documents may be required in specific circumstances, as indicated in application requirements in Other Information above.
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach the member copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also attach an Application of 10-Point Veterans' Preference (SF-15) plus the proof required by that form. If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your Personnel Command which states the date you entered active duty, the date you are separating, and the campaign medals you have received.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you cannot complete the Application Package online, please contact the Human Resource office.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents and any appropriate Accepted Documents.
To begin, click Apply in the announcement; then, choose to create a new USAJOBS account or Sign-in into your existing account.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before submitting it. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After completing the questionnaire and uploading appropriate documents, click the Submit Application to submit your application package.
It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume, veteran's documentation, completed assessment questionnaire, and SF-50's) are accurate and were submitted before 11:59 PM (EST) on10/08/2021 of the announcement to receive consideration.
Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. If a document is not in legible format, applicant will not be able to view it in Application Manager which means applicant must again upload or fax the documentation by the closing date of this announcement.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account. The page will display the positions for which you've applied as well as the status of each application.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click on the plus sign (+) next to the job title to expand information about the job. Next click on Update Application to complete the application process.
Note: Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. This position requires the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described previously. Please carefully review the complete job announcement, including the Required Documents, Other Information, and How to Apply sections of the announcement.
Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail or e-mail. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement.
Communications and External Affairs
330 Independence Avenue SW
Room 4700 Cohen Building
Washington, DC 20237
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
