Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Investigative Writer Editor

U.S. Agency for Global Media
Voice of America
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The position is located in the News Center, Voice of America (VOA). The incumbent serves as an Investigative Writer-Editor and is responsible for researching, writing and reporting about in-depth, complex matters for multiple media platforms. He/she must have a proven track record as an investigative journalist.

THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY A UNION AGREEMENT

Note: Budgetary conditions may delay or otherwise affect filling this vacancy. However, all interested candidates should apply now.

The Broadcasting Board of Governors is conveniently located within walking distance to the Green, Orange, Silver, Yellow, and Blue Metro lines.

INTRODUCTION TO AGENCY
The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), an independent federal agency, is an exciting, multi-cultural organization that encompasses all United States civilian international broadcasting. The BBG is comprised of five networks broadcasting in 61 languages that include the Voice of America, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Marti), and three grantee organizations - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa), and Radio Free Asia. The International Broadcasting Bureau provides transmission, administrative, and other support services; and three grantee organizations. Our staff of dedicated professionals serve as an example of a free and independent media, reaching a worldwide audience of 215 million people with news, information, and relevant discussions.

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/21/2017 to 09/05/2017
Salary
$79,720 to - $103,639 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington DC, DC
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Q Access Authorization
Announcement number
DE-10038116-17-JB
Control number
477530900

This job is open to

Help

Duties

Help

Duties include, but are not limited to:

-Suggests, develops, and produces original, authoritative investigative stories in a variety of subject areas, including corruption, health hazards, the environment, human rights, financial fraud, cyber-security and abuse of power, among others.
-Conducts interviews with on-the-record sources and, in some instances, anonymous sources.
-Employs appropriate investigative tools, including the Freedom of Information Act, to find and analyze documentary evidence, including legal papers, government records and regulatory reports, business and financial filings and records contained in electronic databases.
-Collaborates with data journalists to formulate stories, develop angles and create news applications that present investigative findings and evidence.
-Fact-checks projects prior to publication or broadcast; writes and reports for long-term projects and shorter turnaround investigative stories.
-Thoroughly and accurately researches all information, turning complex subject matter into clear, easy-to-understand prose.
-Works closely with the investigations editor and other editors, photographers, designers, researchers, data analysts, social media and web and broadcast producers to produce arresting investigative projects on multiple platforms.
-Develops and maintains a variety of investigative sources, maintaining confidentiality when appropriate and in consultation with VOA editors.
-Is an evangelist for investigative reporting at VOA and collaborates as needed with other English language journalists, as well as journalists in the language services.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. citizenship required.
  • Candidates MUST meet all qualification requirements by closing date.
  • Applicants must complete online questionnaire.
  • This is a sensitive or national security position.
  • If selected, this position requires the completion of the SF-86.

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 may require working nights, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11), which is directly related to the line of work of this position.

Examples of specialized experience for this position is experience reporting news and information for a newspaper or magazine with the ability to tell many kinds of stories; produce long-form investigative enterprise and covers investigative issues, writes quickly, with clarity and authority often about complex matters, on deadline and the ability to interpret politics and policymaking. Experience is gained in working well with journalists, designers, photographers, and others related to this field.

Education

Applicant cannot substitute education for experience.

Additional information

1. 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 85 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.

2. 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.

3. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and 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.

4. 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.

5. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Additional selections may be made if additional/identical vacancies occur within 90 days of certificate issuance.

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 qualification will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements and competencies required for this position.

Competencies:

  • Information Management
  • Oral Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Writing


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.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.