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Communications Analyst (Written)

Legislative Branch
Government Accountability Office
This job announcement has closed

Summary

These positions will be located in one of the following GAO Team or Office: GAO Teams List

Contracting & National Security Acquisitions (CNSA)

Information Technology & Cybersecurity (ITC)

Health Care (HC)

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Posted 04/07/20
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$96,516 - $138,571 per year
Pay scale & grade
CS 02
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time - Permanent
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required
Appointment type
Permanent - Full-Time
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Announcement number
GAO-20-TEAMS-1001-02-DE
Control number
565112800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

The GAO is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. This position is also being announced under the Agency's Merit Promotion procedures for federal employees and non-competitive appointment eligibles. If you are a current federal employee with status and wish to be considered under merit promotion or non-competitive procedures, you must apply to announcement number GAO-20-TEAMS-1001-02-MP.

Duties

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GAO is seeking experienced professionals to serve as Communications Analysts (Written); responsible for supporting teams and offices in developing and producing written products and providing instruction on message development and writing.  Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

- Providing advanced-level written communications support concurrently to multiple teams or individuals working on complex or high-risk reviews of agencies and programs.
- Working with teams to frame research objectives and identify potential writing problems related to the study design.
- Facilitating discussions to help teams assess evidence, identify themes, and reach consensus on a message.
- Working with teams or individuals to write reports and testimonies using plain language to help communicate GAO’s complex findings to a general audience.
- Reviewing and revising drafts to improve coherence, logical flow, clarity, and adherence to GAO quality and stylistic standards.
- Checking that report findings and recommendations are supported by a sufficient level of evidence.
- Working with teams to review and incorporate reviewers’ comments.
- Building and maintaining strong working relationships and collaborating with staff at all levels.
- Serving as a resource on clear and concise writing, and as a writing coach.
- Working with analysts, particularly new staff, to help them improve their writing skills.
- Applying appropriate style manuals.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen or national.
  • You must be suitable for federal employment.
  • Completion of a satisfactory background investigation may be required.
  • Completion of a probationary period is required.
  • Selective Service registration if you are a male born after Dec. 31, 1959.

Candidates must possess the specialized experience as described to be determined minimally qualified for this position.

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

Qualifications

Applicants must have at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower band or level equivalent to the GS-11 in the federal service, or comparable private/public sector experience which has equipped the applicant with the skills and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience reviewing and analyzing written information to identify strengths, gaps in content, problems in logical flow, or other issues affecting the quality of written products; adeptly managing a dynamic workload; and collaborating with issue area experts as an advocate for clear writing and other institutional standards.

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

Education

There is no education requirement for this position.

Additional information

This is a bargaining unit position.

Based on the staffing needs, additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement.

Selectee will be required to file a Financial Disclosure Statement.

Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid for by the GAO.

Males born after 12/31/59 and at least 18 years of age must be registered with the Selective Service System. Visit SSS.

Selectees will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. At the time of appointment, selectees will be required to update the OF-306.

Selectees will be subject to a determination of suitability for Federal employment.

GAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request accommodation, please email ReasonableAccommodation@gao.gov.

GAO's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

GAO is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the GAO require completion of a probationary period.

How you will be evaluated

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

If you meet the qualification requirements stated, you will be further rated based on your responses to the assessment questions and placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans.

For the multiple choice questions, please select the most accurate assessment of your experiences. For each of the three essay questions, it is important to have well-written and thoughtful responses that are supported by your resume. It is equally important that you do not overstate or understate your level of experience and capabilities. You will have up to 1000 characters to answer each essay question. Any response to any of the essay questions that says “Please see resume”, “N/A”, or the equivalent will not be accepted.

All applicants will be rated based on their responses to the assessment questions, in conjunction with the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA’s):

  • Advanced skill in analyzing and helping to develop complex written products.
  • Advanced skill in collaborating with teams to reconcile differing perspectives, while working on multiple engagements.
  • Extensive knowledge of the elements of a finding and how to develop recommendations in a written product.
  • Extensive knowledge of GAO policies and procedures related to development and presentation to ensure that all products are developed in accordance with GAO quality assurance standards.
  • Extensive knowledge of principles of writing to analyze written information of a technical nature for logic, clarity, consistency, and readability.
  • Extensive knowledge of appropriate structure and tone of written products, including style, grammar, and usage.

To preview questions please click here.

Government Accountability Office

Agency contact information

Ymani Washington
Phone
404-679-1803
TDD
800-877-8339
Email
washingtony@gao.gov
Address
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE
441 G Street NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20548
United States

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