United States Citizens or individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residency or authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service to work in the United States. While the DC Courts has a telework policy, eligibility is determined by the respective division where the position is situated within the agency.
Maintains newsroom page of courts’ website and serves as web content manager for entire DCCourts.gov site (coordinates updates that are done on a weekly basis, as well as urgent messaging when needed).
Coordinates press issues for high profile trials and hearings.
Develops appropriate communication channels, techniques and strategies for use in disseminating information to hard-to-reach audiences such as low income and minority groups.
Manages crisis communications: communicates with the public, media and stakeholders on emerging issues; provides updates and briefings to the media alone or along with the Chief Judges and Executive Officer.
Prepares speeches, presentations, talking points, articles, op-ed pieces and other written products for the Chief Judges and Executive Officer.
Plans press conferences and writes media releases.
Trains and advises judges and Court officials on how to effectively respond to media inquiries; provides guidance on sensitive and often controversial public information issues.
Background and security investigation are required.
This position is an Excepted Service appointment.
To qualify for this position, you must submit the following: 1. Resume 2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire 3. Documentation /Proof of Education (e.g. copy of college transcript or degree) 4. List of three (3) professional references
All required documentation must be received by the closing date of the announcement.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, advertising or a related field plus six (6) years of experience in leading the communications function.
Impeccable written and oral communication skills. Thorough knowledge of the principles and procedures of managing and administering communications programs for a branch of government or a large, diverse and multi-faceted organization. Proven track record of managing highly visible initiatives and fostering continual improvements.
Education Substitution:
Master's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, advertising or a related field plus five (5) years of experience in leading the communications function.
The incumbent should be an enthusiastic and engaged professional who enjoys working with a diverse group of Court personnel and customers and lives the DC Courts’ values of Accountability, Excellence, Fairness, Integrity, Respect, and Transparency.
Please note that authorization for the release of your adult criminal record revealing any convictions and forfeitures, and any criminal cases currently pending before the courts is required. If you are selected for the position, a criminal history records check will be conducted.
Education
To qualify based on education, upload a copy of your college transcript or degree. The transcript must show the name of the college or university, your name, list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking.
Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for District of Columbia Courts employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must upload a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript at time of application to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive Federal civil service.
All required information must be received by the vacancy announcement closing date.
The safety of DC Court employees, contractors and the public is a top priority. In compliance with the guidelines published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Courts has maximized its telework flexibilities. The ability and readiness for employees to telework impacts operational requirements and capabilities. This includes having a personal computer, tablet or mobile device which is not shared with secure internet connectivity.
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.
This is not a federal position.
The District of Columbia Courts is an independent agency of the District of Columbia Government and is not under the authority of the City Mayor or the D. C. Council. DC Courts' appropriation comes directly from Congress. All DC Courts non-judicial employees receive federal benefits for the following programs: Life Insurance, Retirement Benefits, Health Insurance and Workers Compensation.
Please click on the following for more information about these benefits:
Annual Leave: New full-time employees earn four (4) hours of annual leave biweekly. After three years of service this increases to six (6) hours biweekly, and at 15 years it increases to eight (8) hours biweekly. Most military, federal and District of Columbia government service counts toward the time required to go into the next higher annual leave category. Employees can carry over no more than 240 hours of annual leave into the next leave year.
Sick Leave is used for personal medical needs, care of a family member, or adoption related purposes. Full-time employees earn four (4) hours of sick leave biweekly. This leave can be accrued without limit.
In addition to the federal health plans, the DC Courts offer employees supplemental vision and dental plans as well as commuter transit benefit subsidy, for a maximum of $150 a month. There are 26 pay periods in the year.
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.
Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure that you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Answers submitted in the questionnaire must be supported on your resume.
Your resume must reflect the relevant experience and that you meet the minimum qualifications or your application will not be considered.
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.
This is not a federal position.
The District of Columbia Courts is an independent agency of the District of Columbia Government and is not under the authority of the City Mayor or the D. C. Council. DC Courts' appropriation comes directly from Congress. All DC Courts non-judicial employees receive federal benefits for the following programs: Life Insurance, Retirement Benefits, Health Insurance and Workers Compensation.
Please click on the following for more information about these benefits:
Annual Leave: New full-time employees earn four (4) hours of annual leave biweekly. After three years of service this increases to six (6) hours biweekly, and at 15 years it increases to eight (8) hours biweekly. Most military, federal and District of Columbia government service counts toward the time required to go into the next higher annual leave category. Employees can carry over no more than 240 hours of annual leave into the next leave year.
Sick Leave is used for personal medical needs, care of a family member, or adoption related purposes. Full-time employees earn four (4) hours of sick leave biweekly. This leave can be accrued without limit.
In addition to the federal health plans, the DC Courts offer employees supplemental vision and dental plans as well as commuter transit benefit subsidy, for a maximum of $150 a month. There are 26 pay periods in the year.
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.
1. Resume 2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire 3. Documentation /Proof of Education (e.g. copy of college transcript or diploma) 4. List of three (3) professional references
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 begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the vacancy questionnaire. Afterward, click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
To process your application successfully, DC Courts encourages applicants to use Internet Explorer (IE) 9 or IE 10 since these are internet browsers supported by our system.
District of Columbia Courts
Moultrie Building
500 Indiana Avenue, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20001
United States
Next steps
Once your completed application is received, the qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. All applicants will be notified of the final outcome.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
1. Resume 2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire 3. Documentation /Proof of Education (e.g. copy of college transcript or diploma) 4. List of three (3) professional references
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 begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the vacancy questionnaire. Afterward, click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
To process your application successfully, DC Courts encourages applicants to use Internet Explorer (IE) 9 or IE 10 since these are internet browsers supported by our system.
District of Columbia Courts
Moultrie Building
500 Indiana Avenue, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20001
United States
Next steps
Once your completed application is received, the qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. All applicants will be notified of the final outcome.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
