This position is located in the Office of Communications, Information Division, Federal Election Commission (FEC). One of the Commission's strategic objectives is to encourage voluntary compliance with the FECA. To meet that objective, the Commission has established an extensive outreach program for advising the regulated community and the general public on the FECA's requirements.
This is a Bargaining Unit position.
Summary
This position is located in the Office of Communications, Information Division, Federal Election Commission (FEC). One of the Commission's strategic objectives is to encourage voluntary compliance with the FECA. To meet that objective, the Commission has established an extensive outreach program for advising the regulated community and the general public on the FECA's requirements.
The Public Affairs Specialist (Communications Specialist) works side-by-side with Commissioners and senior staff to develop public information programs and technical documents on campaign laws for both information and training purposes. A Communications Specialist fully participates in division strategies to increase public awareness and compliance with these laws. Duties include:
Researching and writing instructional materials (campaign guides, the Record, e-learning videos and other online content) that integrate complex rules and procedures expressed in the U.S. Code, advisory opinions, matters under review (MURs), court opinions, regulations and explanations and justifications of the regulations.
Responding to complex oral and written inquiries about the federal election law, independently providing research material and guidance about how to comply with the law or whether to request a formal advisory opinion.
Developing and presenting workshops at campaign finance conferences and seminars; briefing foreign delegations, students and others on the FEC and its mission.
You must be able to pass a background investigation.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Legal and regulatory guidance below).
You may be required to serve a 2 year probationary period.
Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. If qualifying based on education, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application.
Qualifications for the GS-1035-09:
A. Have one full year of specialized experience applying basic public affairs support of an organization. This must include activities such as: (1) assisting with developing public information programs and technical documents on campaign laws for both information and training purposes; (2) assisting with articles for the Record, e-learning video scripts and other online content; (3) responding to basic oral and written inquiries about the federal election law, providing research material and guidance, and (4) dealing tactfully with others and managing conflict. This experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained either in private or public sectors).
OR
B. Have a master's degree, or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (Note: you must submit copies of your transcripts)
OR
C. Have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate education. Note: To compute this, first determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required above; then determine your total qualifying graduate education as a percentage of the education required above; add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal to 100 percent to qualify. (Note: you must submit copies of your transcripts)
Qualifications for the GS-1035-11:
A. Have one full year of specialized experience demonstrating public affairs support of an organization. This must include activities such as: (1) developing public information programs and technical documents on campaign laws for both information and training purposes; (2) responding to oral and written inquiries about the federal election law, providing research material and guidance; (3) researching and drafting articles for the Record, e-learning video scripts and other online content; (4) dealing tactfully with others and managing conflict; and (5) preparing correspondence, memoranda, or reports that include all pertinent facts. This experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in private or public sectors).
OR
B. Have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher graduate level education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Note: You must submit a copy of your graduate transcripts with your application.
OR
C. Have an equivalent combination of the specialized experience described in "A" and the graduate-level education described in "B". To determine if you qualify under this combination, first determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the specialized experience required; then determine your education as a percentage of the graduate education required (note: only graduate education in excess of the first two years is creditable for this combination); and then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Note: You must submit a copy of your graduate transcripts with your application.
Qualifications for the GS-1035-12:
Have one full year of specialized experience demonstrating public affairs support of an organization. This must include activities such as: (1) developing public information programs and technical documents on campaign laws for both information and training purposes; (2) conducting workshops on campaign finance law, organizing and promoting outreach programs;(3) responding to complex oral and written inquiries about the federal election law, providing research material and guidance; (4) drafting articles for the Record, e-learning video scripts and other online content; and (5) preparing correspondence, memoranda, or reports that include all pertinent facts. Note: This experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in private or public sectors).
In addition, you must provide a cover letter describing your experience with the competencies identified below:
Interpersonal Skills - Considers and responds appropriately to the needs, feelings, and capabilities of others; adjusts approaches to suit different people and situations.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of the production, communication and dissemination of information and ideas to inform via written, oral, and visual media.
Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Written Communication - Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website.
Part-time or unpaid experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
Volunteer work experience: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
If you are selected for the GS-09 or GS-11: Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.
Education
Are you using your education to qualify? You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
Foreign education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, click here. You must provide translated transcripts.
Additional information
FEC offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; or transportation subsidies.
If you receive a tentative offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Additional selections may be made from this announcement.
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 the announcement closes, we will conduct a review of your application package to verify your eligibility and qualifications. If you are found qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process which will determine the best qualified candidates. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies:
Communications and Media
Interpersonal Skills
Oral Communication
Written Communication
Category Rating: Your application will be evaluated and rated under Category Rating selection procedures. Once the application process is complete, a review of your résumé and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this position. If, after reviewing your résumé and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your responses when compared to your background information, your category rating may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your skills and abilities, or you may be rated ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The quality categories are:
Best Qualified
Well Qualified
Qualified
The Category Rating Process does not add veteran's preference points, but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibilities within each category. Preference eligible who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except for scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher.
To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
Due to COVID-19, the FECis currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement in accordance with the Department's reentry procedures provided by your Servicing Human Resources Office. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days per pay period depending upon the terms of Federal Executive Commission telework policy.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Your Resume listing hours worked per week, dates of employment (month/year) and duties performed for each position held.
Transcripts if qualifying based on education.
Cover Letter which addresses the competencies identified in the Qualifications section above. Please limit your cover letter to 2 pages.
Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable): All Veterans: DD-214 (Member 4 copy is preferred), which includes character of service, or for Active Duty Service Members a certification which includes service dates, type of separation, and character of service. A "certification" is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Disabled Veterans: VA Disability Letter (with percentage of disability) OR document of disability determination from a branch of the armed forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability rating. Derived Preference: The spouse, widow/widower, or mother of a veteran may be eligible to claim veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it. To do so, you must submit an SF-15 and the documentation required by that form. Active Duty Service Members: The VOW Act Chapter 21 of Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 2108a, requires Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD214, assuming the service member is otherwise eligible. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. The service member's military service dates are necessary in order to determine whether he or she meets the definition of "veteran" under 5 U.S.C. 2108(1). The "certification" must reflect the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of submission. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin (if applicable), your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Further, under paragraph (h) of the rule, agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible." Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave.
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 apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/30/2022 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Federal Election Commission
1050 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20463
US
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Additional phases of the review process will determine the best qualified candidates, and whether or not your application is referred to the selecting official. You will be contacted directly if further evaluation or an interview is required. You will receive notifications by email about the status of your application throughout this process.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Your Resume listing hours worked per week, dates of employment (month/year) and duties performed for each position held.
Transcripts if qualifying based on education.
Cover Letter which addresses the competencies identified in the Qualifications section above. Please limit your cover letter to 2 pages.
Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable): All Veterans: DD-214 (Member 4 copy is preferred), which includes character of service, or for Active Duty Service Members a certification which includes service dates, type of separation, and character of service. A "certification" is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Disabled Veterans: VA Disability Letter (with percentage of disability) OR document of disability determination from a branch of the armed forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability rating. Derived Preference: The spouse, widow/widower, or mother of a veteran may be eligible to claim veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it. To do so, you must submit an SF-15 and the documentation required by that form. Active Duty Service Members: The VOW Act Chapter 21 of Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 2108a, requires Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD214, assuming the service member is otherwise eligible. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. The service member's military service dates are necessary in order to determine whether he or she meets the definition of "veteran" under 5 U.S.C. 2108(1). The "certification" must reflect the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of submission. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin (if applicable), your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Further, under paragraph (h) of the rule, agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible." Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave.
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 apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/30/2022 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application. You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Federal Election Commission
1050 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20463
US
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Additional phases of the review process will determine the best qualified candidates, and whether or not your application is referred to the selecting official. You will be contacted directly if further evaluation or an interview is required. You will receive notifications by email about the status of your application throughout this process.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
