This position is located in the Office of Inspector General (OIG), Headquarters, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Washington, DC. The incumbent serves as a Senior Writer in the Office of Strategic Communications and Programs. This office is the primary point of contact for our writers to assist OIG personnel in a variety of published materials for the Administration, Congress, and the general public.
Summary
This position is located in the Office of Inspector General (OIG), Headquarters, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Washington, DC. The incumbent serves as a Senior Writer in the Office of Strategic Communications and Programs. This office is the primary point of contact for our writers to assist OIG personnel in a variety of published materials for the Administration, Congress, and the general public.
Current Federal employees serving under a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service; former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; applicants eligible for appointment under special appointing authorities(Sch A; VEOA, etc.); special selection priority consideration under either the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Transition Assistance (ICTAP) Program for well-qualified displaced or surplus candidates within the local commuting area.
Reviews, prepares and coordinates a wide variety of written materials, including reports, testimony, correspondence, as well as materials related to programs and policies of the Department and/or the OIG to ensure documents are accurate, comprehensive, clear, concise, and consistent and reflect the intent of Government Auditing Standards and DOT and OIG policies, standards, and guidance.
Serves as a chief advisor to staff in headquarters and the field on how to clearly and succinctly present complex information for targeted audiences.
Advises the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) and other senior staff about identified weaknesses in product development or processes and proposes solutions to address these weaknesses.
Remains apprised of policies, processes, and other information related to assigned projects and OIG's mission.
Ensures quality and timeliness of OIG products by demonstrating initiative, creativity, and flexibility in conducting work; anticipating and effectively addressing obstacles; and fostering teamwork, collaboration, coordination, and matrixing with internal and external stakeholders.
In consultation with the CCO and Communications Team, develops and revises, as needed, writing guidance and design templates for products.
In consultation with the CCO, develops and conducts training for OIG personnel on critical thinking, messaging, and writing.
Contributes significantly to the development of OIG’s writing staff and junior Communications Team members in consultation with the CCO.
In consultation with the CCO, makes recommendations regarding Communications Team resources and tasks to best address customers’ needs.
In consultation with the CCO, monitors subordinate staff work as needed for timeliness, relevance, quality, and adherence to OIG standards.
Demonstrates effective leadership on assigned projects and within the Communications Team, including helping to resolve problems impacting group's overall goals; assisting in guiding work needed to meet changing requirements, resources, or priorities; and monitoring and enhancing processes and procedures to reflect evolving requirements, efficiencies, and constraints.
Submit application and resume online by 11:59 P.M. EST on the closing date.
This position is subject to a background investigation.
Some travel may be required.
Federal employees must meet Time-In-Grade (TIG) requirements for merit promotion consideration. TIG is the 52-week requirement Federal employees in competitive service, General Schedule (GS) positions at the GS-5 and above must serve before they are eligible for promotion to the next grade level.
Writing Sample Requirements
Given the primary duties of this position, you are required to provide with your application TWO (2) samples of a product or portion of a product that you have either authored or substantially revised or edited. Examples may include but are not limited to government reports, testimonies, articles or recent publications, congressional or executive correspondence, and speeches. Your sample will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Clear, concise, and convincing presentation of complex information
Appropriate diction, tone, and balance
Logical organization and flow
Correct and/or consistent use of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style
Please submit TWO (2) writing samples that are at least 5 and no more than 30 pages long. Samples outside of this page range will not be considered. Sample at a minimum should demonstrate your ability to produce a high level of readability.
Candidates must have least 1 (one) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal Government.
Specialized experience is defined as advising staff on the production of a wide variety of written materials including audit reports, testimony, correspondence, and fact sheets ensuring documents are accurate, comprehensive, clear, concise, and consistent with Government Auditing Standards and DOT, OIG policies, standards and guidance. Experience conducting editorial reviews to ensure consistency of mechanics and expression; logical organization, development and support of conclusions; internal consistency; readability; clarity; flow; appropriate tone; adequacy and appropriateness of graphics and tables; correctness of spelling, grammar and punctuation; and compliance with the Government Printing Office Style Manual, OIG style, and Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General. Non-governmental experience should be of similar complexity.
Additional information
****You may be required to complete pre-employment or random drug testing, if selected.*****
Candidates will be asked to fill out a Declaration for Federal Employment (Optional Form 306).
APPLICANTS MUST MEET QUALIFICATIONS AND TIME-IN- GRADE REQUIREMENTS BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL LIKE VACANCIES IN THE ANNOUNCED DUTY LOCATION.
Applications will not be accepted from non- status candidates. Non-status candidates are those individuals who do not have competitive status (e.g., reinstatement eligibility, transfer eligibility from another government agency, etc.) Except for disabled individuals, non-status candidates must be in the area of consideration. Competitive status is not required if applicant is a disabled individual who may be eligible for appointment under a special Schedule A appointing authority in the excepted service. Applicants who meet this provision may apply even if they are outside the area of consideration.
Candidates eligible for reinstatement must submit an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, from their last appointment. All status candidates must submit a copy of their most recent SF-50, and/or a copy of the last SF-50 that indicates they have competitive status.
Any male applicant who was born after December 31, 1959, and who is subsequently selected for this position must certify that he is registered for the military selective service by the date he is to enter on duty. False certification may result in termination after appointment.
Relocation Expenses will not be paid.
If selected for this position, you will be subject to favorable adjudication of an employment suitability determination.
Best qualified candidates will be responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel expenses in conjunction with any required interviews, unless they are already employed by the Office of Inspector General at the U. S. Department of Transportation.
THIS AGENCY PROVIDES REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES. IF YOU NEED A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY PART OF THE APPLICATION AND HIRING PROCESS, PLEASE NOTIFY THE AGENCY. THE DECISION ON GRANTING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS WILL BE ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS. ALL APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE CONSIDERATION REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, UNION AFFILIATION OR NON AFFILIATION, MARITAL STATUS, NON- DISQUALIFYING PHYSICAL HANDICAP, OR ANY OTHER NON-MERIT REASON. THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG), U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or to find an individual unqualified, unsuitable, or unfit for employment based upon financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual's employment experience should be used only to determine the person's qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual's personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of unfavorable suitability or fitness determination.
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.
Applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be further evaluated on their responses to the on-line announcement questions.
Eligible applicants will receive a numberical rating based on their responses to the application questions for this position submitted on-line via www.usajobs.gov. These responses must be substantiated by your on-line resume. Applicants who do not respond to the application questions may be rated ineligible.
The Human Resources Office is ultimately responsible for determining your final rating. Please ensure that your resume and application provide enough detail to support your answers to the Vacancy Specific Questions. You may preview questions for this vacancy.
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.
Your resume must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete and you may not receive consideration for this position.
FEDERAL APPLICANTS: For consideration as a federal employee, you must submit a SF-50 that verifies your highest competitive grade, full performance level, and eligibility as a federal applicant. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility. For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing. We recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50, current SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50. Pay adjustment raise SF-50s for the current year will not support the 52 weeks’ time-in-grade requirements. https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/service/SF-50/
Merit Promotion - All current Federal employees must submit a recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) documenting proof of competitive status, tenure, current grade level and full performance level of the position held. All reinstatement eligibles/former Federal employees must submit a SF-50 documenting proof of competitive status, tenure, grade level and full performance level of the position.
Non-competitive eligibles - must submit proof of eligibility (i.e., SF-50 documenting the full performance level of a position held on a permanent basis).
SCHEDULE A - To receive consideration for Schedule A appointment, you must submit your certification from a licensed medical professional; or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits.
The letter must be printed on the licensed medical professional's letterhead and must include a signature or it is invalid.
DD-214/ VA Benefits Letter - To receive consideration, all veterans must submit a copy of their DD-214 (copy Member #4). If you are claiming preference due to a service-connected disability, you must submit your Vet Letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs documenting your status. If you are a current service member, in lieu of a DD-214, you may submit a statement from your military personnel center certifying the nature and dates of your service and expected date of separation.
CTAP/ICTAP - If you are eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), a copy of your certificate of surplus status, certificate of expected separation, or a specific Reduction-in-Force notice establishing your eligibility under CTAP/ICTAP. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must meet all qualification requirements for the vacant position to include any selective factors; meet the definition of best qualified (GOLD Category); and be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry.
Supporting documents may either be uploaded or faxed to 571-258-4052. The requested information MUST be received by fax within 48 hours prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays or government holidays). The requested information MUST be received by fax within 48 hours prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays or government holidays).
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.
Applications submitted via WWW.USAJOBS.GOV must be received before midnight eastern time on the closing date of the announcement. No extensions will be granted. If you fail to submit a COMPLETE on-line resume, you WILL NOT be considered for this position. Please make sure that the responses provided in the questionnaire are fully supported by your resume, that your resume is detailed and you have highlighted your most relevant experience for this position (to include starting and ending dates of employment for each position held), and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. If you fail to provide this information, it may result in you being rated "ineligible" or "not qualified" for this position.
If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings are subject to change or you may be removed from employment consideration. Applicants who do not respond to the application questions will be rated ineligible.
If applying on-line poses a hardship to any applicant, the Servicing Personnel Office listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted on-line by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Servicing Human Resources Office PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE to speak to someone who can provide assistance for on-line submission. Requests for extensions will not be granted.
DOT, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
1200 New Jersey Ave SE
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your application status by the servicing human resources specialist via e-mail. It is essential that you have a current e-mail address on file and remove any restrictions from your e-mail account that may prohibit our contacting you via e-mail. You may also check the status of your application at WWW.USAJOBS.GOV.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Your resume must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete and you may not receive consideration for this position.
FEDERAL APPLICANTS: For consideration as a federal employee, you must submit a SF-50 that verifies your highest competitive grade, full performance level, and eligibility as a federal applicant. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility. For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing. We recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50, current SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50. Pay adjustment raise SF-50s for the current year will not support the 52 weeks’ time-in-grade requirements. https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/service/SF-50/
Merit Promotion - All current Federal employees must submit a recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) documenting proof of competitive status, tenure, current grade level and full performance level of the position held. All reinstatement eligibles/former Federal employees must submit a SF-50 documenting proof of competitive status, tenure, grade level and full performance level of the position.
Non-competitive eligibles - must submit proof of eligibility (i.e., SF-50 documenting the full performance level of a position held on a permanent basis).
SCHEDULE A - To receive consideration for Schedule A appointment, you must submit your certification from a licensed medical professional; or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits.
The letter must be printed on the licensed medical professional's letterhead and must include a signature or it is invalid.
DD-214/ VA Benefits Letter - To receive consideration, all veterans must submit a copy of their DD-214 (copy Member #4). If you are claiming preference due to a service-connected disability, you must submit your Vet Letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs documenting your status. If you are a current service member, in lieu of a DD-214, you may submit a statement from your military personnel center certifying the nature and dates of your service and expected date of separation.
CTAP/ICTAP - If you are eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), a copy of your certificate of surplus status, certificate of expected separation, or a specific Reduction-in-Force notice establishing your eligibility under CTAP/ICTAP. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must meet all qualification requirements for the vacant position to include any selective factors; meet the definition of best qualified (GOLD Category); and be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry.
Supporting documents may either be uploaded or faxed to 571-258-4052. The requested information MUST be received by fax within 48 hours prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays or government holidays). The requested information MUST be received by fax within 48 hours prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays or government holidays).
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.
Applications submitted via WWW.USAJOBS.GOV must be received before midnight eastern time on the closing date of the announcement. No extensions will be granted. If you fail to submit a COMPLETE on-line resume, you WILL NOT be considered for this position. Please make sure that the responses provided in the questionnaire are fully supported by your resume, that your resume is detailed and you have highlighted your most relevant experience for this position (to include starting and ending dates of employment for each position held), and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. If you fail to provide this information, it may result in you being rated "ineligible" or "not qualified" for this position.
If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings are subject to change or you may be removed from employment consideration. Applicants who do not respond to the application questions will be rated ineligible.
If applying on-line poses a hardship to any applicant, the Servicing Personnel Office listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted on-line by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Servicing Human Resources Office PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE to speak to someone who can provide assistance for on-line submission. Requests for extensions will not be granted.
DOT, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
1200 New Jersey Ave SE
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your application status by the servicing human resources specialist via e-mail. It is essential that you have a current e-mail address on file and remove any restrictions from your e-mail account that may prohibit our contacting you via e-mail. You may also check the status of your application at WWW.USAJOBS.GOV.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
