Consistently ranked as the best place to work in the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to provide independent oversight to promote accountability, integrity, economy, efficiency, and effectiveness within the DOI. The OIG offers exceptional work-life benefits, including flexible work schedules, a robust telework program, ample training opportunities, and a comprehensive employee recognition program.
Summary
Consistently ranked as the best place to work in the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to provide independent oversight to promote accountability, integrity, economy, efficiency, and effectiveness within the DOI. The OIG offers exceptional work-life benefits, including flexible work schedules, a robust telework program, ample training opportunities, and a comprehensive employee recognition program.
All current career/career-conditional or former federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; CTAP and ICTAP eligibles within the local commuting area; Veterans' Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA); Interchange Agreement; Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA); Persons eligible under other Special Hiring Authorities; and Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista.
This position is with the Office of Chief of Staff, Office of Communications and Congressional Affairs in Washington, District of Columbia. This office is responsible for managing external and internal communications strategies and content. As a Public Affairs Specialist you will be responsible for developing public affairs, Congressional, and communications strategies that promote engagement and positive attitudes for OIG work.
Your duties will include:
Developing media relations strategies to highlight OIG work products and communicate OIG policy in a variety of print and electronic publications. Advising management on public understanding and perception of OIG work and policies and making recommendations on media strategy to ensure or enhance public understanding.
Developing social media strategies to create appropriate messaging about priorities and initiatives of the OIG; planning and implementing social media messaging; and developing strategic digital media strategies to promote DOI OIG messages and work.
Writing and researching press releases, talking points, briefings, speeches, and scripts, ensuring all information being disseminated is accurate and reflects the policies, views, and program initiatives of the OIG.
Managing and developing internal communications strategies and content in support of OIG strategic goals. Executing programs that drive engagement, align efforts, and promote positive OIG culture and analyzing internal communications needs.
Providing support to the Associate Inspector General for Communications and Congressional Affairs in managing the OIG's relationship with Congress. Providing liaison with Members of Congress, Congressional committees, and congressional staff to inform them of OIG activities, products, and policies. Preparing leadership to engage with Members of Congress and their staff and responding to Congressional requests.
Successful completion of a background investigation.
May be required to complete a one year probationary period.
Time-in-grade requirement - Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for the Selective Service.
Qualifications
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Merit Promotion candidates (Federal employees) must meet time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Minimum Qualifications GS-14:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service performing ALL of the following:
Developing communications content across various media forms such as social media, print, broadcast, and digital.
Independently responding to complex Congressional and media inquiries to include duties such as performing research and synthesizing information in writing.
Developing external relations products such as press releases, briefings, speeches, or fact sheets, AND
Preparing management for Congressional interactions to include duties such as drafting testimony, preparing talking points, or conducting hearing prep sessions.
Note: There is no substitution of education for experience at this level.
Education
There is no substitution of education for experience at this level.
Additional information
Applicants must meet initial and periodic suitability determinations based on favorable background investigations and updates.
Additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement.
Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 80 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.
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 evaluated based on how well they meet the qualifications as listed in this announcement. Applicants will be evaluated based on their possession of the following competencies:
Mastery of communication principles, methods, practices, and techniques sufficient to communicate complex ideas to different audiences of varied understanding
Interpersonal relations including the ability to effectively communicate with senior management officials, congressional staff, and media representatives
Comprehensive knowledge of media relations sufficient to develop and manage media strategies and content for all forms of media and publications
Knowledge of congressional committees, congressional operations, and the legislative processes of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to serve as a Congressional liaison
After the closing date of the announcement, we will review your resume per Category Rating or Numerical Scoring procedures to ensure that qualification and eligibility requirements are met. If we use the Category Rating procedure, and it is determined that you meet the minimum qualification requirements, your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified based on the degree that your application demonstrates possession of:
Knowledge of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, and the authorities, provisions, responsibilities, and limitations contained therein.
Comprehensive knowledge of media relations sufficient to develop and manage media strategies and content for all forms of media and publications.
Knowledge of congressional committees, congressional operations, and the legislative processes.
Note: If a determination is made that qualifications and/or experience have been inflated, your score will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. You are required to select eligibility and submit supporting documents. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.
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.
All documentation applicable to you must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit the required documents will disqualify you from further consideration for this position.
Resume (required) - Your resume must sufficiently describe how your experience fully meets the specialized experience requirements as stated in this announcement for each grade level(s) you are applying (see "Qualifications" section). Your resume must also support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. We cannot assume you have performed the duties and gained the experience required for this position regardless of your employment history or academic career. We strongly recommend you use the USA Jobs Online Resume Builder to submit a resume. If you choose to use your own formatted resume, you must ensure it contains all of the following for each experience/position listed: job title, name of employer, beginning and ending dates of employment (month/day/year format), hours worked per week, detailed description of duties performed, and if a Federal position, series and grade or equivalent. We will not access web pages linked to your resume to determine your qualifications. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself or any sensitive information.
SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action (required for current or former Federal employees) - If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must provide the most recent Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) that verifies career/career-conditional status (box 24 must show "1" or "2" and box 34 must show "1"), title, series, and grade (do not submit an Award SF-50). Also, provide the SF-50 that reflects the highest grade level held on a permanent basis or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. Candidates applying under an interchange agreement must also provide an SF-50 or equivalent document showing interchange eligibility. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.
Bureau of Land Management - Under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) two groups of individuals are eligible to apply under this announcement: current and/or former employees serving or who have served under time-limited competitive appointments at land management agencies.- Current appointees: 1) must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time-limited appointment with a land management agency; 2) must have served under one or more time-limited appointment(s) by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; and 3) must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service (Performance Appraisal Required). Former appointees: 1) must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time-limited appointment with a land management agency; 2) must have served under one or more time-limited appointment(s) by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; 3) must have separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; and 4) must have performed at an acceptable level through the service period (Performance Appraisal Required).
Performance Appraisal and Awards - While not required, due weight will be given to appraisals and awards submitted during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. Such documents will not be used in determining if you meet the experience requirements.
CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility - Such as a RIF separation notice, certificate of expected separation, SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action stating you were separated by RIF, OR a letter from your agency documenting your priority consideration status.
Veteran's Preference Documentation - If applying under VEOA, you must include your DD-214 member 4 copy showing what type of discharge, SF-15, and VA letter (if applicable). If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered active duty, separation date, and projected discharge type. Your separation date must be within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement. If selected for this position, you will be required to provide a copy of your terminal leave documentation.
Former Peace Corp and VISTA volunteers - If you are applying under this eligibility you MUST indicate on your application the special program and submit proof of eligibility with your application. Individuals who are eligible for consideration will be considered non-competitively for this vacancy.
Required Documents continued in next block under "How to Apply" section.
Interchange Agreements - In order to be eligible based on an OPM-approved interchange agreement, you must submit the most current Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) or equivalent personnel action that shows that you are eligible under the interchange agreement; AND any other required documents as outlined in interchange agreement for your agency. For a list of current interchange agreements, visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=InterchangeAgreementsWithOtherMeritSystems
To apply for this job opportunity, you must submit a complete application package including a resume and an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS. This information will be transferred to the DOI OIG's Automated Application System. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to complete the following application process:
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact at to obtain an alternative application. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
OFFICE OF CHIEF OF STAFF
1849 C St
Washington, DC 20240
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the closing date of the announcement, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. You will be notified by email of your rating and/or referral of your resume to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. You will be informed of the outcome via e-mail. We expect to make a selection within 45 to 60 days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
All documentation applicable to you must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit the required documents will disqualify you from further consideration for this position.
Resume (required) - Your resume must sufficiently describe how your experience fully meets the specialized experience requirements as stated in this announcement for each grade level(s) you are applying (see "Qualifications" section). Your resume must also support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. We cannot assume you have performed the duties and gained the experience required for this position regardless of your employment history or academic career. We strongly recommend you use the USA Jobs Online Resume Builder to submit a resume. If you choose to use your own formatted resume, you must ensure it contains all of the following for each experience/position listed: job title, name of employer, beginning and ending dates of employment (month/day/year format), hours worked per week, detailed description of duties performed, and if a Federal position, series and grade or equivalent. We will not access web pages linked to your resume to determine your qualifications. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself or any sensitive information.
SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action (required for current or former Federal employees) - If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must provide the most recent Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) that verifies career/career-conditional status (box 24 must show "1" or "2" and box 34 must show "1"), title, series, and grade (do not submit an Award SF-50). Also, provide the SF-50 that reflects the highest grade level held on a permanent basis or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. Candidates applying under an interchange agreement must also provide an SF-50 or equivalent document showing interchange eligibility. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.
Bureau of Land Management - Under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) two groups of individuals are eligible to apply under this announcement: current and/or former employees serving or who have served under time-limited competitive appointments at land management agencies.- Current appointees: 1) must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time-limited appointment with a land management agency; 2) must have served under one or more time-limited appointment(s) by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; and 3) must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service (Performance Appraisal Required). Former appointees: 1) must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time-limited appointment with a land management agency; 2) must have served under one or more time-limited appointment(s) by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; 3) must have separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; and 4) must have performed at an acceptable level through the service period (Performance Appraisal Required).
Performance Appraisal and Awards - While not required, due weight will be given to appraisals and awards submitted during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager. Such documents will not be used in determining if you meet the experience requirements.
CTAP/ICTAP Eligibility - Such as a RIF separation notice, certificate of expected separation, SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action stating you were separated by RIF, OR a letter from your agency documenting your priority consideration status.
Veteran's Preference Documentation - If applying under VEOA, you must include your DD-214 member 4 copy showing what type of discharge, SF-15, and VA letter (if applicable). If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered active duty, separation date, and projected discharge type. Your separation date must be within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement. If selected for this position, you will be required to provide a copy of your terminal leave documentation.
Former Peace Corp and VISTA volunteers - If you are applying under this eligibility you MUST indicate on your application the special program and submit proof of eligibility with your application. Individuals who are eligible for consideration will be considered non-competitively for this vacancy.
Required Documents continued in next block under "How to Apply" section.
Interchange Agreements - In order to be eligible based on an OPM-approved interchange agreement, you must submit the most current Notification of Personnel Action (Form SF-50) or equivalent personnel action that shows that you are eligible under the interchange agreement; AND any other required documents as outlined in interchange agreement for your agency. For a list of current interchange agreements, visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=InterchangeAgreementsWithOtherMeritSystems
To apply for this job opportunity, you must submit a complete application package including a resume and an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS. This information will be transferred to the DOI OIG's Automated Application System. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to complete the following application process:
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact at to obtain an alternative application. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
OFFICE OF CHIEF OF STAFF
1849 C St
Washington, DC 20240
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the closing date of the announcement, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. You will be notified by email of your rating and/or referral of your resume to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. You will be informed of the outcome via e-mail. We expect to make a selection within 45 to 60 days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
