The Office of Public Affairs (OPA) of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC or Commission) is the primary public-facing office that provides honest, timely and useful information across all communication platforms in order to serve internal and external stakeholders in all sectors to accomplish and facilitate CFTC’s mission. OPA proactively conducts outreach and creates messages designed to raise awareness of the CFTC brand in order to promote public trust.
Summary
The Office of Public Affairs (OPA) of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC or Commission) is the primary public-facing office that provides honest, timely and useful information across all communication platforms in order to serve internal and external stakeholders in all sectors to accomplish and facilitate CFTC’s mission. OPA proactively conducts outreach and creates messages designed to raise awareness of the CFTC brand in order to promote public trust.
If selected for this position you will serve as a Public Affairs Specialist with primary responsibility for writing, coordinating and releasing of enforcement press releases, recommend social media posting for those releases, and being a liaison to the Enforcement Division for any press calls or interview opportunities. Further, the incumbent will assist in writing, editing and releasing other non-enforcement press releases and materials as needed. You will assist with other day-to-day public affairs activities, including serving as back-up for compiling CFTC’s Daily News Clips. As a Public Affairs Specialist you will perform duties such as:
Developing, coordinating, implementing, and overseeing the OPA enforcement related public affairs program objectives and provides a high level of original and creative analysis, interpretation, and formulation in accordance with the mission of OPA, the Commission and the interests of the Director, Chairman and Commissioners.
Performing highly complex assignments to assist the Director in formulating media outreach concerning CFTC enforcement initiatives and education efforts.
Serving as the primary OPA person for enforcement related press releases, media outreach, handling incoming media calls, social media and looks for other opportunities to proactively advance the agency’s enforcement role and efforts to protect consumers from fraud and manipulation. Working with the Enforcement Division’s staff to develop press releases and supporting documentation such as fact sheets, Q and A’s or other media friendly supporting documents that tell the story of the enforcement action.
Working with the Enforcement Division to create, write and promote the agency’s annual enforcement results, which is typically released in the fall of each year. Coordinating with the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs to ensure that enforcement content is provided to Congress, state Attorneys General and other interested parties.
Fielding incoming press calls (but won’t have on the record ability without clearance) and makes recommendations to the director on how best to handle. Devising, creating and finding1 opportunities to highlight CFTC’s enforcement programs through interviews, profiles, and using other public relations techniques and practices to elevate the program. Creating social media content in an effort to keep a sustained source of information to remind the public of the CFTC’s enforcement and customer protection efforts.
Posting content to the website and be responsible for press release distribution through electronic applications and services (Drupal/Cision). Working with the Whistleblower Office on their media announcements and working with the Whistleblower Office staff members to promote their program and overall efforts. Updating and maintaining press lists of white-collar crime reporters and other media who cover CFTC enforcement programs.
Carrying out special assignments and studies for the Director and Associate Director on various national and international public affairs initiatives which impact on the public and commodity futures trading industry perception of the CFTC. Undertaking other special projects which may include research involving industry perception of CFTC enforcement policies related to derivatives, foreign exchange and related systemically important financial matters. Participating in the development of supporting data, obtains the views of concerned parties, analyzes the diverse considerations and makes recommendations consistent with the objectives of the research, assuring that issues are appropriately addressed.
Conducting ongoing analyses of media related issues in the assigned area in order to identify actual or potential problem areas, to determine the possible impact on OPA public affairs program responsibilities and activities, and to develop appropriate information and recommendations in order to maintain a proactive stance for the Director on pertinent issues.
May be required to serve a one-year probationary period
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency (knowledge, skills and abilities) in the following areas:
Communications and Media - Knowledge of the production, communication and dissemination of information and ideas to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Technical Ability - Demonstrated ability to post content to the website and be responsible for press release distribution through electronic applications and services.
Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
Qualifications
CT-14 Level: To qualify for the CT-14 level you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS/CT-13 level). Specialized experience is defined that through which one has gained experience:
Experience demonstrating mastery of the principles, methods, practices and techniques of a successful press, communications and public affairs office.
Experience using and interpreting the results related to the use of various communication techniques and technology, including the use of a wide range of media tools and the collection of feedback data on the effectiveness of communications.
Experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships in meeting and dealing with executives, supervisors, managers, employees, private sector representatives and others.
Experience gathering, reviewing and analyzing data to determine stakeholder familiarity and reaction/ acceptance of implemented and proposed policies.
Experience in event planning, including programming and logistics for conferences.
Education
Education is not required, nor may it be substituted to qualify for this position.
Additional information
All employees are required to follow the Agency’s telework policy. If selected, you will be required to report to your assigned duty station to complete all onboarding procedures.
This is a Bargaining Unit Position located in the National Treasury Employee Union (NTEU) Chapter 337.
Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid.
Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period, if applicable.
More than the number of positions listed may be filled through this vacancy announcement.
The overall salary range is provided for informational purposes as it represents the full range that is applicable to current employees in this occupation/grade. A new hire's direct and overall experience are critical factors in determining a salary offer, therefore, it is important that your resume fully reflects all of your work experience. Note that the upper end of each range is typically applicable only to candidates with significant years of work experience and qualifications. Please review the CFTC Compensation Program website for additional information.
The law prohibits public officials from appointing, promoting, or recommending their relatives. The law prohibits requesting, making, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations for employment or other personnel actions for non-political positions. This includes recommendations from Members of Congress, Congressional employees, elected state or local officials, and political party officials and any recommendation based on party affiliation.
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.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under CFTC Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the best qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Candidates within the best qualified category who are eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.
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.
You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:
Resume showing all relevant and related experience (cover letter optional). If selected, your resume will be used to determine your initial pay setting decision;
Performance appraisal (optional);
Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veteran preference, you should indicate the type of veteran preference you are claiming on your resume. In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, please submit a copy of your veteran's documentation including a DD-214 (member 4 copy preferred, however, the documentation provided must contain dates and character of service); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions. In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, “Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference,” and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim. Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under “How You Will Be Evaluated,” veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.ICTAP
Candidates MUST submit: 1. A copy of their agency reduction-in-force notice; 2. A copy of your most recent Performance Rating; 3. A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current or last position held, the grade level, and the duty location; and 4. A copy of your notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area or documentation showing you were separated as a result of RIF or declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP): Provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the CFTC with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If CFTC has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must rate equivalent to the Well Qualified or better category using established rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.
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.
YOU MUST APPLY ONLINE: Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. You must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at USAJOBS.GOV. To begin, click the Apply Online button within the vacancy announcement and follow the prompts to create an account using LOGIN.GOV, if you have not done so already. LOGIN.GOV will walk you through each step of the account set-up and will automatically link your USAJOBS profile to LOGIN.GOV. Once you have established an account using LOGIN.GOV, you will then go back to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV username and password to answer the questions and submit all required documents. If you already have established an LOGIN.GOV account or want to return to your saved application, go to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV username and password to apply or view your profile. If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or phone at 1-866.656.6831. The help desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST.
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/.
Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:
Resume showing all relevant and related experience (cover letter optional). If selected, your resume will be used to determine your initial pay setting decision;
Performance appraisal (optional);
Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veteran preference, you should indicate the type of veteran preference you are claiming on your resume. In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, please submit a copy of your veteran's documentation including a DD-214 (member 4 copy preferred, however, the documentation provided must contain dates and character of service); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions. In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, “Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference,” and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim. Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under “How You Will Be Evaluated,” veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.ICTAP
Candidates MUST submit: 1. A copy of their agency reduction-in-force notice; 2. A copy of your most recent Performance Rating; 3. A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current or last position held, the grade level, and the duty location; and 4. A copy of your notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area or documentation showing you were separated as a result of RIF or declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP): Provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the CFTC with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If CFTC has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must rate equivalent to the Well Qualified or better category using established rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.
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.
YOU MUST APPLY ONLINE: Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. You must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at USAJOBS.GOV. To begin, click the Apply Online button within the vacancy announcement and follow the prompts to create an account using LOGIN.GOV, if you have not done so already. LOGIN.GOV will walk you through each step of the account set-up and will automatically link your USAJOBS profile to LOGIN.GOV. Once you have established an account using LOGIN.GOV, you will then go back to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV username and password to answer the questions and submit all required documents. If you already have established an LOGIN.GOV account or want to return to your saved application, go to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV username and password to apply or view your profile. If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or phone at 1-866.656.6831. The help desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST.
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/.
Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
