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Summary

The Senate Sergeant at Arms is seeking a Media Relations Coordinator. The complete vacancy announcement and application can be found on the United States Senate Career Page at https://sen.gov/1VNZQ. This vacancy announcement closes at 11:59pm EST on the closing date. Late applications will not be accepted.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
NoThe Senate Sergeant at Arms does not pay for relocation expenses.
Salary
$74,367 - $130,143 per year
Pay scale & grade
AD 00
Promotion potential
0
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required - N/A
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Announcement number
req1110
Control number
889976600

Duties

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Issues press credentials and administers workspace for the Congressional press corps. Advises gallery members on Senate (and House, where applicable) operations such as scheduling, procedure, floor strategy, committee structure and jurisdiction, and parliamentary procedures. Reviews membership applications, processes membership dues, and maintains membership database and files. Maintains records of Senate (and House, where applicable) proceedings in some galleries with particular emphasis on recording votes, logging time of votes, writing summaries, and issuing briefs on significant legislation and events. Responds to inquiries concerning legislative and public affairs; researches legislative issues for media and Senate offices. Monitors television and radio coverage of Senate committee hearings. Briefs members of the media on key legislative initiatives and public policy; monitors, tracks, and analyzes Congressional activities to update media representatives. Coordinates logistics of media events, including determining the number of media representatives allowed to be present, media set-up and arrangements, and issuing press passes. Attends events as a liaison to facilitate media coverage, including determining logistical arrangements such as seating, restricted access, security, lighting, etc. Works in concert with Congressional offices and the media to arrange interviews, press conferences, meetings, and related media opportunities; assists in planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing media arrangements for quadrennial political conventions and inaugurals, Presidential debates, State of the Union addresses, major Congressional hearings, and related joint sessions or special events. Assists with planning, coordinating, and implementing media arrangements for quadrennial political conventions, Presidential inaugurals, State of the Union addresses, Supreme Court Justice confirmation hearings, other major Congressional hearings, joint sessions, impeachment trials, and special events. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • For conditions of employment and citizenship requirements, please visit the job announcement on the United States Senate Career Page at https://sen.gov/YO0NL.

Qualifications

Required Work Experience

  • At least two years of relevant experience.

Required Special Skills/ Knowledge

  • Knowledge of Congressional operations, including Senate and House procedures, scheduling, floor strategy, committee structures, jurisdiction, and parliamentary processes.
  • Basic understanding of legislative processes and vote procedures.
  • Basic understanding of media relations practices, including press credentialing, media access rules, and journalist engagement standards.
  • Knowledge of event logistics for Congressional and high-profile political events, including security, seating, lighting, and press arrangements.
  • General knowledge of public policy and major legislative issues sufficient to brief media and respond to inquiries.
  • Basic understanding of database and record-keeping systems.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing, with journalists, Congressional staff, and internal colleagues.
  • Ability to facilitate interviews, press conferences, hearings, and other media opportunities between Congress and the press.
  • Ability to assist in planning and organizing large, complex events, such as inaugurals, debates, State of the Union addresses, hearings, and joint sessions.
  • Ability to brief media representatives in a clear and concise manner.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced, high-pressure environments during major legislative events and breaking news.
  • Ability to make sound decisions regarding media access, logistics, and security considerations during live events.
  • Ability to maintain accurate records, including vote logs, summaries, and documentation of significant Congressional actions.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with media outlets, Congressional offices, and internal teams to support smooth operations and event execution.
  • Ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances, such as shifting schedules, evolving legislative developments, or unexpected event requirements.
  • Capacity to adapt to change, stay updated on customer needs, maintain knowledge of media trends, and drive innovation within the SAA.
  • As part of our hiring process, we may conduct a skills assessment to better understand an applicant’s proficiency in key areas relevant to the role. 

Desired Qualifications

  • Strong customer service skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally with diverse stakeholders.
  • Experience in or understanding of media relations, including working with journalists and news organizations.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Working Conditions

  • May occasionally be required to work long hours.
  • Extended periods of standing may be required.
  • Essential Services are functions and activities that are critical to the continuous operation, security, and support of the United States Senate. These services must remain operational without interruption to ensure the Senate can conduct official business. Positions supporting essential services require employees to be available and prepared to work, including during inclement weather, holidays, weekends, late nights, and overnight hours. Due to the nature of Senate operations, essential services, including network operations and infrastructure, cannot be suspended while the Senate is in session, and maintenance activities may be required outside of normal business hours.
  • Excepted Services refer to functions and activities that are authorized to continue during a lapse in appropriations because they are necessary to the performance of the Senate’s constitutional functions, address emergency circumstances that imminently threaten the safety of human life or the protection of property, or directly support essential services of the United States Senate. Employees in excepted positions are generally required to work and remain operational during a lapse in appropriations to ensure continuity of critical Senate functions. These positions may involve working non-standard schedules, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours, to maintain uninterrupted service and operational readiness.

Education

Bachelors Degree.

Additional information

The Sergeant at Arms is an equal opportunity employer in accordance with the requirements of Senate rules, regulations, and applicable Federal Laws. 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. Decisions to grant reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Please email SAARecruitment@saa.senate.gov with “Applicant Accommodation” in the subject line. No moving, relocation or pre-employment travel expenses will be paid for this position, or while in application for this position.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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 by a panel on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education. Highly qualified candidates may be interviewed and a reference check conducted.

Senate

The Office of the Sergeant at Arms (SAA) is the largest in size of staff and budget in the Senate. It is responsible for all Senate computers and technology support services, recording and photographic services, printing and graphics services, and telecommunications services. The SAA also provides assistance to all Senate offices with their staffing, mailing, purchasing, and financial needs. The offices of the SAA that are responsible for providing these and other services include Capitol Facilities, the Operations Division, Customer Relations, Financial Operations, Human Resources, and Information Security. The SAA also shares responsibility for the U.S. Capitol Police, the Senate Page Program, the Senate Office of Training and Development, and the Capitol Telephone Exchange. The Sergeant at Arms is an excepted service agency. Employment with the Sergeant at Arms does not confer the "Competitive Status" that generally results from selection and service in Competitive Service agencies.

Agency contact information

Email
SAARecruitment@saa.senate.gov
Address
U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms
US. Senate Capitol Office Building
Washington, DC, Washington, DC 20001

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