Public Affairs Specialist

Summary For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement. This position is also being announced to All U.S. Citizens and Nationals under 26-OKN-13078455-DE. Duties Typical work assignments will include: Planning, directing and executing public affairs program to inform and educate the general and specialized public about programs, activities and services, including disseminating information and promoting an understanding of USAO programs, initiatives and priorities. Planning and coordinating with news media coverage and press conferences for special programs, events and cases, including engaging with representatives of the public as well as other local, state, and federal law enforcement. Developing, implementing and planning social media strategies, social media messaging and social media/social networking programs. Establishing and maintaining existing professional working relationships with members of the local, regional, and national print and broadcast media representatives and specialized groups interested in United States Attorney's Office activities. Establishing and maintaining contacts with Federal, state, and local law enforcement organizations and agencies, civil rights groups, and other community interest groups. Developing and writing material to provide to the news media and law enforcement community, such as press releases, feature stories, background information, data compilations, and articles on office program priorities. Serves as the District's contact and coordinator for information requests, in written and oral form, from news media, and specialized and general public inquiries on significant United States Attorney's Office matters. Maintaining office files, projects, media contacts, distribution lists, and records related to outreach and communication activities, utilizing social media platforms. Executing campaigns to enhance understanding of the United States Attorney's initiatives. among the general public, specialized groups and organizations and utilizing major social media platforms. Working with Assistant United States Attorneys to draft and/or review press releases regarding cases, matters and other initiatives of the USAO to inform and educate the public. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Qualifications GS-11: To be eligible for the GS-11, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions: Specialized experience, education, OR a combination of education and experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as developing news releases, fact sheets, talking points, and related materials for publication in printed media; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with print and broadcast media, law enforcement agencies, government entities, community organizations and other external stakeholders; and conducting workshops, seminars, and other meetings with various audiences. Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Communications, Journalism, Public Relations), a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field (e.g., Communications, Journalism, Public Relations); OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M., if related. Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position. Combining Education and Experience: A combination of specialized experience as described in A and graduate-level education as described in B which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of two years. GS-12: To be eligible at the GS-12 level, you must have at least one full year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level in Federal Service. Specialized Experience: Planning and managing the public relations program of an organization involving issues of significant public interest; developing a dynamic and effective communication plan designed to educate the public about an organization's initiatives, programs, and operations; establishing and maintaining effective and professional working relationships with print and broadcast media representatives, law enforcement agencies, government entities, community organizations and other external stakeholders; drafting, reviewing, and editing press releases, press statements, remarks, and speeches; developing and transmitting public information to the press, as a spokesperson for an organization; and establishing and maintaining working relationships with outside groups in achieving understanding with individuals indifferent to or having opposing points of view of an organization's policies and programs. Education All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see OR Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.