Establishes and maintains mutual communications between Federal agencies and the public; advises agency management on policy formulation and the potential public reaction to proposed policy; identifies communication needs; develops informational material on agency policies.

Duties

Research and write press releases, news stories, blog posts, and other materials about NIST research and programs. Pitch NIST news to media outlets, respond to media inquiries about NIST research, programs and activities, and arrange media tours of NIST labs. Develop text for infographics and social media posts. Establish and maintain relationships with NIST research staff in an assigned beat area. Provide communication coaching and advice to NIST staff. Provide communication advice to NIST program managers.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Merit applicants must meet time-in-grade/band requirements, as applicable
• Applicant must submit with their application two writing samples that demonstrate the ability to translate complex chemistry, physics, biotechnology and/or computer science research concepts into journalistic lay language (selective placement factor)
• Bargaining Unit Position: No

Qualifications

ZA-II: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level (ZA-I at NIST) in the federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience writing and editing content for communicating scientific and technical research topics to a variety of audiences in lay language and journalistic style; and experience pitching science news to various media outlets. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D., if related OR Equivalent combination of education and experience. ZA-III: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 (ZA-II at NIST) or equivalent grade level as described in the vacancy announcement. Specialized experience is defined as experience writing and editing content for communicating complex scientific and technical research topics to a variety of audiences in lay language and journalistic style; and experience pitching science news to various media outlets. Writing Samples- Selective Placement Factor Applicants must submit with their application two writing samples that demonstrate the ability to translate complex chemistry, physics, biotechnology and/or computer science research concepts into journalistic lay language. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done. We will credit all qualifying volunteer experience in your application. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Education

Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required prior to a final offer of employment.

Education completed outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with a course by course listing) is required with your application.

Contacts

• Address Public Affairs Office 100 Bureau Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20899 US
• Name: Audrey Zimmerman
• Phone: 301-975-4926
• Email: [email protected]