This position is located in the Division of Consumer and Business Education (DCBE), within the Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP), Federal Trade Commission (FTC). DCBE is a dynamic communications shop, responsible for developing and marketing culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate educational materials to help consumers know their rights in the marketplace, and to help businesses comply with the FTC laws and regulations.

Duties

The Consumer Education Specialist (Languages) in DCBE helps implement education and outreach programs for national and regional campaigns on consumer protection topics that reach audiences that speak languages other than English and Spanish (e.g., Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese); writes plain-language, persuasive education materials designed to reach specific audiences; researches effective methods to reach intended audiences; and collects and analyzes information and statistics from a variety of sources to evaluate campaign results. The Consumer Education Specialist (Languages): Participates in developing mission-critical education programs related to consumer protection issues, including fraud, privacy, advertising, credit, technology, and mobile issues. Collaborates to create new consumer education methods and strategies - including identifying new audiences, new ways to reach existing audiences, new styles of writing and outreach to reach those audiences, and education campaigns on new topics. Demonstrates familiarity with language usage in communities across the United States in general, how to reach audiences in-language with educational messages, and relevant communications tools. Drafts plain language materials including articles, blog posts, presentations, video scripts, and talking points. Ensures written materials adhere to Division standards to more effectively promote the agency's efforts in-language to reach communities of widely diverse cultures and needs. Presents ideas for new articles and blogs to convey consumer-friendly messages to speakers of languages other than English. Works closely with staff in the Divisions to develop new content regarding consumer privacy, fraud, advertising, credit, technology, mobile and other issues. Proofreads and copy edits a wide variety of consumer education publications in English and at least one other language other than English or Spanish. Ensures accuracy and cultural appropriateness of in-language communications in languages other than English and Spanish. Participates in the planning, management, and evaluation of national and regional consumer and business education campaigns to reach audiences in-language with educational messages, and relevant communications tools. Speaks, reads, and writes fluently in English and at least one other language, preferably Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese. Advises DCBE on best practices to communicate effectively, persuasively, and appropriately with speakers of other languages. Identifies relevant communities and helps build relationships, including planning, attending, and participating in community events. Develops and disseminates materials and presentations in-language. Sets deadlines and goals and ensures they are met. Coordinates projects and works to resolve conflicting priorities. Uses project management skills in teams of specialists and contractors to help plan, develop, execute, and evaluate culturally relevant education campaigns in languages other than English or Spanish, preferably including Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese. Works with the language access team to develop creative strategies and coordinates work. Establishes partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as non-profits and other groups, to extend the reach of the agency. Creates web content, blogs, and websites, including www.consumer.ftc.gov. Advises the team on when to develop new, culturally, and linguistically relevant content or when to revise existing content. Skillfully creates culturally appropriate plain language content and helps division members better target plain language, culturally appropriate content to audiences. Participates in establishing best practices for BCP, which are used in developing FTC content to reach consumers who speak languages other than English or Spanish.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
• This position is subject to a background investigation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
• You may serve a one-year probationary period under this appointment.
• You must meet time-in-grade requirement by the closing date of this vacancy.
• You must submit a copy of your performance appraisal with your application.
• This position is in the bargaining unit.
• This position is designated as eligible for remote work. If selected, you must be approved for remote work prior to onboarding in accordance with FTC's Workplace Flexibilities Policy.
• If approved for remote work or telework from a regional office, your salary may change based on your official duty station.

Qualifications

To qualify for a Consumer Education Specialist at the GS-09 level, you must meet the following requirements: You must be fluent in speaking, reading, and writing in English and at least one other language, preferably Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese; and have completed a Master's or equivalent graduate degree; or have two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.B. or J.D., if related. Or; you must be fluent in speaking, reading, and writing in English and at least one other language, preferably Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese; and demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: contributing to the design, implementation of high-impact communication campaigns; helping develop a variety of consumer informational and educational materials and products for print, web, and video; responding to inquiries regarding standard consumer education issues; participating in the modification of standard communication practices and approaches to increase awareness among a variety of audiences; and assist in developing partnerships with stakeholders at the federal, state and/or local levels. Or; you must be fluent in speaking, reading, and writing in English and at least one other language, preferably Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese; and have a combination of post baccalaureate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. To qualify for a Consumer Education Specialist at the GS-11 level, you must meet the following requirements: You must be fluent in speaking, reading, and writing in English and at least one other language, preferably Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese; and have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. Or; you must be fluent in speaking, reading, and writing in English and at least one other language, preferably Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese; and demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to the GS-09 in the Federal Service, obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: working in teams to design, implement and evaluate high-impact communications campaigns; contributing to the development of a variety of consumer informational and educational materials and products for print, web, and video; developing partnerships with stakeholders at the federal, state and/or local levels; and working in teams to develop consumer education campaign plans, including writing blog posts or other web/print/video materials about consumer education topics. Or; you must be fluent in speaking, reading, and writing in English and at least one other language, preferably Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese; and have a combination of education and experience, which qualify me for this position. To qualify for a Consumer Education Specialist at the GS-12 level, you must meet the following requirements: You must be fluent in speaking, reading, and writing in English and at least one other language, preferably Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese; and demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal Service, obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: designing, implementing, and evaluating high-impact communications campaigns; developing a variety of consumer informational and educational materials and products for print, web, and video; developing and maintaining partnerships with stakeholders at the federal, state and/or local levels; and creating consumer education campaign plans, including writing blog posts and publications about consumer education topics. 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.

Education

If you qualify on the basis of education in lieu of experience, you must submit a copy of your transcripts. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: FOREIGN EDUCATION

Contacts

• Address Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Suite H-723 Washington, DC 20580 US
• Name: Corey Pickeral
• Phone: 202-326-3002
• Email: [email protected]