For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement. This position is also being announced to applicants eligible to apply through Merit Staffing procedures under 24-VAE-12232081-MS.

Duties

The Public Affairs Specialist is responsible for managing the public affairs program at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, which includes offices in Alexandria, Richmond, Norfolk, and Newport News. The incumbent is the primary advisor to the U.S. Attorney on all public affairs matters, including internal and external communications, media relations, and community outreach. The incumbent serves as an official spokesperson for EDVA, and is responsible for planning, coordinating, and disseminating public information relating to criminal prosecutions and civil litigation occurring throughout the district, both internally and externally to local, regional, and national media outlets. The incumbent is also responsible for responding to a high volume of media queries, and maintaining media contacts with local, regional, and national media outlets throughout EDVA.The incumbent also serves as the chief communications officer to various law enforcement partners regarding all communications matters involving federal criminal prosecutions in the Eastern District of Virginia. Due to the sensitive and confidential nature of ongoing law enforcement investigations, the incumbent exercises sound judgment and discretion in handling all inquiries. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation
• You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

GS-12: At the GS-12 level, you must meet one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level. Specialized Experience is defined as performing the following types of duties: developing news releases, fact sheets, talking points, and related materials for publication in printed media; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with media; and conducting workshops, seminars, and other meetings with various audiences. GS-13: At the GS-13 level, you must meet one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 level. Specialized Experience is defined as performing the following types of duties: establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with media; planning, coordinating, and disseminating information to print, online, and broadcast media; gathering and analyzing information and data from a variety of sources; ensuring accuracy of information. Applicants should possess excellent communication skills (oral and written), sound judgment, and the ability to represent the Office effectively during interactions with the media relating to sensitive and complex matters of criminal and civil law. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (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 the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component 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 satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking 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/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Education

No education requirements.

Contacts

• Address Eastern District of Virginia 2100 Jamieson Avenue Alexandria, VA 22314 US
• Name: Elizabeth Thomas
• Phone: 7032993700
• Email: [email protected]