This position is located in the Office of Inspector General (OIG), Headquarters, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Washington, DC. The incumbent for this position serves as a Writer - Editor (Recent Graduate) under the Chief Communications Officer within the Office of Strategic Communications and Programs. 

Duties

Since Congress established the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG) in 1978, we have been dedicated to providing independent and objective reviews of the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of DOT programs and operations. We are committed to detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse within the Department. Our work impacts the lives of every American, as the safe and efficient movement of people, goods, and information is vital to economic growth, global partnerships, and quality of life. Our audits and investigations lead to recoveries of significant amounts of improper payments, cost savings opportunities, and program improvements that directly enhance the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of the Nation’s transportation infrastructure.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Agreement.
• Cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher.
• This position is subject to a background investigation.
• Mandatory Education Requirement - Submit Transcripts
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 P.M. EST on the closing date.
• Applicants must graduate by June 30, 2024

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. Your application will be evaluated based on the following competencies: (1) Writing, (2) Attention to Detail, and  (3) Communications and Media GS-7: To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the federal service or private sector with the following: Experience writing and/or editing materials such as articles, reports, briefings, speeches, research papers, and correspondence. Experience collaborating with a team to produce a written product. Experience performing intermediate to advanced writing and editing tasks in Microsoft Word. These may include using templates and styles, creating documents with multiple sections and styles, creating and positioning text boxes, and troubleshooting formatting issues and inconsistencies. Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat Pro. OREducation: Completed one full academic year of graduate education in a related field such as English, creative writing, communications, media studies or another writing-intensive humanities field related to the position. 18 graduate (master's level) semester hours is considered a full academic year of graduate education.  ORCombination of Education and Experience: Applicants that possess a percentage of the required specialized experience and a percentage of the required graduate level education such that, when the percentages of the required graduate education and specialized experience are added together, they equal 100%. (Only graduate education and only professional experience equivalent to the GS-5 or higher is creditable.) 18 graduate (master's level) semester hours is considered a full academic year of graduate education. ORSuperior Academic Achievement: You possess a (Conferred) BACHELOR'S DEGREE in English, creative writing, communications, media studies or another writing-intensive humanities field related to the position that is qualifying for this position that meets the criteria for eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement provision through one of the following methods. No more than 10% of academic credit can be based on pass/fail or similar non-traditional grading systems.* 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on the official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum* 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.(Grade-point averages will be rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9)* Upper 1/3 ranking in graduating class (you must submit proof with your application)* National Scholastic Honor Society. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. (You must submit proof with your application) GS-09: You possess a  (Conferred) master's or equivalent graduate degree in English, creative writing, communications, media studies or another writing-intensive humanities field related to the position; OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree. OR Specialized Experience: GS-09: To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service or private sector including the following:  Experience demonstrating strong knowledge of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and editing practices. Experience writing and/or substantively editing various types of written communications such as articles, speeches, brochures, newsletters, reports, testimony, briefings, policies and procedures, correspondence, etc. Experience analyzing, interpreting, writing, and editing complex and technical information. Experience performing intermediate to advanced writing and editing tasks in Microsoft Word. These may include using templates and styles, creating documents with multiple sections and styles, creating and positioning text boxes, and troubleshooting formatting issues and inconsistencies. Experience using other publishing-related programs such as Microsoft PowerPoint and Publisher, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Adobe Creative Suite, or other programs. Experience in collaborating with others and building positive relationships with customers to propose edits, discuss questions and concerns, and present editorial ideas in group forums in a positive way.

Education

In accordance with 5 CFR 362.302. applicants must have obtained a qualifying associate, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational/technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution, within the previous two years unless military service interfered with a veteran’s eligibility to apply during that two-year time frame. Veterans meeting the above exclusion must apply within two years of discharge or six years from the date of receipt of the degree, whichever comes first.

This is a temporary Pathways Recent Graduate Program appointment not-to-exceed 1 year. Notwithstanding performance, misconduct or budgetary issues, a Recent Graduate, who is a U.S. Citizen, may be noncompetitively converted to a term or permanent position upon successful completion of the 1-year Pathways Program period when the recent graduate has:

1. Successfully completed at least one-year of continuous service in addition to fulfilling all the requirements of the Recent Graduates Program;
2. Demonstrated successful job performance consistent with the applicable performance appraisal program that results in a rating of record (or summary rating) of at least Achieved Results or equivalent;
3. Received a recommendation for conversion from the first-level supervisor; and
4. Meets the OPM Qualification Standard for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted.

NOTE: There is no guarantee for conversion.

Education: All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

Undergraduate or Graduate Education: Degree in English, creative writing, communications, media studies, or another writing-intensive humanities field.

NOTE: ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETE COPY OF THEIR TRANSCRIPTS. DEGREE AUDITS ARE NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTE FOR OFFICIAL/UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS.IF SELECTED, AN OFFICIAL/SEALED TRANSCRIPT WILL BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO AN APPOINTMENT DATE BEING ESTABLISHED. 

IF YOU HAVE EARNED A DEGREE FROM A FOREIGN INSTITUTION YOU MUST SUBMIT WITH YOUR APPLICATION EVIDENCE THAT ANY EDUCATION COMPLETED IN A FOREIGN INSTITUTION WAS APPROPRIATELY ACCREDITED BY AN ACCREDITING BODY RECOGNIZED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS EQUIVALENT TO U.S. STANDARDS. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, REFER TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WEB SITE AT http://www.ed.gov.

Contacts

• Address DOT, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 1200 New Jersey Ave SE Washington, District of Columbia 20590 United States
• Name: Karen Muller
• Phone: 202-366-1490
• Email: [email protected]