This position is located in the Office of Communications, Information Division, Federal Election Commission (FEC). One of the Commission's strategic objectives is to encourage voluntary compliance with the FECA. To meet that objective, the Commission has established an extensive outreach program for advising the regulated community and the general public on the FECA's requirements. This is a bargaining unit position.

Duties

The Public Affairs Specialist (Communications Specialist) works side-by-side with Commissioners and senior staff to develop public information programs and technical documents on campaign laws for both information and training purposes. A Communications Specialist fully participates in division strategies to increase public awareness and compliance with these laws. Duties include: Researching and writing instructional materials (campaign guides, the Record, e-learning videos and other online content) that integrate complex rules and procedures expressed in the U.S. Code, advisory opinions, matters under review (MURs), court opinions, regulations and explanations and justifications of the regulations. Responding to complex oral and written inquiries about the federal election law, independently providing research material and guidance about how to comply with the law or whether to request a formal advisory opinion. Developing and presenting workshops at campaign finance conferences and seminars; briefing foreign delegations, students and others on the FEC and its mission.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• You must be able to pass a background investigation.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Legal and regulatory guidance below).
• You may be required to serve a 2 year probationary period.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
• Candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade).

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience and/or education requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. If qualifying based on education, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application. Qualifications for the GS-1035-09: A. You must have at least one full year of specialized experience. This must include activities such as: (1) assisting with developing public information programs and technical documents on campaign laws for information and training purposes; (2) writing a variety of public affairs materials to reach targeted audiences; (3) responding to basic inquiries about the federal election law based on researched material and guidance; (4) communicating agency information, rules, and/or legal requirements to a variety of audiences. This experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained either in private or public sector). OR B. Have a master's degree, 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. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (Note: you must submit copies of your transcripts) OR C. Have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate education. Note: To compute this, first determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required above; then determine your total qualifying graduate education as a percentage of the education required above; add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal to 100 percent to qualify. (Note: you must submit copies of your transcripts) Qualifications for the GS-1035-11: A. You must have at least one full year of specialized experience. This must include activities such as: (1) assisting in the creation of communications materials to promote program events, activities, policies, or initiatives; (2) developing portions of public information programs and technical documents on campaign laws for information and training purposes; (3) drafting articles, e-learning video scripts, or other online content regarding rules and legal requirements of the agency; (4) developing and posting web content to advertise an agency's programs, policies, and/or determinations; (5) speaking to political party officials and/or members of the public about the requirements of the law. This experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained either in private or public sector). OR B. Have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher graduate level education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (Note: you must submit copies of your transcripts) OR C. Have an equivalent combination of the specialized experience described in "A" and the graduate-level education described in "B". To determine if you qualify under this combination, first determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the specialized experience required; then determine your education as a percentage of the graduate education required (note: only graduate education in excess of the first two years is creditable for this combination); and then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Note: you must submit copies of your transcripts) Qualifications for the GS-1035-12: A. You must have at least one full year of specialized experience. This must include activities such as: (1) creating communications materials to promote program events, activities, policies, and/or initiatives on national communication platforms; (2) developing public information programs or technical documents on campaign laws for information and training purposes; (3) writing instructional materials, correspondence, and/or memoranda; (4) responding to complex inquiries about the federal election law based on researched material and guidance; (5) organizing an outreach program to advise on laws affecting the regulated community and the general public. This experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained either in private or public sector). TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-07 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 grade level. One year at the GS-09 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 grade level. One year at the GS-11 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 grade level. (Must submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No award SF-50 will be accepted). In addition, you must provide a cover letter describing your experience with the competencies identified below. Communications and Media - Knowledge of the production, communication and dissemination of information and ideas to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media. External Awareness - Understands and keeps up-to-date on local, national, and international policies and trends that affect the organization and shape stakeholders' views; is aware of the organization's impact on the external environment. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately. Writing - Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience. Part-time or unpaid experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. Volunteer work experience: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If you are selected for the GS-09 or GS-11: Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.

Education

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you received a degree, the transcript must show the date the degree was awarded or conferred.

A self-created transcript, or a list of courses you have prepared, is not acceptable.

Foreign education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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, click Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov) You must provide translated transcripts.

Contacts

• Address Federal Election Commission 1050 First Street NE Washington, DC 20463 US
• Name: San Antonio Services Branch
• Phone: 816-541-8101
• Email: [email protected]