This position serves as Communications Engagement Specialist in the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Operations Office, Communications and Governmental Affairs. This position is responsible for engaging with a variety of key BJA stakeholders using outreach strategies and tactics that include regular liaison, distribution of BJA resources, materials and information, public events and targeted campaigns.

Duties

Serves as a Communications Engagement Specialist in the Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Operations Division; Develops, writes, edits, and regularly updates communications materials that facilitate and support the establishment and maintenance of positive relationships with BJA's key stakeholders, including state, local and tribal governments, agencies and community-based organizations; training and technical assistance providers; current grantees and prospective applicants; and key interest groups like - but not limited to - courts, corrections, law enforcement, mental health practitioners, researchers, criminal justice executives and policy makers. Collaborates with writer/editors to ensure message consistency, avoid redundancies, tailor materials to a variety of audiences and identify gaps in available resources; Develops and implements, with input from supervisor and BJA executive leadership, BJA's stakeholder communications and outreach strategy. Builds relationships and trust with the communications staff at key stakeholder organizations. Serves as communications expert to BJA leadership and staff regarding dissemination of BJA program information and fosters interaction among BJA leadership, staff, and key stakeholders in the criminal justice field. Identifies underserved and underrepresented key audiences; Prepares briefing packets, stakeholder messaging, speeches, talking points, slide decks and other communications materials and resources to support BJA executive leadership and program staff in their interactions with and presentations to the criminal justice field. Writes letters, memoranda, and reports related to official inquiries and public requests from key stakeholder groups that require knowledge of public information procedures and techniques, and familiarity with OJP and BJA policies, programs, and practices. Liaises with other OJP offices' staff to research, develop and/or gather information that is responsive to external requests from lawmakers, media and state, local and tribal governments; Identifies, plans, writes, edits, gathers, and prepares resources and materials for BJA sponsored and external conferences, events, and stakeholder and grantee meetings. Provides on-site and post-event communications support.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Subject to background/suitability investigation/determination.
• Federal payments are required to be made by Direct Deposit.
• Requires registration for the Selective Service. Visit www.sss.gov.
• Pre-employment drug testing required.
• 1-year probationary period may be required.
• Security Requirements: Non-Sensitive/Moderate Risk

Qualifications

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level. Specialized experience is experience which is in or related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples of specialized experience include: Developing, implementing, and evaluating a stakeholder communications and outreach strategy that built and maintained positive relationships with a variety of external stakeholder audiences; Collaborating internally across teams to gather information, coordinate messaging, and respond to incoming requests; Preparing leadership-level briefing packets, stakeholder messaging, speeches, talking points, slide decks, and other communications resources; Evaluating the effectiveness of stakeholder communications strategy and advised on potential stakeholder reaction to proposed policies and programs. Technical Qualifications: Applicants who meet the basic entry and minimum qualification requirements, as described above, will be further evaluated on the following technical qualifications: Communications and Media: Knowledge of the production, communication and dissemination of information and ideas to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media. Evaluating/Analyzing: Evaluate and analyze complex agency communication practices and procedures and develop recommendations for improved communication/information strategies. Influencing/Negotiating: Persuades others; builds consensus through give and take; gains cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals. Oral Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed. Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals. Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

There is no education requirement for this position.

Contacts

• Address Bureau of Justice Assistance DO NOT MAIL Washington, DC 20531 US
• Name: Joseph Mackey
• Phone: 202-812-6699
• Email: [email protected]