Communication Specialist

Summary

This position is located in Office of Inspector General, External and Enterprise Affairs, Congressional and Communications Services. The incumbent is responsible for creating and disseminating communications tailored to both internal and external audiences, utilizing a variety of formats and channels, including social media and newsletters, to ensure effective engagement and outreach.

Duties

• Fraud doesn't stop, and neither do we. We're the Office of Inspector General, an independent oversight office within the U.S. Department of Education (ED) charged with identifying and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, and ensuring accountability and effectiveness within ED programs. If you want to help fight fraud and make a difference for America's students, schools, and taxpayers, we may have the career for you! We offer competitive salaries, opportunities for rapid and substantial salary increases and career growth, great benefits, employee recognition programs, and more. Often referred to as America's watchdogs, it's our job to help ensure that the hard-earned tax dollars that fund ED programs and operations are used as intended by law, achieve the desired results, and reach the intended recipients. The OIG conducts audits and reviews of issues involving Federal student aid, K-12 schools, charter schools, special education, vocational education, adult education, and more. When our work identifies problems, we propose solutions. Our work has resulted in improvements to ED programs and changes to some of the most important Federal education laws in our country. We conduct criminal and civil investigations into suspected fraudulent activities by schools, colleges, universities, contractors, subcontractors, school officials-any entity or individual that participates in ED programs or receives ED funding. Through our work, we have unraveled multimillion-dollar fraud schemes by people placed in positions of trust to educate our children. We're also on the cutting edge of cybersecurity, using the latest technology and techniques to discover and defeat current and emerging threats from cyber and economic crime. We tackle new and emerging issues head-on and continually work to improve our techniques and capabilities. We consistently expand our expertise by training and developing our staff. This dedication has enabled the OIG to become a leader in the Federal government in the areas of audits, investigations, and fighting cybercrime. Whether you are just entering the workforce or are a seasoned professional, if you're looking for a career rather than just a job, and shaping the next generation of American's tackling tomorrow's challenges, consider joining our team. As a Communication Specialist GS-0301-12, the incumbent will perform the following duties: Assists in the development of content and communications plans and executes strategies aimed at increasing the scope and reach of OIG information to the public and other stakeholders across various communications channels. Creates content for external and internal products (newsletters, brochures, videos, etc.), writes articles, reports, and other web and social media content, creating materials on a broad range of topics, including those of a sensitive nature. Manages individual or serial publications from initial conception and content determination through distribution. Assists the OIG Managing Editor in enforcing guidelines for the editorial tone and style of communications content. As a Communication Specialist GS-0301-13, the incumbent will perform the following duties: Proposes and executes content and communications strategies aimed at increasing the scope and reach of OIG information to the public and other stakeholders across various communication channels. Creates content for external and internal products (newsletters, brochures, videos etc.), writes articles, reports, and other web and social media content, creating materials on a broad range of topics, including those of a sensitive nature. Translates complex information into narratives easily understandable by the general public. Assists the OIG Managing Editor and audit teams to develop report messaging, including developing outlines and determining finding elements and relevant supporting evidence.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-12, if you possess the specialize experience. Specialized Experience for the GS-12: One year of experience in federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-11 performing the following duties or work assignments: 1. Ability to and experience in coordinating multiple assignments simultaneously and meet deadlines. 2. Experience analyzing, selecting, and organizing the information to present considering (1) OIG policy; (2) OIG or other governmental style requirements; (3) consistency with other information presented by the OIG and (4) the level of knowledge and expected reaction of the intended internal or external audience. 3. Knowledge and experience in creating and writing a variety of materials and products in a manner suitable for the intended audience and consistent with requirements of OIG standards and guidance. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement). 1. Strategic thinking to help develop and carry out an organization's messaging and align communications efforts with organizational goals 2. Experience with writing different communications and knowledge of, familiarity with social media. 3. Knowledge of and experience with the methods used to gather, analyze, evaluate, and communicate information concerning Federal audit, evaluation, and inspections programs or practices. 4. Familiarity with of writing styles, editorial quality, readability, and appropriate presentation of materials. You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-13, if you possess the specialize experience. Specialized Experience for the GS-13: One year of experience in federal service that is equivalent to at least a GS-12 performing the following duties or work assignments: 1. Experience in coordinating multiple assignments simultaneously and meet deadlines. 2. Ability to and experience in analyzing both the subject and the audience and presenting the material interestingly, clearly, accurately, thoroughly, and convincingly. 3. Experience writing, creating, and reviewing draft and final materials. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). You do not need to provide separate narrative responses to these KSAs, as they will be measured by your responses to the occupational questionnaire (you may preview the occupational questionnaire by clicking the link at the end of the Evaluations section of this vacancy announcement). 1. Skill in envisioning and implementing strategic internal communications plans, and selecting the appropriate communication tools for specific outcomes and audiences. 2. Knowledge of and experience in producing content for different communications vehicles while maintaining a consistent brand voice. 3. Ability to convey complex information regarding the OIG's mission to the public as well as internal policies that affect employees. 4. Skill in conveying information and policies orally and in writing in clear, concise, well- structured, and persuasive ways.

Requirements

Condition of Employment: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period or trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. If you are a current federal employee, you must meet all time-in-grade and time-after competitive appointment qualifications within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To verify that you meet these requirements, we will review your responses to the core eligibility questions on the occupational questionnaire, as well as your submitted resume and required documents. To make an accurate determination, you will need to include on your resume your federal position title, pay plan, occupational series, grade level, agency, dates for which you held the grade level (stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, OR MM/YYYY to PRESENT), and total hours worked per week. 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). Key Requirement - Relocation will not be paid. Key Requirement - Males 18 and over must be registered with the Selective Service. Key Requirement - You may be subject to serve a one-year probationary period. Key Requirement - Must be a US Citizen Key Requirement - May be required to complete a background clearance and fingerprint check.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience for this position and grade level.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside about two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.