Public Affairs Specialist
What you'd do
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon is seeking to fill a Public Affairs Officer position located in our Portland, Oregon office. 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.
Major duties
As the Public Affairs Officer, you will administer a comprehensive communications program to inform and engage the public, news media, community organizations, and other stakeholders about the work and priorities of the United States Attorney's Office. Typical work assignments will include: Planning, initiating, and implementing comprehensive public affairs and communications strategies to enhance public understanding of USAO initiatives, priorities, and the Department of Justice's role in advancing the rule of law and instilling public confidence in the justice system. Serving as the office's chief spokesperson and principal communications advisor to the United States Attorney and senior leadership on all matters involving media relations and public messaging. Developing and executing proactive and reactive communications strategies, including crisis communications planning, to ensure accurate, timely, and consistent information reaches the public across all channels. Handling privileged, sensitive, and law enforcement-sensitive information with discretion, ensuring that public communications do not compromise active investigations, ongoing prosecutions, or the privacy rights of victims, witnesses, and defendants. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with members of the local and national news media, specialized groups, community organizations, and other stakeholders interested in the office's work and initiatives. Producing a broad range of high-quality written communications, including press releases, public statements, speeches, talking points, op-eds, and articles for both national publications and district-level distribution. Managing the office's social media presence and other digital communications platforms, developing content that advances office priorities and accurately represents the office's work to diverse audiences. Organizing and coordinating media interviews, press conferences, and other public-facing events involving senior leadership and staff; oversees logistics and preparation for all media engagements. Providing expert advisory services and communications leadership to public affairs officers at federal, state, and local law enforcement partner agencies, promoting coordinated and consistent public messaging across the law enforcement community. Developing messaging frameworks and strategic communications initiatives that strengthen public trust in the justice system and help audiences understand the Department of Justice's mission and impact. Coordinating with public affairs officers at other United States Attorney's Offices on shared cases and initiatives, and maintaining close working relationships with public affairs staff at Department of Justice headquarters. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
What you need to qualify
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 print and broadcast 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: developing news releases, fact sheets, talking points, and related materials for publication in printed media; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with print and broadcast media; speech writing; managing press events; executive-level support for media and business interviews; and conducting workshops, seminars, and other meetings with various audiences. 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/.
Before you apply
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