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.

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Duties

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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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

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.

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.

Education

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

Additional information

Veterans' Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email View email address on click.appcast.io to schedule a session with a career counselor ("Veterans Counseling Session" should be placed in the subject line of the email).

Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment.

Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check.

This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures.

Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

As an ED employee, you will also benefit from our family-friendly work environment. As part of our commitment to maintain a work life balance, we offer excused leave for Parent/Teacher Conferences (3 hours); excused leave for annual health screenings (4 hours); and matching leave for community volunteer service. Other flexibilities that may be available to you include alternative work schedules.

You may be eligible to receive a recruitment incentive for this position. To receive this incentive payment, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon.

You may be eligible to receive a relocation incentive for this position. To receive this incentive payment, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon.

You may be eligible to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program as a recruitment incentive for this position. To receive student loan repayments, you will be required to sign a service agreement obligating you to remain with the U.S. Department of Education for a specified period as agreed upon.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.