Public Affairs Specialist

Summary The mission of the PAO is to coordinate the relations of the Department with the news media and serve as the center for information about all components of the Department. The PAO ensures that the public is informed about the Department's activities and about the priorities and policies of the Attorney General and the President in the fields of law enforcement and legal affairs. This announcement is open to current or former federal employees and specific hiring authorities. Responsibilities The duties and responsibilities for a GS-1035-Public Affairs Specialist-13 generally include, but are not limited to, the following: Serves as the senior national Public Affairs Specialist on-the-record spokesperson. Designs federal law enforcement public affairs programs and/or journalistic experience covering federal enforcement programs. Plans and manages public relations programs involving issues that are controversial. Handles queries from the media, other government agencies about DOJ activities. Develops policies and provides recommendations regarding dissemination of information to correct mis-perceptions. Drafts, reviews, and edits press releases, press statements, remarks, etc. Provides on-the-record statements to national and international media. Counsels DOJ officials on the formulation and articulation of an overall approach to communication issues. Confers and negotiates with managers and authors regarding product inadequacies. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for the position of Public Affairs Specialist, at GS-1035-13, you must meet the basic qualification requirements listed below. For GS-13 Specialized Experience: For the GS-13, you must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Drafting press releases and/or briefing documents to ensure appropriate format and factual accuracy; 2) Responding to media inquiries; AND 3) Developing communication plans to control public perception. You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by the 06/25/2026 of this announcement. Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume. After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 06/25/2026 to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application. Education Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted. Additional Information Additional selections may be made from this announcement. Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Probationary or Trial Period (as applicable): As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year 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: 1) your performance and conduct; 2) the needs and interests of the agency; 3) whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and 4) 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. EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline. DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy Selective Service: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov. Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement. Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act.