Public Affairs Specialist

Overview
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/.

Responsibilities

Plan, initiate, and implement 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.

Serve 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.

Develop and execute proactive and reactive communications strategies, including crisis communications planning, ensuring accurate, timely, and consistent information reaches the public across all channels.

Handle 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.

Establish and maintain 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.

Produce 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.

Manage 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.

Organize and coordinate media interviews, press conferences, and other public-facing events involving senior leadership and staff; oversee logistics and preparation for all media engagements.

Provide 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.

Develop 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.

Coordinate with public affairs officers at other United States Attorney's Offices on shared cases and initiatives, maintaining close working relationships with public affairs staff at Department of Justice headquarters.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.

Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication including fingerprint, credit, tax checks, and drug testing.

You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.

If selected, you may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.

Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

Qualifications
GS-12: At the GS-12 level, you must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level. Specialized experience includes 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 have one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 level. Specialized experience includes 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.

Benefits
The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, telework, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized.

Additional Information
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born 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. See http://www.sss.gov/.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

EEO Statement: 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, or other non-merit factors. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.

Political Appointees (Current or Former)
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose could result in disciplinary action, including removal from Federal Service.

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