Public Affairs Specialist

This position is located in the Public Information Office (PIO), Office of the Chief of Police, United States Capitol Police. The PIO coordinates all media coverage of the Department; disseminates information to the media and the public through the uscp.gov site, press releases, correspondence, and other materials; and coordinates communications between USCP and the media in response to events that attract media attention. The PIO also serves as the Editor for the Department's employee magazine and is responsible for other internal communications initiatives throughout the Department.

Serves as a Public Affairs Specialist and maintains strict confidentiality of all privileged and otherwise restricted data, information, communications, and correspondence. Coordinates with appropriate staff members to ensure that communications and relations with the media and other stakeholders are synchronized and consistent in meeting the needs of the organization. Responds orally and/or in writing to information requests from the news media, Congressional offices, and specialized and/or general members of the public and ensures that USCP Departmental programs, priorities, and commitments are accurately articulated and/or relayed. Collaborates with the Communications Director to plan, develop, update, and execute a strategic communications campaign.

Provides high-level support to the Communications Director to ensure the planning and execution of a comprehensive, effective communications program necessary to execute the timely, accurate, and legally authorized dissemination of Department and law enforcement sensitive information to the public, national and international media, USCP representatives, Congressional staff, industry groups, community groups, and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agency staff.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen.

Successful completion of a Background Investigation is required.

Must complete a one year probationary period

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below.

For the CP-10 level you must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the CP-9/GS-11 level which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as experience which includes 1) exercising sound judgment in determining the level of detail in response to questions and inquiries and the intended recipients; 2) organizing news conferences, as needed, and creating talking points for high visibility and highly sensitive/complex issues; 3) communicating information and articulates policies, priorities and commitments in a clear, concise manner; and 4) formulating plans and policy initiatives.

All eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

(Information on Qualification & Education are located at the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-dataoversight/classification-qualifications)

Education

There is no education substitution for experience in this series and/or grade.

Additional information

Additional Conditions of Employment with USCP: Note: As per the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) and the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019, criminal history information will only be collected following a qualifications review and a tentative offer of employment has been made. A criminal history does not automatically exclude an applicant from employment with the USCP. Criminal History Check - Must successfully pass a comprehensive criminal history check of the past 10 years if offered employment. A criminal history check will be performed on applicants who accept an offer of employment.

Credit Check - Must successfully pass a credit check. Applicants must not be in default or delinquent on any Federal guaranteed student loans. Applicants must demonstrate a competent financial history. Financial delinquency including collection accounts, liens, repossessions, or garnishments may be a basis for disqualification. Selective Service Registration - Male applicants must provide verification of registration with the Selective Service System or must verify exemption from the Selective Service System registration because of age or military status. Female applicants are exempt from Selective Service System registration. https://www.sss.gov/Registration/check-a-Registration/Verification-Form Fingerprint Check - Applicants' fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a check of the criminal history record. Background Investigation - Must successfully complete all components of the USCP full field background investigation. There are few automatic grounds for rejection in the USCP background investigation process. Issues of misconduct, such as illegal drug use, arrests, or convictions may not be automatically disqualifying. However, deliberate misstatements, omissions, or intentionally withholding required information at any phase of the hiring process will result in a candidate's disqualification regardless of the nature or reason for the misstatement or omission. The primary reason candidates fail a background investigation is due to deliberately withholding or omitting material facts. Providing false and/or misleading information may be grounds for removal from the application and selection process.

• Benefits
• Review our benefits

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Evaluation Factors Please address all Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) within the narrative responses, so that your experience can be evaluated properly.

We will review your resume, assessment questionnaire and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum requirements for this job. If you meet the minimum requirements for this job, we will evaluate your application materials, to assess the quality, depth, and complexity of your qualifications, accomplishments, experience, and education as they relate to the requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. Failure to successfully pass a full field background investigation and all segments of the pre-employment evaluation process will result in disqualification from further consideration under this Vacancy Announcement.