Federal Flacks: Beyond The Beltway

When most people think of Federal Flacks, the image of bureaucrats in big office buildings in Washington, DC immediately comes to mind.  In reality, there are a good number of government communications jobs located outside the Washington, DC Beltway.

Let’s shine the spotlight on a few recent vacancies:

• GS 12 public affairs specialist with the Veterans Health Administration in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• GS 13 Regional Communications Director for the Small Business Administration in King of Prussia, PA.
• GS 12-13 public affairs specialist with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Alexandria, VA (technically inside the Beltway).

Veterans Health Administration GS-12 Public Affairs Specialist

This position is located at the Veterans Affairs Caribbean Healthcare System – San Juan, PR.  The system serves 150,000 veterans in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  According to the vacancy announcement, “the goal of the position is to increase internal and external awareness of VA programs, services, special events and projects, technologies, personnel, and research accomplishments.”

The public affairs specialist will:

• Establish and maintain proactive contacts with media outlets, legislative offices, veteran service organizations, and health care affiliates. 
• Advise senior level management on development of media campaigns and communication plans and strategies.
• Plan, develop, and produce a variety of materials and publications including news releases, radio and television scripts, briefing packages and slide presentations for Congressional staff and public organizations.
• Represent the facility at public, civic and social events.
• Plan and execute special events.

Not surprisingly, applicants must possess the ability to speak and write fluently and proficiently in both Spanish and English in order to receive consideration for this position.  The position closed on March 6, but you can still review the vacancy announcement.

GS 13 Regional Communications Director: Small Business Administration

This position is located at the Small Business Administration’s regional office in King of Prussia, PA. 

SBA regional offices work to advocate and accelerate economic development, growth and competitiveness withing their geographic area.  This support includes business training, counseling and other services for small business owners. 

The regional communications director:

• Trains regional public information officers.
• Works with Chambers of Commerce, civic organizations, professional and trade associations, major colleges and universities, and state and local government agencies.
• Gives oral presentations to industry and banking organizations.

This position closes March 13.  View the vacancy announcement.  

GS 12-13 Public Affairs Specialist: U.S. Attorney’s Office in Alexandria, VA

Located within sight of the Washington Beltway, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia is one of the highest-profile USAOs.

The Public Affairs Officer is responsible for planning, coordinating, and disseminating public information inside the district and beyond; maintaining internal communications; and undertaking studies of issues of concern to the U.S. Attorney's Office.  Once criminal cases investigated by Federal law enforcement agencies are accepted for prosecution by a U.S. Attorney, the USAO public affairs officer becomes the source of information about the cases.  The information is generally provided through press releases, which are based on publicly-released court records.

In addition to media relations duties, the public affairs officer is responsible for:

• Maintaining the office’s web site.
• Maintaining relations with counterparts in other Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
• Planning news conferences and preparing officials to participate in them.

The position closes March 15. View the vacancy announcement.

PowerPoint, Mail, And Technical Journals; What Federal Writer-Editors Editors Do, Part 2.

The Federal government would grind to a halt without the services of writers and editors.

Think about it.  Who would draft regulations for publication in the Federal Register?  How would state and local governments, businesses, industry and the general public learn about the results of Federal research and activities of the bureaucracy?  And what about the thousands and thousands of letters and emails Federal agencies receive each day?

As noted in a previous post, the Federal government has separate career series for writer-editors and technical writer-editors.  This post examines recent vacancy announcements, describes the duties performed and the skills required.

We reviewed three jobs posted on www.usajobs.com:

• A PowerPoint jockey for the Department of Health and Human Service’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment in Rockville, MD;
• A correspondence manager for the Bureau of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement in Washington, DC; and,
•  A technical writer for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, also in Washington, DC.

 Let's get started.

Communicating Substance Abuse Research Through PowerPoint

PowerPoint has a bad reputation.  Used properly, PowerPoint slides illustrate key concepts and enhances a speaker's comments  HHS’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment is looking for a writer-editor with extensive experience in PowerPoint.

CSAT works with states and community-based groups to improve and expand existing substance abuse treatment services under the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Program.  Its initiatives and programs are based on research findings and the general consensus of experts in the addiction field.

To communicate CSAT’s research findings and program activities, the Center relies heavily on PowerPoint presentations.  CSAT is hiring a writer-editor to analyze research and program activities and develop PowerPoint presentations, speeches and briefings for use in communicating within HHS and the public health care community.  The writer-editor will also edit and approve program reports, project summaries, monographs, and other print products.

Skills needed for the position include:

·         Experience reviewing, analyzing, and abstracting health data from reports, surveys, and other sources;

·         The ability to work with senior management, subject matter experts, representatives of external organizations, and others regarding the nature and content of public presentations; and

·         Experience in using advanced PowerPoint techniques to prepare discussion points, graphs, charts, trend lines, and other presentation materials.

The salary for the GS-13 position ranges from $89,033 to $115,742.

Responding To Congress and the Public

Someone’s got to answer the mail at government agencies.  And when the subject is immigration, you can be sure that there will be a lot of mail.  Correspondence management at Federal agencies is handled by executive secretariats, or “Exec Sec.”  Every letter or communication addressed to the agency or its top leadership – from citizen complaints to Congressional inquires – is logged in and farmed out for response.  Draft responses must be approved by the responding office, and usually the attorneys, before it is sent back to the front office for final review and signature.

ICE is hiring a writer-editor in its Executive Secretariat, who “will be responsible for providing professional, timely, and accurate responses to public, governmental, and congressional correspondence.”  

The writer-editor will conduct research and interviews within ICE to develop responses and coordinate approvals with all relevant offices.  This position is being advertised at three grades, GS-9, GS-11 and GS-12, depending on the level of responsibility given and supervision provided.  See my previous posting for details on how pay scales for writer-editors are developed.

A GS-9 writer-editor will be responsible for drafting responses for review by managers before the documents are circulated for clearance.  The salary range for a GS-9 is $51,630 to $67,114.

If hired as a GS-11, the writer-editor would independently research and prepare official responses to congressional and other official inquiries for signature by ICE leadership.  He/she would also coordinate and developing information between various resources in order to respond to congressional questions for the record, or detailed information regarding organizational responsibilities, practices, and procedures.  Salary range for a GS-11 is $62,467 to $81,204.

A GS-12 writer-editor in ICE’s Exec Sec is the office’s editorial guru.  In addition his/her other duties, a GS-12 would proofread outgoing correspondence, reviewing for spelling, grammar and style; and advise other offices on developing written products such as guidelines, regulations and policies.  Salary range for a GS 12 is $74,872 to $97,333.

Writing And Editing Technical Journals

Federal agencies issue reams of reports and journals.  The Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, for example, collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates essential statistical data to the American public, the U.S. Congress, other Federal agencies, state and local governments, business and labor.

 The BLS publishes numerous products, including the Monthly Labor Review, a monthly journal providing the latest analysis, and research on employment, inflation, wages, compensation, productivity, staffing patterns in various occupational and industrial settings. 

The BLS is hiring a technical editor to work in the BLS’s publications office, editing articles, reports, booklets, periodicals, chart books, and brochures for print or electronic publication. He/she will also evaluate submissions to the Monthly Labor Review.  Other duties will include reviewing manuscripts, creating and editing charts and tables, and making the written product more reader-friendly.

Interpersonal skills are among the desired attributes of the writer editor.  The BLS is looking for an editor used to collaborating with others, being able to persuade and negotiate, and communicate orally through briefings, presentations and speeches.

The position is being advertised as a GS-9.

 A future post will discuss the value placed by Federal agencies on oral communications and other interpersonal skills.

Preparing for a Federal Job Search

This is the first in a series of posts about obtaining a job with the Federal government. Please feel free to post your comments or questions.

  

Introduction

Job hunting can be an arduous task, especially if you are trying to make a career change. Applying for Federal jobs can be time-consuming.  In this and future posts, I'll try to break down the Federal search process into bite-size chunks.

Because my background is in journalism and public relations, these posts will use examples from those job sectors.  However, much of the information is relevant to non-writing/public affairs jobs in the government.

Steps in the Federal Job Search

So you want a job for a Federal agency.  Despite the talk of budget cuts and downsizing, there are Federal jobs to be had.  Some more good news: the Federal job application process is simpler than it was just a year ago.  However, applicants still have to provide detailed information about their experience and relevant skill.  Before you start your search, take the following steps:

1.      Data collection;

2.      Compiling a list of your skills; and,

3.      Developing a list of your accomplishments at each job you have held.

Data Collection

Applying for a Federal job requires supplying a lot of information on each job you have held. You may have to go searching through old files (both electronic and hard copy), to find old pay stubs, annual reviews, job descriptions, congratulatory notes, or “attaboys,” from a former boss or client, etc.  Once compiled, keep this information easily accessible, since you may need it for a background investigation for a security clearance once you obtain a Federal job.  This is also a good time to begin updating contact information for your former supervisors and potential references.

Here’s what you need for each job you’ve had, going back at least 10 years:

•  Job title
•  Duties;
•    Accomplishments; 
•  Employer’s name and phone number (preferably your supervisor, but someone who can verify employment will do);
• Start and ending dates (month and year); and 
•  Salary.

List multiple jobs for individual employers separately.  You will also need a copy your last annual performance review. Be sure to scan it.

If you have graduated from college in the past decade, you should obtain an electronic copy of your transcript.  Obtain documentation for each job-related class or training you have attended.

While you are rooting through your files, also locate any emails or letters from manager, clients, readers, praising your work.  This helps quantify your work. You will use this as you write up your accomplishments.

Duties and Skills

Starting with your current job, list the duties you perform on a regular basis, especially all the activities that are not in your job description.

 Next, write down the skills needed to perform each duty or task.

 Let’s take the example of a regional reporter covering a state congressional delegation for a newspaper.  In order to successfully cover the delegation, you had to learn the Federal budget process, learn how Congress works, and follow issues affecting your region or the committees your delegation serve on.  On a daily basis, you interact with Members and staff of Congress, conduct independent research and analysis and write news articles using Associated Press style. You may also use spreadsheets and databases and tweet on a regular basis.

How does this translate into a resume?   Increasingly, Federal job listings list the key duties the person hired for the position will perform.  Here’s an example from a recent announcement for writer/editor at the Department of Energy:

“If selected for this position, you will:

1.      Research, write, and edit a variety of highly complex scientific materials including articles, speeches, news releases, brochures, scripts, etc.

2.      Review written material for editorial consistency, quality, and compliance with federal civilian style and format requirements.”

Now, do this for each job you’ve held, indicating where you have received a promotion, taken on a new assignment or received new responsibilities.

 Now it’s time for a second go around.

What computer skills do you have?  List them out, including specific software release and level of expertise.  Don’t say Microsoft Office; say Microsoft Office 2007, including specific programs and your level of proficiency with each.

Do you blog? What platform do you use?  What topics do you blog on? How many readers do you have? 

Don’t forget your volunteer work either.

In my next post, I’ll discuss how to write accomplishments.