Duties

Summary

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy (OASP) is the primary source of analytical and economic staff support to the Secretary. OASP provides support, analysis, and advice to the Secretary and other officials on policy, programmatic, economic and regulatory issues, and other cross-cutting initiatives. This position is located in Washington, DC, and reports to the director, Office of Compliance Initiative (OCI).

This position is outside the bargaining unit.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The position serves as a Visual Information Specialist. The duties of this position often require working knowledge of human-centered design, customer/user experience, and usability testing. The work concerns providing visual information support to OCI, OASP and other DOL agencies in the concept, design and selection of compliance assistance and outreach materials (including publications, audio-visuals, computer graphics, posters, presentations, forms, newsletters, etc.) for external and internal use and distribution.

As OCI's point of contact for the development of graphics and visual content for OCI materials, the incumbent makes creative and messaging decisions that provide visual information support for OCI's outreach, education, and partnership efforts, key strategies to achieve OCI's mission. In addition, the incumbent:

• Serves as an expert in the areas of graphic design and production, visual information, and web/electronic media design and is responsible for developing and coordinating graphic design and visual and electronic media products,. Implements a comprehensive visual information program in support of DOL's regulatory, enforcement and compliance programs.
• As a specialist in the field of visual information, the incumbent understands the concepts and requirements of communicating through the appropriate visual media, the objectives to be achieved, actively works with customers to define requirements, and exercises creativity balanced against time, production, technology, and budget constraints to devise viable alternative production options.
• Uses the appropriate images, typography, layout, colors, and other visual elements suitable for the product. Reviews and edits final products for format, composition, layout, typography, quality assurance, and conformance with visual standards. Assists the director and web content manager in the addition of graphics for inclusion on the agencies' web sites. Serves as OCI's liaison for various Departmental agencies related to graphics, such as the Office of Public Affairs.
• Designs, executes and ensures the development and visual communication design of print, interactive, web, exhibit, signage, and other dimensional products. Engages with external stakeholders to determine the need for materials, to incorporate feedback into the materials, and to produce the desired product(s).

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13 - This position is at the full performance level.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
• Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.

Applicants must meet time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment and qualifications requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the vacancy to be eligible for consideration for selection.

Federal Employees Please Note: Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met and reflects your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. competitive/excepted). In some cases you may need to submit more than one SF-50.

Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.

Qualifications

To qualify at the GS-13 grade level: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-12, in the Federal Service.

Experience in the actual type of work for which application is made. Unpaid experience is creditable, provided the work done was of a quality level and demonstrated the ability required for the position. This includes planning the preparation and use of photographs, illustrations, drawings, and other art work, charts, diagrams, dioramas, maps, slides, overlays, and other kinds of visual material for use in communicating information through visual means.

Examples of specialized experience include:

• Planning, designing, managing and producing visual information materials.
• Utilizing a wide variety of highly specialized technical equipment including graphics software packages, hardware, computer graphics work station, and desktop publishing system.
• Managing visual information and other communication-oriented projects, including exercising creative control and guiding staff and contractors thorough the life of the projects.
• Leveraging existing technologies and researching emerging ones to manage and execute solutions needed to carry out an organizations mission.

Education

There is no substitution for education at the GS-13 level.

Additional information

DOL seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees' differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve. DOL fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility and fairness so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.

Federal Employees Please Note: Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met and reflects your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. competitive/excepted). In some cases you may need to submit more than one SF-50.

Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION , ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION , FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Click here for Evaluation details. For Displaced Employees ONLY: if you meet the eligibility requirements for special priority selection under ICTAP / CTAP , you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles will be considered "well-qualified" if they attain at least a rating score of 85 in a numerical rating scheme. Be sure to review DOL Account Eligibility Questions #24 and 27 to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP/CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation.

Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:

Technical/ Design Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

Communications and Media - Knowledge of the production, communication and dissemination of information and ideas to inform and entertain via written, oral and visual media.

Planning and Organizing - Identifies a need; gathers, organizes, and maintains information; determines its importance and accuracy, and communicates it by a variety of methods. Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements.

Interpersonal Skills- Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.

The information you provide may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references and through other means (ex. interview). Your evaluation may also include a review by an HR Specialist or panel and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc). The examining Human Resources Office (HRO) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your vacancy question responses. If not, the HRO may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Warning: If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission. Also, do not upload password protected documents.

The following documents are required from all applicants (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY):

ARE YOU A CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEE? If applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service, please provide a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" which shows your appointment eligibility for the position for which you are applying. Your SF-50 must identify the highest grade you held on a permanent basis, Pay Plan/Pay Schedule, Series, and Grade/Pay Band, and career status. Multiple SF-50 may be submitted to demonstrate your highest previous rate and eligibility.

*WARNING: An award SF-50 (ex. cash or time off award) may not indicate grade, step and competitive status. For current DOL employees, an award SF-50 DOES NOT indicate grade and step.

- Most recent performance appraisal/evaluation signed and dated within 18 months is requested by the agency, but will not disqualify candidates if not submitted. If not submitted during the application process, one may/will be requested at the time of the interview if the opportunity is extended. Applies to current and former Federal employees.

- Land Management Eligibles: a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) proving your eligibility for appointment under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act. This service must have been performed in the competitive service, under a time limited appointment in a Land Management Agency, as defined by P.L. 114-328. For more information, click here .

- Portfolio of visual information content is requested by the agency, but will not disqualify candidates if not submitted. If not submitted during the application process, one may/will be requested at the time of the interview if the opportunity is extended. Applies to current and former Federal employees. This portfolio should include at least three examples of visual information content produced by the applicant in the past three years.

The following documents are required if applicable:

- Displaced Employee Placement Documents - Only required if requesting priority consideration under ICTAP / CTAP Eligibility.

- DD-214 - verifying military service, eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) and showing character of discharge (ex. Member Copy 4 and 2 are acceptable vs. Copy 1 which is not acceptable to adjudicate veteran's preference)

- Special/Non-Competitive Appointing Authority Documents - Applicants who are eligible for consideration, and wish to be considered, under one of the following non-competitive hiring authorities must submit appropriate documentation (click on the links below to see the documentation requirements):

(a) Military Spouses (MISP)

- Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience, but may be submitted

Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship , and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.