Duties

Summary

USCIRF is actively seeking an experienced and creative Communications Specialist to be a key member of the Outreach and Policy team. The Communications Specialist will support USCIRF's activities as they relate primarily to media activities and advocacy.
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Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director of Outreach and Policy, the Communications Specialist's primary responsibilities involve the following:

1. Website / Social Media accounts

• Managing USCIRF's website including updating and maintaining all content;
• Managing and enhancing USCIRF's social media outreach, including Facebook and Twitter;
• Managing website vendors;
• Monitoring USCIRF's media and social media coverage, including receiving, coordinating, and tracking media inquiries; and
• Utilizing website analytics to improve outreach effectiveness.

2. Media relations

• Create and maintain media contact lists;
• Compiling and distributing daily press clips;
• Assisting with writing and promoting stories, op-editorials, press releases, etc. that support USCIRF and the agency's overall mission; and
• Strategically circulating press releases and other documents generated by USCIRF to global, local, regional, and national media contacts.

3. Other

• Identifying and cultivating audiences and constituencies that benefit from and/or support USCIRF's mission;
• Take photos and maintain photograph database;
• Plan and promote special events;
• Pitching calls to media outlets as needed;
• Assisting with development and implementation of communications strategy; and
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - The job may require travel from time-to-time, but not on a regular basis. The travel may be for training or other work-related duties.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Minimum 3 years' progressively responsible experience commensurate with duties outlined above.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen;
• Satisfactory completion of a background investigation;
• Completion of a probationary period;
• Selectee must be able to meet and maintain suitability and security requirements;
• Experience working with the media required;
• Experience drafting press releases, web content, and other communications materials;
• Experience with website maintenance, or the ability to learn the necessary skills quickly;
• Experience working with various publishing programs such as Microsoft Publisher or InDesign;
• Experience working with various contact management systems such as Wordpress or Drupal and email distribution programs such as Cision, Meltwater, Mail Chimp, etc.;
• Ability to implement a social media strategy and experience with media outreach including Facebook and Twitter;
• Ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced setting, defining and meeting deadlines;
• Ability to synthesize information from various sources;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including copy editing;
• Working knowledge of AP Style, MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, web platforms, HTML, email clients, Google Analytics (and/or other metrics tools), and other web-related skills, including digital graphic design creation and video editing software such as iMovie are helpful, but not required; and
• Extreme attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and collegial demeanor.

Education

Candidates must possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree.

Additional information

Benefits

USCIRF offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, ten Federal holidays, retirement, life insurance, and medical benefits. Please visit https://www.opm.gov/ for more information on benefits.

Other Information

Selective Service. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify at the time of appointment that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.

Reasonable Accommodation. USCIRF provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact USCIRF at (202) 523-3240. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Equal Employment Opportunity. The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

This job is excepted from the competitive civil service. Applicants will be evaluated and deemed either eligible or ineligible based on the (1) completeness of the submission of the required materials, (2) relevance and quality of experience and education, and (3) desired qualifications described above.

Pursuant to section 204(c) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, as amended, USCIRF staff members are hired "on the basis of professional and nonpartisan qualifications."

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Secret

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

• cover letter;
• resume;
• three references; and
• writing sample (no more than five pages; preferably a press release).

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.