Duties

The Writer/Editor (Speechwriter):

• Supports Senior FTA leaders on public affairs activities.
• Develops and implements internal and external strategic communications, talking points, speeches and event coordination as well as briefing memos.
• Drafts remarks and speeches for senior members of the Office of the Administrator and FTA.
• Drafts and distributes social media plans, Q&A and talking points, and briefing memos.
• Develops and posts social media content.

The detailee will support FTA's public affairs/speechwriter/social media team, which is responsible for FTA's external outreach and internal employee engagement activities promoting FTA's programs and initiatives. Members of the public affairs team collaborate on strategies to communicate about FTA programs and policies to the public, the transit industry, and other stakeholders. In short, team members serve as FTA's story tellers.

The office implements communications and public affairs strategies and programs to enhance understanding of FTA's programs to the transit industry, grant recipients and the community at large. FTA's public affairs team is a highly collaborative group that prides itself on delivering accurate, timely information.

The ideal candidate will have experience working for or with a federal agency, member of Congress, senior industry executive and/or a nonprofit organization in the area of public affairs, media relations, writing and posting social media.

The candidate upon request, can provide writing samples (within the last three years), such samples may include social media campaigns, press releases, short briefing memos as well as published articles.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must meet specialized experience to qualify.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• TELEWORK: In response the COVID-19 pandemic, the employee in this position will remain in maximum telework status until the Department of Transportation returns employees to the workplace once public health conditions allow for a safe return. Once maximum telework ends, this position is eligible for telework at a minimum of 2 days per week. As approved by management, this position may be eligible for additional telework, up to 3-4 days per week.
• TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the experience requirements.

To qualify for this Detail opportunity, you must have experience in:

• news writing, speechwriting, and editing;
• presenting creative ideas to generate media and public interest on organizational activities and projects; and
• converting complex materials into easy to understand communications to inform the general public.

All interested candidates should submit a resume describing their background and experience. Candidates may also submit additional supporting documentation.

Education

Not required for this position.

Additional information

THIS IS A DETAIL POSITION, NOT TO EXCEED 1 YEAR.

Notes: This detail is considered a detail to "unclassified duties" which means that that grade level, title and occupation series have not been assigned by a Classification Specialist. The candidate does not have to meet time-in-grade or OPM qualification requirements regarding one year of specialized experience. However, applications will still be screened for assurance that all required documents are submitted and that candidates' experience, skills, and background will allow for successful performance of the required duties.

An employee who is on detail is considered for pay and FTE purposes to be permanently occupying his or her regular position. Therefore, there is no change to the employee's grade or salary while serving on the detail.

This detail is non-reimbursable. Salary, benefits, contributions to the TSP, allotments, and other benefit arrangements will remain unchanged, and will be provided by the employee's home office unless otherwise specified.

This is a Bargaining unit position represented by American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Local 3313.

COVID VACCINATION: As required by Executive Order 14043 , Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject only to exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before appointment or onboarding with the agency. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required exception from this requirement.