Communications Specialist
Location: This position is located in the immediate office of the U.S. Interagency Council On Homelessness (USICH) in Washington, DC.
Start Date/Duration: Immediate; Open until filled.
Salary: USICH positions are not graded nor on the General Schedule. This position, however, is equivalent to a 1035, Grade 11/12. This position is full-time and includes federal government benefits.
Description of Responsibilities:
Serves as a public affairs specialist responsible for planning and implementing communications and media information programs regarding the work of the USICH and its initiatives as well as serves as the primary webmaster for the organization.
- Develop and manage an agency-wide, comprehensive communications plan with associated goals and strategies.
- Provides assistance and consultation to senior officials with program areas and maintain liaison with other interagency initiatives of the Council for the purpose of developing long-term strategic plans for public communications and media outreach. Analyzes and evaluates communication strategies to advise on the information that should be made public.
- Writes, edits, and contributes content to a variety of communications, including social media, speeches, and reports to Congress.
- Develops and manages the Council website, including but not limited to the technology and content, for it to serve as a trusted and comprehensive portal to federal, state, local and other stakeholders in efforts to achieve the mission, goals and strategies of the USICH. Serves as the primary liaison with web design developers and vendors to ensure site functionality and usability, and gives quarterly website analytics reports to USICH management.
- Develop and manage other social media to support the work of the Council and connect with other organizations in the issue area using these platforms.
- Publish a regular electronic newsletter to communicate resources, best practices, innovations, and other timely information to further the mission of the Council.
- Establishes and maintains effective liaison with news media representatives and serves as a central point for receipt of press inquiries. Develops and provides requested background information. Must have working knowledge of major print and electronic media markets. Arranges and participates in telephone and personal media interviews between senior program officials and news media representatives.
- Responds to information requests from the news media and specialized general constituencies on the USICH’s initiatives in written and oral form.
- Develops and disseminates information concerning the activities of the USICH through newspapers, radios, television or other information media. Writes news releases for press kits and media outreach. Uses skills to successfully showcase USICH initiatives to major news organizations and individual reporters to gain regional or national attention.
- Coordinates with the other staff to assure effective communications, including provide editing assistance, as requested.
Factor Level Descriptions & Qualifications:
- Knowledge of the broad objectives of a national public affairs program. Skill in working with the media and working knowledge of the newspapers, wire service, radio and television procedures is required. Possesses excellent writing and editing skills, and skill in analyzing controversial and/or complex information and developing written material designed to reach a variety of constituencies.
- Skill in managing a large website via an in-house content management system, including an understanding of website functionality best practices. Adept at navigating web analytics tools, whose results drive continuous improvement in website capability.
- Assignments typically involve complex USICH initiatives and require broad knowledge of housing and urban development problems and domestic policy issues. Ensures that high visibility and controversial issues are presented in an accurate and easily understood manner.
- The incumbent receives assignments through program discussions, conferences or written directives. He/She is expected to outline the objectives of the assignment, resources needed, and plans to assume proper coordination with other organizations. The incumbent is expected to use his/her initiative in proposing and developing projects. The incumbent’s work is reviewed frequently for progress, quality and results achieved. He/She is expected to use professional judgment in carrying out assigned duties and responsibilities.
- Guidelines include policy statements and precedents that do not specifically apply to ongoing work situations. The employee modifies the approach as necessary in communicating the USICH’s information and advises program managers of public reaction to sensitive issues.
- The work involves the development of the communication plan for conveying USICH information to the public through various media. This includes identifying the audience and securing the assistances of media representatives.
College degree required or commesurate with experience.
How to Apply:
Please email a cover letter which includes your availability, your resume and salary history to Darren Franklin, Director of Finance and Administration, at jobs@usich.gov.
USICH is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
You must be a U.S. citizen to be considered for this position.
This position requires a background check.
Direct Deposit is mandatory.
Males born after 12/31/59 - Selective Service Registration required.
This is a federal government, excepted service (Schedule A) position, open to all candidates with or without prior federal government experience.
Full-time position with federal government benefits.
