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Writer-Editor Recruitment

Vacancies

Currently there are no open vacancies.

Responsibilities

The incumbent serves as a Policy and Communications Specialist and works on a broad range of complex matters which substantially impact the USTP internal communications, policy coordination, and information management programs and services. This includes but is not limited to the following:

  • Serves as a principal advisor to leadership on all communications relating to the USTP’s mission, objectives, positions, policies, and accomplishments.
  • Develops speeches, documents, and similar materials.
  • Prepares responses to all press inquiries and related matters.
  • Manages the development of annual, statutorily-mandated public and Congressional reports.
  • Reviews written material for the organization for editorial quality, consistency, and compliance with established style, format, and content.
  • Provides technical expertise in writing and communicating complex financial issues related to the bankruptcy code.
  • Coordinates with subject matter experts to prepare and publish written materials that explain and/or promote USTP policies or further USTP outreach and educational efforts.
  • Manages content on the USTP’s intranet and Internet sites.

Qualifications

Selective Placement Factor: Applicant must be eligible for an Excepted Service appointment under Schedule B, 213.3210 (e). This appointment authority requires that the selectee possess knowledge of the bankruptcy process. Important: Application packages that lack this requirement will be automatically disqualified.

-and-

  • Bachelor’s degree with at least five (5) years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desirable Qualifications:

  • Proven track record of senior-level editorial work with both print and online communications, including reports, publications, press releases, leadership communications, and speeches;
  • Demonstrated capacity to work confidently with senior-level managers;
  • Ability to disseminate information effectively and strategically, and strong capacity to think and act strategically;
  • Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills, including proficiency in writing and editing complex subject material for purposeful structure, clarity of ideas, and logical, persuasive presentation;
  • Demonstrated ability and the necessary organizational skills to take the initiative, personal ownership, and accountability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and achieve agreed-upon results;
  • Experience analyzing facts and data to support sound, logical decisions.

Specialized Experience Requirement: To qualify at the GS-14 you must possess one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.

You must be a U.S. Citizen to qualify for this position. A background investigation and drug test will be conducted.

Salary

Position is on the GS pay scale, full-time and permanent. Possible current annual salary range is: GS-14 ($132,368 - $172,075). Years and type of experience will determine the appropriate salary.

To review our comprehensive list of benefits, please click here.

USTP offers a flexible telework policy, including two routine telework days per week.

Application Process

This vacancy announcement is open to ALL U.S. CITIZENS.

To apply, interested candidates must submit one PDF document:

  • A cover letter that highlights the applicant’s interest in the position and addresses in detail how all qualifications are met;
  • A current resume that details months and years of education and employment;
  • A short writing sample, or part of a more extended writing sample (not to exceed ten (10) pages), which should be exclusively or primarily the applicant’s work and should demonstrate the applicant’s ability regarding analysis and written communication;
  • DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Member 4 copy) (if applicable);
  • If you are a current or former Federal employee, most recent (non-award) SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action;
  • CTAP/ICTAP documentation (if applicable); and,
  • Schedule (A) documentation (if applicable).

Email the document to: ustp.employment@usdoj.gov with the subject line Policy & Communications Specialist.

Conditions of Employment

  • A two-year probationary period may be required.
  • Must successfully complete a background investigation. Periodic reinvestigation is required no later than five years after selection and at least every succeeding five years.
  • Public Trust - Background Investigation will be required.
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
  • Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
  • Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
  • Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.

 

 

Department Policies

Diversity: As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status - or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. For more information, please review our full https://www.justice.gov/jmd/page/file/1394116/download.

Reasonable Accommodation: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/disability-points-contact.

Suitability and Citizenship: It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circumstances and handled on a case-by-case basis.

Veterans: Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

Updated October 6, 2023