Public Affairs Specialist

This assignment is a 6-month non-reimbursable assignment.

This assignment is with the DHS HQ Office of the Secretary/Homeland Security Investigations, Cyber Crimes Center. This position will support the forthcoming DHS Know2Protect campaign to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA). The position is based in Fairfax, VA for in-person meetings but may be conducted remotely. Remote candidates should expect to be available during Eastern time business hours.

The candidate will serve full-time in this Joint Duty Assignment.

Clarification from the Agency

This detail opportunity is for current competitive and excepted service employees only. If you are not a current federal civilian employee, you will not be eligible for this position. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Joint Duty Assignments do not apply to members of the Military service or contractors.

Duties

DHS is launching a national public awareness campaign to educate the public and policymakers about the growing threats of online CSEA, how to keep children safe online, how to report suspected online CSEA and locate victim resources. As a Public Affairs Specialist, the incumbent will work with the Campaign Director and contract team to support the execution of the Know2Protect campaign.

Major Duties

This position will report directly to the Know2Protect Campaign Director and will be responsible for helping to execute the campaign's communications strategies, maintain relationships with campaign partners, support HSI's Project iGuardian, and assist with the national launch of the campaign.

The Incumbent Will

Assist the Campaign Director by overseeing communications with internal and external stakeholders, including DHS OPA, OPE, and OLA.
Develop and synthesize talking points, briefing memos, collateral/marketing material, briefing decks, website content, and other digital communications.
Apply a substantial knowledge of communications and plain language principals to create clear, accurate and accessible messages for audiences with diverse interests and backgrounds.
Develop and execute stakeholder engagement strategies; manage existing partnerships with DHS OPE, maintain open lines of communication with our partners. Liaise with OLA to provide information and briefings to Congressional members or staff on campaign's activities.
Coordinate with department colleagues to create and execute interagency stakeholder engagement strategies using social media platforms, newsletters and other media.
Draft and review social media materials to communicate campaign and iGuardian messages on multiple platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and other social media platforms. Create and implement multi-platform social media communication plans highlighting the campaign and DHS HSI's work combatting online CSEA.
Work with contractor creative team to create audio-visual materials in support of social media communications.
Demonstrates strong writing, editing and oral communications skills, and an understanding of online CSEA mission set.
Represent the campaign on interagency meetings and working groups.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Must be a current permanent Federal employee
Must have supervisory approval to apply to the Joint Duty Assignment. DHS 250-2 Application Form under "required documents" section.
Must NOT have any pending/outstanding disciplinary actions
Must have achieved a minimum of "meet expectations/proficiency" on latest performance appraisal/evaluation
Must be currently at the grade level of the detail. *No Temporary Promotion Opportunity*
The program does not apply to members of the Military service or contractors.

Qualifications

Qualifications required:

Minimum of five years of experience in communications, marketing, engagement, and/or public outreach with the federal government.
Experience with national or global campaign and communications strategies and execution.
Experience managing multiple projects and competing deadlines.
Experience partnering across the interagency.
Experience briefing external and internal stakeholders, including senior executives and political appointees, utilizing verbal presentations and/or written materials.
Editing, drafting, and disseminating diverse materials for a range of audiences.
Manage national correspondence operations.
Mastery of a broad range of information sources and analytical methods to research and develop information on the programs and policies.
Work with minimal supervision, using individual discretion and judgment.
Highly organized and demonstrated ability to manage several projects simultaneously. working in a dynamic, evolving environment.
Comfort working in a dynamic and fast-moving environment.