Consumer Education Specialist

Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current title 5, status employees of the Federal Trade Commission

The Consumer Education Specialist in DCBE helps implement education and outreach programs for national and regional campaigns on consumer protection topics, researching and writing plain-language, persuasive education materials designed to reach specific audiences; researching effective methods to reach intended audiences; and collecting and analyzing information and statistics from a variety of sources to evaluate campaign results. Duties include:

• Develops, plans, and analyzes major mission-critical education programs related to consumer protection issues, including fraud, privacy, advertising, credit, technology and mobile issues. Creates new consumer education methods and strategies - including identifying new audiences, new ways to reach existing audiences, new styles of writing and outreach to reach those audiences, and education campaigns on new topics - and develops tactical methods for implementation. Written materials include articles, blog posts, webinars, video scripts, consumer disclosures, consumer letters, talking points, backgrounders, newsletter articles, and statements for Bureau Director and other senior staff. Ensures written materials adhere to Division standards and are developed according to established procures. Continuously re-evaluates DCBE's consumer education products and outreach to more effectively promote the agency's efforts.

• Presents ideas for new articles and blogs, recommending innovative and fresh approaches to convey consumer-friendly messages. Works closely with senior attorneys within all litigating Divisions, as well as the Division of Consumer Response and Operations, the Bureau and the Chairman's office to develop new content regarding consumer privacy, fraud, advertising, credit, technology, mobile and other issues. The work is often complex, involving extremely technical content and high profile investigations, from which the incumbent must translate the material into a plain language style that is accurate and readable for the FTC's many targeted audiences. During review process, negotiates with Divisions, the Bureau and Chairman's office to ensure that the language is accurate while still preserving a plain language, actionable approach that is the hallmark of DCBE writing. Manages high-level comments, resolving differences, and displaying strong management, negotiation and persuasive skills.

• Plans, manages, and evaluates major national and regional campaigns for consumer and business education campaigns. Sets deadlines and goals and ensures they are met. Coordinates projects independently and creatively and resourcefully resolves conflicting priorities. Uses project management skills to lead teams of specialists and contractors to plan develop, execute, and evaluate national campaigns for BCP's programs, activities, and services. Develops creative strategies and coordinates work. Establishes partnerships with federal, state and local agencies, as well as non-profits and other groups, to extend the reach of the agency.
• Manages web content, blogs and websites, including www.consumer.ftc.gov. Independently makes decisions on when to develop new content or revise existing content. Considered an expert in writing for the web and in writing plain language content: makes recommendations to managers, consistently advises colleagues and provides coaching and feedback on targeting plain language content to specialized audiences. Establishes best practices for BCP, which are used in developing FTC websites.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
• This position is subject to a background investigation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
• You may serve a one-year probationary period under this appointment.
• You must meet time in grade requirement by the closing date of the vacancy.
• You must submit a copy of your performance appraisal with your application.
• You must be a current title 5, status employee of the Federal Trade Commission.
• This position is in the bargaining unit. This position is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Local 2211.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Consumer Education Specialist position at the GS-13 level, you must meet the following requirements:

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: working in teams to design, implement and evaluate high-impact communications campaigns; contributing to the development of a variety of consumer protection informational and educational materials and products, developing partnerships with consumer protection officials at the federal, state and/or local levels; managing inventory, fulfillment, and customer service to distribute consumer protection education materials and synthesizing information to identify trends; developing partnerships with national, state and local organizations; and working in teams to develop national consumer protection education campaign plans, including writing blog posts and publications about consumer protection topics and overseeing the creation of consumer education videos.




Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, your résumé and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are found qualified, your résumé and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Performance Appraisals: In the evaluation process, due weight will be given to job related experience, education, training, incentive awards and performance appraisals. Applicants must have a performance rating of at least the equivalent of fully successful to be eligible for promotion or placement. Applicants may provide a copy of a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months. If the applicant is unable to provide a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months, the applicant may provide a written explanation as to why.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Knowledge of rules, statutes and programs administered by an organization in order to effectively develop, implement, and evaluate national outreach campaigns for programs and initiatives.

Ability to develop, implement and manage a consumer education program.

Skill in developing and executing a total communications plan that identifies important agency issues, targets relevant audience groups, anticipates possible adverse reactions, selects appropriate communication channels and messages, and oversees the production, distribution and evaluation of multi-media campaigns.

Skill in written communication.

Skill in Oral Communication.

Ability to assess the effectiveness of consumer education programs and make recommendations for improvement.

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. Other supporting documents:
- Most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service) - REQUIRED
- Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable - REQUIRED
- Cover Letter, optional
- College transcript(s), if qualifying based on education
- Career Transition Assistance Program/ Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)

FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must submit SF-50(s) that verify your highest competitive grade, full performance level, and eligibility as a federal applicant. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility. For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing. We recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50. Pay adjustment raise SF-50s for the current year will not support the 52 weeks' time-in-grade requirements. https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/service/SF-50/

Next steps