Duties
The Office of Communications ensures that the image and information about the Library is accurate and reflects the mission of the organization. It fosters and increases public awareness of the Library, defines and targets audiences for its public affairs programs, and assesses the effectiveness of those programs.
The public affairs specialist has primary responsibility for management of all editorial and production aspects of the weekly Gazette, the Library’s principal platform for communicating with its employees. The Gazette serves as a Library-wide source of authoritative information about Library missions, policies, priorities, programs, collections, events and fiscal and administrative matters. Additional duties include producing and editing material for other Office of Communications platforms, such as the Library’s bimonthly magazine, LCM, and the main Library blog, Timeless. The specialist reports to the chief of publications and the director of communications.
The specialist serves as managing editor of the weekly Gazette. Manages all aspects of the publication; conceives ideas for compelling and relevant stories about the institution’s activities; collaborates with senior-level managers and service unit officials on strategies to explain Library missions, programs, goals and priorities; and initiates long-range plans for editorial content that reflect the Library’s overall objectives and the needs of the Gazette’s audiences.
The specialist ensures that content is appropriate, authoritative, timely and informative. Maintains a network of contributors from across the institution; makes photo and story assignments; and coordinates the work of writers, photographers and designers. Manages production of each issue, developing production schedules, using advanced technologies and processes; oversees layout and design to ensure professional appearance of the publication; and manages timely distribution to Library audiences and appropriate archiving. Serves as an authority on writing, editing, style and Gazette publishing practices for the Library and as a liaison to its workforce.
Independently prepares in-depth writing for multiple communications outlets, primarily the Gazette but also LCM and the Library’s main blog. Researches, reports, analyzes and writes material that authoritatively explains often complex and potentially controversial policies, programs and issues to a diverse audience that includes the public, the Library’s workforce, Congress and others.
Reports and writes creative, feature-length material that represents the Library’s many disciplines, collections, programs and events, such as concerts, exhibits, forums and more.
Collaborates with subject matter experts and senior leadership around the Library to develop authoritative material on Library policies, budgets, programs, events and collections. Conducts a broad range of extensive research to develop detailed written products; identifies Library sources, resources and subject matter experts, working with them to finalize stories and ensure the accuracy of products and materials.
Solicits relevant submissions from contributors and evaluates the suitability of materials for publication in the Gazette and other platforms. Selects for publication those materials that fall within the scope of the publication’s purpose and meet standards for the quality and timeliness of the work. For subject matter that falls within that scope, works with contributors to ensure submissions meet publication requirements.
Recognizes potentially controversial information, complications and discrepancies and resolves conflicts, often performing extensive rewriting, reorganizing and editing to ensure that the final product meets Library standards. Edits submitted materials for grammar and style, manner of presentation, clarity, balance, coverage, completeness, accuracy, interest, emphasis, method and development of facts and overall tone. Selects illustrations, including photographs, computer graphics, maps, charts and cartoons, as well as other design elements.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
Conditions of Employment
Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.
Qualifications
Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.
Knowledge of communication principles, methods and techniques.**
Ability to communicate in writing.**
Ability to interact collaboratively with others to produce written products.**
Knowledge of the principles and techniques of editing.
Ability to utilize computer technology/software applications.
Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
Additional information
The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.
Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade.
The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer.
Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.
Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see:Vetting Process
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.
The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.
The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.
Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement.
The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.
A “Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.
Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection.
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