Public Affairs Specialist Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. 27-IG-13084555-MP-LO Department Department of Energy Headquarters
Salary $143,913.00 to $187,093.00 Grade 14 to 14
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/7/2026 Close Date 10/14/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Public Affairs Specialist

Department of Energy
Department of Energy Headquarters
Office of Inspector General

Summary

The Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Inspector General is currently looking for a Public Affairs Specialist in the Immediate Office of Inspector General. Join our professional team of auditors, criminal investigators, and inspectors who help support DOE's mission through performance and financial audits, inspections of management issues and administrative allegations, and investigations into alleged violations of law.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Current Federal employees with competitive status or other eligibility; Former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; CTAP/ICTAP eligibles; Veterans with VOW, VEOA, 30% disability; Military Spouses; Individuals with Disabilities Schedule A; Peace Corps, Vista (AmeriCorps) eligibles; and those eligible under an OPM interchange agreement or other special appointing authority.

Duties

As a Public Affairs Specialist, you will be responsible for a wide range of complex duties. Major duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Develop comprehensive communication strategies that support organizational priorities, strengthen employee engagement, and enhance awareness of DOE OIG programs and accomplishments.
  • Lead the Office of Inspector General's internal communications program. Develop and implement a comprehensive internal communications strategy that promotes transparency, employee engagement, and alignment with organizational priorities.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the news media, specialized groups, and others interested in the OIG's programs and regional offices.
  • Function as the primary OIG media spokesperson.
  • Provide media coaching to Senior positions within the OIG, such as the IG and Deputy IG, as they rely on the incumbent's judgement and recommendations when issuing press releases, discussing issues with the public, and answering questions before Congress.
  • Develop and maintain a communication plan for timely posting of articles, executive profiles, and other items of interest on OIG's external website.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • May be required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450 or an Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08).
  • You will be required to report to a DOE OIG assigned office. The essential functions of this position require physical presence in your DOE OIG assigned office.
  • This position is a Drug Testing Designated position and is subject to preemployment and random drug testing.
  • Will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • Must obtain and maintain a Q Security Clearance. The position demands the highest degree of public trust and requires the incumbent to possess a DOE Q-Sensitive security clearance.

Qualifications

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (10/14/2026) of this announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 for each federal position listed as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of qualifying experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience.

For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

EXPERIENCE: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience that demonstrates ALL of the following.:

  1. Developing, implementing, or supporting internal and external communication plans, initiatives, or campaigns designed to inform employees, engage stakeholders, enhance public understanding, or advance organizational priorities.
  2. Developing and coordinating communications and outreach for external audiences, such as partner organizations, industry groups, community organizations, media, customers, or other stakeholders, and providing recommendations on effective communication approaches.
  3. Researching, drafting, editing, reviewing, or coordinating communication materials for a variety of audiences, such as news releases, talking points, speeches, articles, fact sheets, FAQs, presentations, newsletters, stakeholder communications, or similar products
  4. Coordinating communication content across digital and traditional channels, including collaborating with information technology, web, program, or other organizational staff to ensure content is accurate, timely, consistent, accessible, and aligned with applicable communication policies and standards.

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined above by the closing date of the announcement. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: General Schedule Qualification Standards

Volunteer Experience: "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

Time-in-Grade: Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service). Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal civilian employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appt.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level(s) of this announcement.

Additional information

  • This announcement may be used to fill additional similar positions across OIG-DOE if identical vacancies occur within 120 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
  • More than one selection may be made from this announcement.
  • For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov. You will be assigned to an OIG office. Limited, situational telework flexibilities may be offered as defined by agency policy. Telework flexibilities are not guaranteed.


Recruitment incentives: May be authorized to newly appointed federal employees. If a recruitment incentive is authorized, the employee must sign an agreement to fulfill a period of service with the agency of not less than 12 months and not more than 4 years, as determined by the gaining office in accordance with agency policy. Authorization of incentives is not guaranteed.

Relocation Incentives: May be authorized, subject to available funding and management approval, to current Federal employees who must relocate to accept a position in a different geographical area. If a relocation incentive is authorized, the employee must sign an agreement to fulfill a period of service with the agency of not less than 12 months and not more than 4 years, as determined by the gaining office in accordance with agency policy. Authorization of incentives is not guaranteed.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: Reasonable Accommodations for USA Hire

  • The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
  • For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov

For Reasonable Accommodation information or assistance:
Email: reasonableaccommodationoig@hq.doe.gov
Phone: (202)586-4393
711 for TTY-Based Telecommunications Relay Service | Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov)

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.

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.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements above. Once the announcement closes, we will conduct a review of your application package to verify your eligibility and qualifications. If you are found qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process.

Merit Promotion & VEOA Procedures: If you are minimally qualified for this job, your responses to the self-assessment questions (Multiple Choice, Yes/ No questions) will be evaluated to determine if you are a best qualified candidate. If you meet the qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified, you will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities must meet minimum qualifications to be referred. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.

Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available.

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

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


Non-competitive Procedures: If you are applying under a non-competitive or special hiring authority, you will still be required to answer the assessment questions. However, you will not be evaluated against the rating and ranking criteria. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you are minimally qualified for this job. Veterans' Preference will be applied when required by the hiring authority (e.g., VRA, Schedule A).

All qualified Non-competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion and VEOA applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP/ICTAP): If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for CTAP/ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet CTAP/ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 85 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.


To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13084555.

Required Documents

  • To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:
  • Your two (2) page RESUMEshowing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date). For more information about what to include in your resume, please view this USAJOBS Resume Tutorial video on YouTube.
  • Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
  • SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" (current/former federal employees): Most recent Promotion, Within-Rate Increase (WRI/WGI), or Appointment/Conversion SF-50 or Notification of Personnel Action showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held. If your current position SF50 does not indicate you have competitive service status or does not reflect the pay plan and grade of the highest position you have held in the competitive service, in addition to your current SF50, you must provide your previous SF-50s that verify competitive status and highest grade held on a permanent basis. To properly verify status eligibility, your SF-50 must show the following: Full position title; appointment type; occupational series; pay plan, grade, and step; tenure code; and service computation date (SCD). If you do not submit an appropriate SF-50, we cannot verify your status eligibility.
  • Most recent performance appraisal: All Applicants regardless of eligibility(ies) selected, MUST submit their most recent (within the past 18 months) performance evaluation or appraisal, which shows a final rating. If an evaluation or rating is not available, you must provide a statement indicating the reason. If you do not submit an appropriate appraisal or statement, you WILL NOT receive consideration for this position.
  • Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement. Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
Submit one or more of the following to support your eligibility(s) to apply to this job announcement:
  • Veterans: DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
  • Individuals with Disabilities: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing your eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u). For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center.
  • Certain Military Spouses: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders authorizing you to accompany the Military member to the new duty permanent station; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (VA Letter); and/or verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage). For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center.
  • Other non-competitive or special appointing authorities: provide documentation which supports your eligibility.
  • Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency 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.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.
Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents sections. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:

  1. You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/.
  2. To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
  3. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
  4. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
  5. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. This notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
  6. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
  7. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessment. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning your assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
  8. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can reuse your unique assessment link.
  9. Your responses to the USA Hire assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
For more general information, system requirements, reasonable accommodation information, and to request assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources: USA Hire Assessments.

To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has been closed. To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account at https://usajobs.gov. On the Home page, scroll down and locate your job application. Once the job has been located, click the "Track this application" link on the right under the application date. The page will refresh to display the Agency's Application Information page where you can scroll down and review any notifications the agency has sent you. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. You may also view your USA Hire Assessment completion status on your application status page. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots; if possible, to aid technical support. Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc. Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

Agency contact information

Leandro Ortiz
Phone
505-584-9670
Email
leandro.ortiz@hq.doe.gov
Address
Office of the Inspector General
1000 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20585
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated.

You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJobs Account and editing the Notification Settings.

You will be contacted directly if an interview is required. All applicants will receive notifications and you will be notified of our rating and referral decision. If you are referred, you will be notified after a hiring decision is made.

Department of Energy Headquarters

Come Join the Best
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) identifies opportunities to improve the performance of the Department of Energy's (Department) programs and operations. In support of the Department's mission to ensure America's security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions, we provide independent oversight that strengthens accountability across the Department. Our mission is to strengthen the integrity, economy and efficiency of the Department's programs and operations including deterring and detecting fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement. Professional Auditors and Investigators help guide the Department's enormous challenges into reality. At DOE-OIG, we serve the Nation through our quality and independent work, our talented workforce, and our innovative approaches to create positive change and to make good Government better. Join our team and gain valuable experience while developing your own personal career.

The OIG offers potential for advancement, excellent benefits, and numerous training opportunities. We are located in 13 states throughout the U.S. Please visit our website at http://www.ig.energy.gov/.

Agency contact information

Leandro Ortiz
Phone
505-584-9670
Email
leandro.ortiz@hq.doe.gov
Address
Office of the Inspector General
1000 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20585
US

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https://www.energy.gov/ig/office-inspector-general


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