Communications Analyst

Communications Analyst (Written)

US Government Accountability Office

Los Angeles, CA

Job details

Salary

$88,959 - $154,682 a year

These positions will be located in one of the following GAO Team or Office:For details on specific teams visit GAO Teams List

Defense Capabilities and Management (DCM): Atlanta, GA, Dallas, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Norfolk, VA, Seattle, WA, Washington, DC

Education, Workforce and Income Security (EWIS) Boston, MA, Oakland, CA, Seattle, WA, Washington, DC

Health Care (HC): Atlanta, GA, Seattle, WA, Washington, DC

Physical Infrastructure (PI): Dallas, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Seattle, WA, Washington,DC

Responsibilities

GAO is seeking experienced professionals to serve as Communications Analysts (Written); responsible for supporting teams and offices in developing and producing written products and providing instruction on message development and writing. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Work with teams to frame research objectives and identify potential writing problems related to the study design.

Provide advanced-level written communications support concurrently to multiple teams or individuals working on complex or high-risk reviews of agencies and programs.

Build and maintain strong working relationships and collaborating with staff at all levels.

Facilitate discussions to help teams assess evidence, identify themes, and reach consensus on a message.

Serve as a resource on clear and concise writing, and as a writing coach.

Work with analysts, particularly new staff, to help them improve their writing skills.

Review and revise drafts to improve coherence, logical flow, clarity, and adherence to GAO quality and stylistic standards.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

02

Job family (Series)

1001 General Arts And Information

Requirements

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen or national.

You must be suitable for federal employment.

Completion of a satisfactory background investigation may be required.

Completion of a probationary period is required.

Selective Service registration if you are a male born after Dec. 31, 1959.

You must meet all qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

Ideal candidate statement: The ideal candidate for this position has expertise—gained through a combination of education and experience—using expert English-language writing skills to communicate complex or technical information clearly and concisely. The ideal candidate also has extensive experience applying critical thinking skills and collaborating with diverse teams of subject matter experts to organize, draft, and refine professional written products. These may include public reports, published articles, or scholarly essays. This candidate will also have experience using soft skills (such as listening, flexibility, problem solving, and empathy) to influence others over whom the candidate does not have direct authority; facilitating group discussions to develop a clear, unified message; as well as teaching or coaching adults to write in accordance with professional or institutional standards (such as the Plain Writing Act). In addition, the ideal candidate will have experience independently managing a large and dynamic workload involving multiple teams or individuals and concurrent projects.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet the specialized experience:

Applicants must have at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower band or level equivalent to the GS-11 in the federal service, or comparable private/public sector experience which has equipped the applicant with the skills and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience communicating complex or technical information(such as the results of scientific, academic, or public policy research and analysis) in writing; collaborating with-OR facilitating discussions among—subject matter experts or diverse groups of stakeholders; organizing, drafting, reviewing, and revising written materials to improve readability OR teaching/coaching adults to improve their writing skills (either in a classroom setting or by providing detailed feedback on draft products to help the authors understand techniques for improved written communication); and concurrently balancing multiple products or projects.

Education

There is no education requirement for this position.

Additional information

This is a bargaining unit position.

Annual salary for locations:

Atlanta, GA: $91,594-$131,893

Boston, MA: $102,435-$147,459

Dallas, TX: $97,028-$139,305

Los Angeles, CA: $102,566-$147,646

Norfolk, VA: $88,959-$128,028

Oakland, CA: $107,584-$154,682

Seattle, WA: $97,254-$139,630

Washington, DC: $97,481-$139,957

Based on the staffing needs, additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement.

Selectee will be required to file a Financial Disclosure Statement.

Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid for by the GAO.

Males born after 12/31/59 and at least 18 years of age must be registered with the Selective Service System. Visit SSS.

Selectees will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. At the time of appointment, selectees will be required to update the OF-306.

Selectees will be subject to a determination of suitability for Federal employment.

GAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request accommodation, please email ReasonableAccommodation@gao.gov.

GAO's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

GAO is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. Initial appointments, permanent or indefinite, to the GAO require completion of a probationary period.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

If you meet the qualification requirements stated above, you will be further rated based on your responses to the vacancy questions. Please make sure that your responses to the vacancy questions are supported in your resume. Please follow all instructions carefully. If you provide incomplete answers, fail to provide a narrative response to any vacancy question(s) that requires further explanation, or if your response to a vacancy question is "see resume”, your rating may be affected or you may be determined ineligible.

All applicants will be rated based on their responses to the assessment questions, in conjunction with the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA’s):

Advanced skill in analyzing and helping to develop complex written products.

Advanced skill in collaborating with teams to reconcile differing perspectives, while working on multiple engagements.

Extensive knowledge of principles of writing to analyze written information of a technical nature for logic, clarity, consistency, and readability.

Extensive knowledge of appropriate structure and tone of written products, including style, grammar, and usage.

To preview questions please click here.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance

Other

Drug test required

No

Required Documents

Required Documents

You must provide a complete application package which includes:

Resume: must be created using the USAJOBS resume builder and show relevant work experience.

- If you are claiming veterans’ preference you must submit adequate proof of active service in the Armed Forces including Member 4 copy of your DD-214, which indicates character of service. To claim 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15 and a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs verifying the percentage of your disability and preference in hiring. To claim 5-Point veterans' preference, you must submit a Member 4 copy of the DD - 214 or if you are currently active duty and are within 120 days of discharge or release from active duty, you must submit certification of expected discharge or release under honorable conditions with your application. The certification must be an official statement of service from the armed forces command.

Current or former federal employees may submit their most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent), showing tenure, type of service (competitive/excepted) and the highest grade held.

Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Benefits

Benefits

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.

Individuals selected will be eligible for a full range of federal employment benefits including vacation and sick leave, retirement coverage and Thrift Savings Plan, and health and life insurance. A complete list of benefits is available on the web at Benefits (gao.gov)

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.

Help

This job is open to

Individuals with disabilities

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current or former competitive service federal employees.

Veterans

Clarification from the agency

The GAO is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. Applicants employed by other federal excepted service agencies who do not have status gained in the competitive service must apply to announcement number GAO-21-TEAMS-1001-01-DE for consideration.