WHAT IS THE COMMUNICATION AND LIAISON DIVISION?

A description of the business units can be found at: https://www.jobs.irs.gov/about/who/business-divisions

Vacancies will be filled in the following specialty areas:

Communications & Liaison; Office of Communications; Media Relations Branch.

The following are the duties of this position at the full working level. If this vacancy includes more than one grade and you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform these duties and receive training to help you grow in this position.

Serves as liaison between the Agency and the media on significant and sensitive matters involving the IRS.
Works with senior agency officials in the formulation of policies and programs. Provides counsel and advice to senior officials on media implications and external interpretation of policies and decisions under agency consideration. Acts as spokesperson for the IRS, responding to or coordinating a spokesperson to respond to sensitive media inquiries concerning complex tax law and IRS activities, policies, and procedures.
Works in coordination with IRS executives and managers, operational tax administration experts, and Media Relations counterparts to provide accurate and comprehensive answers to complex media inquiries. Determines the need for public information campaigns to ensure a high degree of voluntary compliance with Federal tax laws. Arranges and attends media interviews for Service officials and, in some instances, prepares the Service officials for the interview; prepares talking points and/or briefing papers, and/or acts as interviewee.
Builds effective working relationships with OD/FD/SS executives, management, and communication personnel by providing counsel and advice during the development and implementation of agency policies and procedures. Interprets, on behalf of agency management, tax law, regulations and IRS policies, procedures, and programs for the media.
Builds effective working relationships with members of the media to develop effective ways to communicate the tax law, regulations, and IRS policies, procedures, and programs and reach broad sections of the public. Tests and implements Media Relations strategies, policies, and procedures for effectively communicating various tax issues.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National and provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. (Birth certificate showing birth in the U.S; Unexpired U.S. Passport; Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization; or Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen (Form FS-240))
Undergo a review of prior performance/conduct and an income tax verification. Refer to "Get Your Tax Record" at http://www.irs.gov/(https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript) to check the status of your account, balance owed, payment history, make a payment, or review answers to tax questions. If you are not in compliance, you will be determined unsuitable for employment with IRS.
Must successfully complete a background investigation, including a FBI criminal history record check (fingerprint check).
Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. These documents must be unexpired original or certified copies.
Subject to a 1-year probationary period (unless already completed).
Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Additional jobs may be filled.
The salary range indicated in this announcement reflects the minimum locality pay up to maximum locality pay for all duty locations listed. The range will be adjusted for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.
This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Tour of Duty: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Alternative work schedule, staggered work hours or telework may be available.
Relocation expenses - No.
File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-13 Level: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 position in the Federal government. Examples of specialized experience include experience developing and implementing of all aspects of a public affairs program that involved media relations communication strategies for audiences that required knowledge of communication and media relations principles, practice and techniques; and experience analyzing a number of alternative approaches in the process of advising management concerning major aspects of the public affairs program including exploring the target audience and creating messages to reach them using the appropriate media vehicles.

Federal experience is not required. The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.

For more information on qualifications please refer to OPM's Qualifications Standards.

Education

For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Click here for Foreign Education Credentialing instructions.

Additional information

May be eligible for telework based on IRS policy. If you are in a telework eligible position, you may be directed to temporarily telework on a full-time basis due to COVID 19. Employees must be within a 200-mile radius of their official assigned post-of-duty (POD) while in a telework status. Once normal operations resume, employees may be directed back to the office to perform the duties of their position. Telework eligibility does not guarantee telework; employees must meet and sustain IRS telework eligibility requirements and supervisor's approval to participate in the IRS Telework Program. As a reminder - If you are selected for a position, you are responsible for reporting to your designated POD (location) on the negotiated start date or as directed by management.
Though many locations may be listed, you will be limited to a maximum of 3 location choices. Please consider each location carefully when applying. If you are selected for a position at one of your location selections, that location will become your official post of duty.

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.
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.

Your application includes your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination.

Rating: You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

Communications and Media
Interpersonal Skills
Oral Communication
Problem Solving
Writing

Category rating will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. If qualified, you will be assigned to one of two quality level categories, CAT A/B, CAT C depending on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, and training related to this position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. Candidates, if required to participate in a selection interview (telephonic and/or in person at the discretion of the Selecting Official in accordance with hiring practices), will be interviewed in quality group order. We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site.

Veterans' preference is applied after applicants are assessed. Qualified preference eligibiles who have a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more (CPS, CP) are placed at the top of the highest category on the referral list (except for scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher). Remaining preference eligibles are placed above non-preference eligibles within their assigned category.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must receive a rating of category CAT C to be rated as "well qualified" to receive special selection priority.

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.
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.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.