Job Description
Communications Analyst (Visual)
US Government Accountability Office
These positions will be located in one of the following GAO Teams or Offices: GAO Teams List
Health Care (HC): Atlanta, GA, Seattle, WA, Washington, D.C.
Natural Resources & Environment (NRE): Washington, D.C.
Physical Infrastructure (PI): Dallas, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Seattle, WA, Washington, D.C.
Responsibilities
The GAO is seeking experienced professionals to serve as Communications Analysts (Visual); responsible for supporting the development, refinement, publication, and delivery of visual information products (e.g., illustrations, infographics, photographs, and maps) for GAO products. Depending on the organizational assignment, the incumbent may perform any of the following duties:
Participate in meetings and collaborate with all levels of staff to learn the visual information needs of the engagement, the points to be emphasized, and the relative importance of various information to be disseminated.
Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to identify significant information that will further a product’s message to create a clear visual representation.
Use GAO’s visual communication standards to maintain consistency of designs across visual information products and review text that accompanies them.
Develop illustrations, infographics, photographs, maps, and other visual information products that meet GAO’s visual communication standards and that convey a coherent message, thought, or idea.
Advise engagement teams on technical advantages and disadvantages of various formats, styles, media, and methods of creating visual designs that will best meet the objectives of GAO products.
Coordinate with teams and offices to perform in-depth analyses and interpret their needs for visual information products.
Serve as a team or unit resource and coach providing technical support and feedback to other VCAs in performing various aspects of their visual communication assignments.
Research, develop, and recommend innovative approaches to the presentation of visual information to support GAO design policies, standards, and procedures.
Ensure that all graphics developed adhere to set naming conventions and appropriate file storage/archival procedures.
Travel Required
Not required
Supervisory status
No
Promotion Potential
NA
Job family (Series)
1001 General Arts And Information
Requirements
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
You must be a U.S. citizen.
You will be required to submit a financial disclosure statement.
Selectee must be able to meet/maintain suitability & security requirements.
Completion of a probationary period may be required.
Selective Service registration if you are a male born after Dec. 31, 1959.
Must be able to obtain / maintain a security clearance.
You must meet all qualifications and/or requirements BEFORE the closing date of this announcement.
Qualifications
Applicants must have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower band level, or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service, 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 demonstrated experience analyzing written and data-based information and developing visual representations (e.g., flow charts, timelines, infographics, maps, photos, illustrations) to help communicate clear messages.
Education
There is no education requirement for this position.
Additional information
This is a bargaining unit position.
Annual salary for locations
Atlanta: $91,594 - $131,893
Dallas: $97,028 - $139,305
Los Angeles: $102,566 - $147,646
Seattle: $97,254 - $139,630
Washington, D.C. - $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, you will be further rated based on your responses to the assessment questions and placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans.
Please make sure that your responses to the assessment questions are supported in your resume and follow all instructions carefully. If you provide incomplete answers, fail to provide a narrative response to any assessment question(s) that requires further explanation, or if your response to an assessment 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):
Extensive knowledge of graphic design principles, methodologies, and practices that is sufficient to create or help develop complex images and visual representations of data to support a specific engagement team or project.
Demonstrated skills in utilizing software (e.g., Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and hardware to create visual designs for various publications, reports, presentations and other products in support of engagement team assignments and special events and programs for the agency.
Skill in analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and translating those data into clear visual representations in a written product.
Skill in transforming written descriptions of items, processes, issues, or events into visual representation and developing a variety of visual information products that are used to support and enhance the reader’s comprehension of key subjects, topics, or ideas.
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.
SF-50: Current and former federal employees eligible for reinstatement must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that indicates Federal status, grade, tenure and type of service.
- Veteran Hiring Authority Eligibles: VEOA, VRA, and 30% Disabled Veterans 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: an official statement of service from your command.
If you fail to submit any of the documentation listed above your application will be considered incomplete, and will result in loss of consideration.
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
The public
U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
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. This position is also being announced under the Agency's Merit Promotion procedures for federal employees and non-competitive appointment eligibles. If you are a current federal employee with status and wish to be considered under merit promotion or non-competitive procedures, you must apply to announcement number GAO-21-TEAMS-1001-02-MP.