Public Affairs Specialist

Public Affairs Specialist

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Summary

The Office of Public Affairs (OPA) of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC or Commission) is the primary public-facing office that provides honest, timely and useful information across all communication platforms in order to serve internal and external stakeholders in all sectors to accomplish and facilitate CFTC’s mission. OPA proactively conducts outreach and creates messages designed to raise awareness of the CFTC brand in order to promote public trust.

Duties

If selected for this position you will serve as a Public Affairs Specialist with primary responsibility for writing, coordinating and releasing of enforcement press releases, recommend social media posting for those releases, and being a liaison to the Enforcement Division for any press calls or interview opportunities. Further, the incumbent will assist in writing, editing and releasing other non-enforcement press releases and materials as needed. You will assist with other day-to-day public affairs activities, including serving as back-up for compiling CFTC’s Daily News Clips. As a Public Affairs Specialist you will perform duties such as:

Developing, coordinating, implementing, and overseeing the OPA enforcement related public affairs program objectives and provides a high level of original and creative analysis, interpretation, and formulation in accordance with the mission of OPA, the Commission and the interests of the Director, Chairman and Commissioners.

Performing highly complex assignments to assist the Director in formulating media outreach concerning CFTC enforcement initiatives and education efforts.

Serving as the primary OPA person for enforcement related press releases, media outreach, handling incoming media calls, social media and looks for other opportunities to proactively advance the agency’s enforcement role and efforts to protect consumers from fraud and manipulation. Working with the Enforcement Division’s staff to develop press releases and supporting documentation such as fact sheets, Q and A’s or other media friendly supporting documents that tell the story of the enforcement action.

Working with the Enforcement Division to create, write and promote the agency’s annual enforcement results, which is typically released in the fall of each year. Coordinating with the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs to ensure that enforcement content is provided to Congress, state Attorneys General and other interested parties.

Fielding incoming press calls (but won’t have on the record ability without clearance) and makes recommendations to the director on how best to handle. Devising, creating and finding1 opportunities to highlight CFTC’s enforcement programs through interviews, profiles, and using other public relations techniques and practices to elevate the program. Creating social media content in an effort to keep a sustained source of information to remind the public of the CFTC’s enforcement and customer protection efforts.

Posting content to the website and be responsible for press release distribution through electronic applications and services (Drupal/Cision). Working with the Whistleblower Office on their media announcements and working with the Whistleblower Office staff members to promote their program and overall efforts. Updating and maintaining press lists of white-collar crime reporters and other media who cover CFTC enforcement programs.

Carrying out special assignments and studies for the Director and Associate Director on various national and international public affairs initiatives which impact on the public and commodity futures trading industry perception of the CFTC. Undertaking other special projects which may include research involving industry perception of CFTC enforcement policies related to derivatives, foreign exchange and related systemically important financial matters. Participating in the development of supporting data, obtains the views of concerned parties, analyzes the diverse considerations and makes recommendations consistent with the objectives of the research, assuring that issues are appropriately addressed.

Conducting ongoing analyses of media related issues in the assigned area in order to identify actual or potential problem areas, to determine the possible impact on OPA public affairs program responsibilities and activities, and to develop appropriate information and recommendations in order to maintain a proactive stance for the Director on pertinent issues.