your country needs you! communicators in the federal government
TRANSCRIPT
Your Country Needs
YOU!Communicators in the US Government
DAVID L. CARUSO
@DCCD
#STCPMC16 @dccd
Why Federal Service?
H T T P : / / W W W. PA U L R I D E N O U R . C O M / D C . H T M
D i s c l a i m e r : T h i s p r e s e n t a ti o n i s f o r i n f o r m a ti o n a l p u r p o s e s o n l y . A l l c o n t e n t a n d o p i n i o n s e x p r e s s e d i n t h i s p r e s e n t a ti o n a r e t h o s e o f t h e p r e s e n t e r a n d a r e n o t m e a n t t o r e p r e s e n t S T C , N I O S H , C D C , H H S , O P M o r t h e e n ti r e t y o f t h e U S f e d e r a l g o v e r n m e n t . T h e p r e s e n t e r h a s n o i n s i d e k n o w l e d g e o f a n y o f t h e j o b p o s ti n g s d i s c u s s e d .
Public Service Preparation and response for outbreaks, disasters
Helping people get services and information
Informing people about actions and activities of their Government
Inviting public comment and participation
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Benefits Training/Professional Growth
Student Loan Repayment
Job Security
Location, Location, Location – Moving expenses are sometimes authorized!
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The Jobs and where to find them
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Create an account
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Upload a resume (for each job)
Be sure to include: Full description of work performed, use language from duties and occupational questionnaire
Highest level/most important/most complex of work
Month and year of start and end to each work experience entry
Skills, awards, training, certifications, publications etc.
Search and Alerts
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Position TypesPathways Internship, must be US Citizen, 16+, Enrolled at an accredited
educational institutionFellow FTE Equivalent, term limited appointment, can be extended
FTE “Full-Time Equivalent,” Permanent Federal Employee (pending probationary period)
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Series/GradeSeries Four digit designation to your position’s series within the OPM
general services (GS) classification system• Writing and Editing Series GS-1082• Technical Writing and Editing Series GS-1083
Grade There are 15 grades within the GS. • Bachelor’s degree holders start at a GS-5• Master’s degree holders start at GS-9• PhD holders start at GS-12
Within each grade are 10 steps which are advanced by performance and longevity.
Consult local salary tables to determine wages for each grade.
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Salary Table Example
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My Experience
Office Space, 1999. Twentieth Century Fox.
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Umm, yeah…if you could just…
Office Space, 1999. Twentieth Century Fox.
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Examples of USA Jobs
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Dept. of Homeland SecurityWriter/Editor GS-12/13
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Duties Develop core speech content for top executives/senior leadership within the DHS National Protection and Programs Directorate.
Develop, plan, and coordinate speeches across multiple directorates throughout DHS.
Write speeches and talking points of varying lengths as well as edit speeches and talking points developed by others.
Assist in developing media and stakeholder outreach materials.
Speech writer
Content manager
Editor
Producer
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The Occupational Questionnaire
For each task in the following groups, choose the statement from the list A through E following that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability.
A. I have no experience in performing this work behavior.
B. I have limited experience in performing this work behavior. I have had exposure to this work behavior but would require additional guidance, instruction, or experience to perform it at a proficient level.
C. I have experience performing this work behavior across routine or predictable situations with minimal supervision or guidance.
D. I have performed this work behavior independently across a wide range of situations. I have assisted others in carrying out this work behavior. I seek guidance in carrying out this work behavior only in unusually complex situations.
E. I am considered an expert in carrying out this work behavior. I advise and instruct others in carrying out this work behavior on a regular basis. I am consulted by my colleagues and/or superiors to carry out this work behavior in unusually complex situations.
#STCPMC16 @dccd
The Occupational Questionnaire
For each task in the following groups, choose the statement from the list A through E following that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability.
A. I have no experience in performing this work behavior.
B. I have limited experience in performing this work behavior. I have had exposure to this work behavior but would require additional guidance, instruction, or experience to perform it at a proficient level.
C. I have experience performing this work behavior across routine or predictable situations with minimal supervision or guidance.
D. I have performed this work behavior independently across a wide range of situations. I have assisted others in carrying out this work behavior. I seek guidance in carrying out this work behavior only in unusually complex situations.
E. I am considered an expert in carrying out this work behavior. I advise and instruct others in carrying out this work behavior on a regular basis. I am consulted by my colleagues and/or superiors to carry out this work behavior in unusually complex situations.
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No Points
Some Points
Max Points
More Points
Sample questions Write and publish materials that are complex and/or controversial and that require a high degree of tact and diplomacy in presentation method.
Draft talking points or speeches that are intended to be delivered to new sources or the general public.
Gather and analyze information by interviewing subject matter experts in a specific field of study.
Draft incident communications, develop long-term communications plans or monitor media coverage of the incident.
Maintain awareness of the kinds of organizations to which speeches would be made and the nature of the audiences.
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ICE – Public Affairs 12/13
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Still open!!!
Duties Developing and disseminating written
communication in the form of news articles and releases, fact sheets, responses to media or the public, articles, pamphlets, newsletters and speeches
Serving as a liaison between ICE leadership and the media by ensuring timely and accurate information dissemination
Providing guidance, assistance and consultation to field offices concerning agency procedures for responding to requests from the media, general public, specialized groups, and community and government entities
Managing public and community relations by handling queries about agency activities that could affect the community
Multiple communication output types for this agency
Are you good at establishing trust with your SMEs and audience?
Internal communication
Public service, full inbox
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NOAA – Technical Writer 9/12
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Duties Serves as a Technical Writer for Fisheries
Regulations in the Sustainable Fisheries Division, Policy Branch, of the NMFS Southeast Regional Office.
Drafts temporary, proposed, and final regulations, as necessary, to implement fishery management actions for the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean regions, as assigned.
…ensures that regulations are drafted consistent with applicable format, policy, and legal guidance; coordinates the review of assigned regulations from initial drafting through publication in the Federal Register, including coordination of, evaluation of, and response to reviewers comments as appropriate; incorporates regulatory revisions into the Region's consolidated regulations.
Clearly tells you what the job is and where it is within the organization
Initiate new content or build from a template
Consistency, tone
Version control
Process and workflow
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The Occupational Questionnaire
A. I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.
B. I have had education or training in performing the task, but have not yet performed it on the job.
C. I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.
D. I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
E. I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.
1. Ensures that regulations, reports, or other documents are drafted consistent with applicable format, policy, and legal guidance.
2. Devises or make recommendations regarding regulatory measures or other issues to higher level staff.
3. Applies knowledge and competence in technical writing as it is applied to drafting regulations, reports, or other documents on natural resource management.
4. Assimilates diverse information to provide written explanation of regulations, reports, or other documents on natural resource management.
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No Points
Some Points
Max Points
Export-Import Bank of the United StatesPublic Affairs Specialist (Digital Engagement Specialist) GS-11
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Duties Directly support the digital engagement manager in the
planning, management and tracking of all digital activities, such as posting to social media platforms, content and video development, and website development and maintenance.
Responsible for developing a range of content including social media posts (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), blogs, video, and banner ads.
Establishes and maintains relationships with agency business units to create, cross-promote, and leverage social media content.
Work with Ex-Im Sales and Marketing to coordinate cross departmental social media calendar and activities, and provide oversight of non-Communications department social media activities across the Bank.
Develops social media strategy and campaigns for Ex-Im Bank with consideration for agency’s varied stakeholders, goals and mission, as well as business needs for marketing, sales, and customer support. Update and maintain strategy to keep up with evolving industry standards and best practices.
Indicates where you are in the org chart, you are working in support of someone else who will be setting the top level strategy
Social media is a primary responsibility
Strong internal communication skills are a must!
Planning and organization skills
Some strategy/planning is involved – this sounds like it is a growth opportunity
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The Occupational Questionnaire
Select the one statement that most accurately reflects your training and experience with respect to your technical digital media skills.
A. I have no training or experience related to this activity.
B. I lead social media projects using website technologies, including computer graphic techniques, engagement platforms, and analytics tools.
C. I update and maintain web content based on requests from others.
D. I use digital images, video, and electronically-produced graphics to create original social media content.
Select the one statement that most accurately reflects your training and experience developing online strategy and messaging.
A. I have had no training or experience related to this activity.
B. I collaborate with others to create multimedia content for the web and social media networks and platforms.
C. I assist others in determining the best methods to convey multimedia content via social media and the web.
D. I determine the best strategies to communicate with stakeholders and develop multimedia content for the web and social media networks and platforms.
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The Occupational Questionnaire
Select the one statement that most accurately reflects your training and experience with respect to your technical digital media skills.
A. I have no training or experience related to this activity.
B. I lead social media projects using website technologies, including computer graphic techniques, engagement platforms, and analytics tools.
C. I update and maintain web content based on requests from others.
D. I use digital images, video, and electronically-produced graphics to create original social media content.
Select the one statement that most accurately reflects your training and experience developing online strategy and messaging.
A. I have had no training or experience related to this activity.
B. I collaborate with others to create multimedia content for the web and social media networks and platforms.
C. I assist others in determining the best methods to convey multimedia content via social media and the web.
D. I determine the best strategies to communicate with stakeholders and develop multimedia content for the web and social media networks and platforms.
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No Points
Some Points
Max Points
No Points
Some Points
Max Points
Economic Development AdministrationInternal Communication Program Specialist
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Duties Develop and advance an internal communications
program increasing visibility and conversation on issues and information of interest to EDA employees…
Independently develop high-quality communications products by attending working-level meetings, interviewing individuals and conducting focus groups to extract information.
Develop policies and means of dissemination of information to EDA employees to enhance understanding…
Build and maintain relationships with other EDA offices to identify communication opportunities, innovations and information on people, programs, projects and initiatives.
This is something they want but do not have right now.
Self-starter, working solo
Know how to reach people…
…and build relationships.
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The Occupational Questionnaire
Please identify your experience related to internal communications within your organization. Check all that apply.
Developing a communications plan. Interviewing colleagues across offices. Creating focus groups. Editing and redeveloping a communications plan.
Refining communications plan(s) as more opportunities become available.
None of the above
Please identify the position(s) on your resume, in which you have performed the task(s).
Identify any past experience with the following items: (Check all that apply).
Creating and maintaining an online bulletin. Publishing and designing multimedia material.
Creating and maintaining other material on the Internet as well as Intranet.
None of the above.
Please identify the position(s) on your resume, in which you have performed the task(s).
More checks = more points
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Supporting details
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Pathways exampleDUTIES
Reviewing technical information and assists in generating story ideas for potential use in news articles and agency publications.
Assisting in the development of briefing materials using video and audio production software.
Providing support by using word processing, graphic-design, and desktop-publishing tools to prepare, revise, update, and print a variety of reports, charts, messages and other documents.
Using software such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access to prepare reports, summaries, briefings, and other documents and correspondence, and to analyze and effectively present various types of data.
Verifing that grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct, and that materials are produced and prepared in proper/appropriate formats.
Assisting with other agency initiatives as required.
PATHWAYS INTERN - STUDENT TRAINEE (PUBLIC AFFAIRS)
How to use this information Pre-answer questions within your resume experience section
Describe your ability to “determine the best strategy…” or how you are “considered a expert in social media communication planning.”
Choose references that also demonstrate these skills
Use terms and text from the position description and questions verbatim
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Don’t take my word for it GovLoop – A social network for all levels of GOV employees
NAGC – National Association of Government Communicators
◦ Communications School
#HCSM (Health Communications & Social Media) – LinkedIn group
USAjobs Finding and Applying video
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