Public Affairs Specialist (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

The incumbent serves as a Public Affairs Specialist in the Office of Public Affairs within the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of Transportation (DOT) located in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, the incumbent is responsible for planning and executing comprehensive public affairs activities to inform general and specialized audiences about the agency's programs and promote their understanding, approval, and support of FHWA policies, programs, activities and accomplishments.

As a Public Affairs Specialist, you will: Responsible for planning and executing comprehensive public affairs activities to inform general and specialized audiences about the agency's programs and promote their understanding, approval, and support of FHWA policies, programs, activities and accomplishments. Plans, coordinates, and interacts with stakeholders in support of FHWA-sponsored, co-sponsored or transportation-related industry conferences, meetings, public events, and special projects where FHWA officials are participating. Exercise a high level of independence in analyzing and evaluating current agencies and departmental programs and initiatives. Identifies and advises Office of Public Affairs leadership and senior agency officials on problem areas, trends, accomplishments, and deficiencies as they relate to agency communications. Write and edit factually accurate and thoroughly researched communications products including media responses, holding statements, talking points, Q&A, news releases, rollout plans, fact sheets, and briefing papers to ensure messages relating to FHWA policies, programs and other initiatives are clear, convincing, and meet FHWA's high quality standards. The incumbent helps ensure the logic, clarity, consistency, grammatical accuracy, and appropriate tone of FHWA written products. To perform these duties well, the incumbent must possess the ability to think critically, work effectively, independently, and diplomatically in teams, and make technical information understandable to general audiences. In addition, the incumbent may also help train new staff or instruct others in message development and writing The ideal candidate for this position is a mid-career or senior professional with extensive experience coordinating public affairs, communications and outreach initiatives as well as day-to-day press activities, handling media inquiries and writing materials that include news releases, talking points or other prepared remarks, briefing materials, fact sheets and publications. The ideal candidate has worked with and established effective relationships with news media.