Visual Communication Specialist

Summary

NATURE OF APPOINTMENT: This is a Recent Graduate opportunity under the DOT Pathways Program. Appointment is in the Excepted service not-to-exceed one (1) year. Upon successful completion of the one year developmental program, the position may be converted into the Competitive service as a term or permanent (career/career conditional) employee. Conversion is not guaranteed and is based on the needs of the agency. If converted, the full performance level of the position will be GS-13.

This job is open to

Recent graduates
Individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years or 6 years for Veterans.

Clarification from the agency

Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional, Doctorate, Vocational or Technical degree or certificate from an accredited educational institution. (Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree due to military service obligation, have as much as six years after degree completion to apply). Must have at least a cumulative (overall) 2.7 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale

Duties

Since Congress established the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG) in 1978, we have been dedicated to providing independent and objective reviews of the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of DOT programs and operations. We are committed to detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse within the Department. Our work impacts the lives of every American, as the safe and efficient movement of people, goods, and information is vital to economic growth, global partnerships, and quality of life. Our audits and investigations lead to recoveries of significant amounts of improper payments, cost savings opportunities, and program improvements that directly enhance the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of the Nation’s transportation infrastructure.

Key to achieving DOT-OIG’s important mission is effectively communicating the results of audits and investigations to policymakers. As a Visual Communications Specialist, you’ll join our high-performing Communications Team within the Office of Strategic Communications and Programs. You’ll work closely with writers, subject matter experts, other designers, and staff across the agency to clearly and concisely convey complex information in a variety of visual formats.

Learn more about DOT-OIG’s mission and impact, and why we’re consistently ranked one of the top places to work in the Federal Government, on our website: https://www.oig.dot.gov/about-oig/careers

As a Visual Communication Specialist (Recent Graduate), you will:

Perform work that includes but is not limited to design and display of such visual materials as photographs, illustrations, diagrams, graphs, objects, models, slides, and charts used in books, magazines, pamphlets, exhibits, live or video recorded speeches or lectures, and other means of communicating.
Apply the principles of visual design; knowledge of the technical characteristics associated with various methods of visual display; and the ability to present subject matter information in a visual form that will convey the intended message to, or have the desired effect on, the intended audience.
Produce internal/external multimedia productions that address our core mission to detect and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. These products may include printed material for presentation slides, manuals, newsletters, pamphlets, handbooks, filming /editing video, and adding graphic elements to videos or reports.
Work on a variety of multimedia projects, including video productions, animations, branding strategies, publications, graphics, logos, and presentation support.
Work closely with experienced Visual Communication Specialists on a variety of projects.
Assist with tasks related to production and post-production processes and gain enhanced knowledge, hands-on experience, and insight into the role of communications in keeping the traveling public safe.

Desired Skills:
• Effectively script, plan, and organize video shoots.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud graphic design software.
• Experience with Adobe Premiere video editing software.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Must sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Agreement.
Cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher.
This position is subject to a background investigation.
Mandatory Education Requirement – Submit Transcripts
Submit application and resume online by 11:59 P.M. EST on the closing date.
Must possess a conferred degree or graduate by June 30, 2023.

Graphics and/or Video Portfolio: Given the primary duties of this position, you are required to provide with your application a link to or attached files of your portfolio. Your portfolio should demonstrate a range of visual communication products, skills, and basic knowledge of design principles.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

Your application will be evaluated based on the following competencies: (1) Attention to Detail, (2) Creativity and Innovation, (3) Communications and Media, and (4) Design.

GS-7: To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the federal service with the following:

Experience maintaining and using equipment to provide audio visual support for presentations.
Experience following predetermined formats and specific themes to produce designs, or visual styles for publications, exhibits, or presentation materials.
Experience producing creative graphic design work in conjunction with supervisor/lead, administrators and staff to create visual designs/layouts to convey intended messages or have a desired effect on intended audiences.
Experience serving as a resource for staff and agency customers with a variety of graphic directions, or options for unique projects.
Experience providing photographic and or video coverage of events.
Experience creating graphic material.
Converting basic written information to form.

***Please note at the GS-07 grade level, the specialized experience can be performed with substantial assistance and supervisory involvement.

Education: Completed one full academic year of graduate education in a related field such as graphic design, digital media, public affairs and marketing or a field related to the position. 18 graduate (master’s level) semester hours is considered a full academic year of graduate education.

Combination of Education and Experience: Applicants that possess a percentage of the required specialized experience and a percentage of the required graduate level education such that, when the percentages of the required graduate education and specialized experience are added together, they equal 100%. (Only graduate education and only professional experience equivalent to the GS-5 or higher is creditable.) 18 graduate (master’s level) semester hours is considered a full academic year of graduate education. OR

Superior Academic Achievement: You possess a (Conferred) or will possess a conferred BACHELOR’S DEGREE in graphic design, digital media, public affairs and marketing or a field related to the position that is qualifying for this position that meets the criteria for eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement provision through one of the following methods. No more than 10% of academic credit can be based on pass/fail or similar non-traditional grading systems.

* 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (“B” or better) as recorded on the official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum

* 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 (“B+” or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

(Grade-point averages will be rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9)

* Upper 1/3 ranking in graduating class (you must submit proof with your application)

* National Scholastic Honor Society. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. (You must submit proof with your application)

GS-09: You possess a (Conferred) or will possess a conferred master’s or equivalent graduate degree in graphic design, digital media, public affairs and marketing or a field related to the position; OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree.

Specialized Experience:

GS-09: To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the federal service including the following:

Experience maintaining and using equipment to provide audio visual support for presentations.
Experience following predetermined formats and specific themes to produce designs, or visual styles for publications, exhibits, or presentation materials.
Experience producing creative graphic design work in conjunction with supervisor/lead, administrators and staff to create visual designs/layouts to convey intended messages or have a desired effect on intended audiences.
Experience serving as a resource for staff and agency customers with a variety of graphic directions, or options for unique projects.
Experience providing photographic and or video coverage of events.
Experience creating graphic material.
Converting basic written information to form.

***Please note that at the GS-09 grade level, the specialized experience should be performed with less assistance and supervisory involvement.

NOTE: APPLICANTS MUST MEET QUALIFICATIONS BY JUNE 30, 2023.

Education

In accordance with 5 CFR 362.302. applicants must have obtained a qualifying associate, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational/technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution, within the previous two years unless military service interfered with a veteran’s eligibility to apply during that two-year time frame. Veterans meeting the above exclusion must apply within two years of discharge or six years from the date of receipt of the degree, whichever comes first.

This is a temporary Pathways Recent Graduate Program appointment not-to-exceed 1 year. Notwithstanding performance, misconduct or budgetary issues, a Recent Graduate, who is a U.S. Citizen, may be noncompetitively converted to a term or permanent position upon successful completion of the 1-year Pathways Program period when the recent graduate has:

Successfully completed at least one-year of continuous service in addition to fulfilling all the requirements of the Recent Graduates Program;
Demonstrated successful job performance consistent with the applicable performance appraisal program that results in a rating of record (or summary rating) of at least Achieved Results or equivalent;
Received a recommendation for conversion from the first-level supervisor; and
Meets the OPM Qualification Standard for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted.

NOTE: There is no guarantee for conversion.

Education: All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

Undergraduate or Graduate Education: Degree in graphic design, digital media, public affairs and marketing or a field related to the position.

NOTE: ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETE COPY OF THEIR TRANSCRIPTS. DEGREE AUDITS ARE NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTE FOR OFFICIAL/UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS.IF SELECTED, AN OFFICIAL/SEALED TRANSCRIPT WILL BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO AN APPOINTMENT DATE BEING ESTABLISHED.

IF YOU HAVE EARNED A DEGREE FROM A FOREIGN INSTITUTION YOU MUST SUBMIT WITH YOUR APPLICATION EVIDENCE THAT ANY EDUCATION COMPLETED IN A FOREIGN INSTITUTION WAS APPROPRIATELY ACCREDITED BY AN ACCREDITING BODY RECOGNIZED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS EQUIVALENT TO U.S. STANDARDS. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, REFER TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WEB SITE AT http://www.ed.gov.

Additional information

NOTE: APPLICANTS MUST MEET QUALIFICATIONS BY JUNE 30, 2023.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL LIKE VACANCIES IN THE ANNOUNCED DUTY LOCATION.

Any male applicant who was born after December 31, 1959, and who is subsequently selected for this position must certify that he is registered for the military selective service by the date he is to enter on duty. False certification may result in termination after appointment.

If you served on active duty in the U.S. Military and were separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for veteran’s preference. More information on veterans’ is available in the VetGuide that may be found on the United States Office of Personnel Management website at www.opm.gov. If you are entitled to veteran preference, you should indicate the type of veteran preference you are claiming on your resume/application. In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, please submit a copy of the Member 4 copy of your DD-214 (certificate of release or discharge from active duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g. documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions. In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a purple heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a standard Form (SF) 15, “Application for 10 point veteran preference” and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your claim.
Veteran preference eligibles will be listed ahead of non-veterans.

THIS AGENCY PROVIDES REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES. IF YOU NEED A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY PART OF THE APPLICATION AND HIRING PROCESS, PLEASE NOTIFY THE AGENCY. THE DECISION ON GRANTING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS WILL BE ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS. ALL APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE CONSIDERATION REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, POLITICAL AFFILIATION, UNION AFFILIATION OR NON-AFFILIATION, MARITAL STATUS, NON-DISQUALIFYING PHYSICAL HANDICAP, OR ANY OTHER NON-MERIT REASON. THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG), U. S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.Relocation expenses will not be paid.

This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service.

It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or to find an individual unqualified, unsuitable, or unfit for employment based upon financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual’s employment experience should be used only to determine the person’s qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual’s personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of unfavorable suitability or fitness determination.

Benefits
Agency Benefits:

This position is eligible for:
- Telework
- Sick Leave
- Annual leave
- Transit Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Eligible for retirement benefits if appointments are for more than 1 year
Review our benefits

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Candidates will be assessed based on their eligibility requirements listed under qualifications. Candidates who do not meet the minimum qualification requirements will not be further evaluated.

Applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be further evaluated on their responses to the on-line announcement questions.

All applicants must meet all qualifications for the position and the Pathways eligibility requirements to be considered.

Primarily applicants will be considered in Unranked Order [5 CFR 302.304(b)(5)]. Preference eligibles who have a compensable service connected disability of 10 percent or more are considered first, followed, second, by other 10-point preference eligibles, third by 5-point preference eligibles, and last, by nonpreference eligible.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Benefits
Agency Benefits:

This position is eligible for:
- Telework
- Sick Leave
- Annual leave
- Transit Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Eligible for retirement benefits if appointments are for more than 1 year
Review our benefits
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.

TRANSCRIPTS – You MUST provide transcripts showing degree conferral date to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A degree audit is unacceptable.

GRAPHICS AND/OR VIDEO PORTFOLIO: Given the primary duties of this position, you are required to provide with your application a link to or attached files of your portfolio. You can save link to a word document, list on your resume or provide the link in the questionnaire.

PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE A PHOTO OF YOURSELF IN YOUR RESUME OR OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. FAILURE TO COMPLY MAY RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION REMOVED FROM CONSIDERATION

TRANSCRIPTS – You MUST provide current transcripts showing current enrollment to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A degree audit is unacceptable

RESUME
DD-214 and/or SF-15 – To receive consideration including veteran’s preference points, all veterans must submit a copy of their DD-214 (copy Member #4). If you are claiming 10-point preference, you must submit your SF-15 (revised 10/13) form is available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/sf.asp. If you are claiming preference eligibility as a disabled veteran, you must submit proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally a valid letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. If you are a current service member, in lieu of a DD-214, you may submit a statement from your military personnel center certifying the nature and dates of your service and expected date of separation.

Supporting documents may either be uploaded or faxed to 571-258-4052. The requested information MUST be received by fax within 48 hours prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays or government holidays).

NOTE: If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings are subject to change or you may be removed from employment consideration.

Applicants who fail to submit all the required documentation listed above, in addition to their resumes, will be considered ineligible for further consideration for this announcement.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Applications submitted via WWW.USAJOBS.GOV must be received before midnight eastern time on the closing date of the announcement. No extensions will be granted. If you fail to submit a COMPLETE on-line resume, you WILL NOT be considered for this position. Please make sure that the responses provided in the questionnaire are fully supported by your resume, that your resume is detailed and you have highlighted your most relevant experience for this position (to include starting and ending dates of employment for each position held), and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. If you fail to provide this information, it may result in you being rated “ineligible” or “not qualified” for this position.

If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings are subject to change or you may be removed from employment consideration. Applicants who do not respond to the application questions will be rated ineligible.

If applying on-line poses a hardship to any applicant, the Servicing Personnel Office listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted on-line by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Servicing Human Resources Office PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE to speak to someone who can provide assistance for on-line submission. Requests for extensions will not be granted.

Agency contact information

Risikat Oshodi

Phone

202-366-1490

TDD

202-366-2136

Email

risikat.oshodi@oig.dot.gov

Address

DOT, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 1200 New Jersey Ave SE Washington, District of Columbia 20590 United States

Next steps

Once you complete and submit your application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the job. Qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager in unranked order, and if applicable, by veteran preference status followed by all qualified non-veteran applications. You will not be considered for the position if any part of the application or supporting documentation is incomplete. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or adverse action after hiring. It is essential that you have a current e-mail address on file and remove any restrictions from your e-mail account that may prohibit our contacting you via e-mail. You may also check the status of your application at WWW.USAJOBS.GOV.
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request

Required Documents

TRANSCRIPTS – You MUST provide transcripts showing degree conferral date to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A degree audit is unacceptable.

GRAPHICS AND/OR VIDEO PORTFOLIO: Given the primary duties of this position, you are required to provide with your application a link to or attached files of your portfolio. You can save link to a word document, list on your resume or provide the link in the questionnaire.

PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE A PHOTO OF YOURSELF IN YOUR RESUME OR OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. FAILURE TO COMPLY MAY RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION REMOVED FROM CONSIDERATION

TRANSCRIPTS – You MUST provide current transcripts showing current enrollment to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. A degree audit is unacceptable

RESUME

Your resume must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete and you may not receive consideration for this position.
For additional information see:

What to include in your resume
Resume Writing

DD-214 and/or SF-15 – To receive consideration including veteran’s preference points, all veterans must submit a copy of their DD-214 (copy Member #4). If you are claiming 10-point preference, you must submit your SF-15 (revised 10/13) form is available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/html/sf.asp. If you are claiming preference eligibility as a disabled veteran, you must submit proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally a valid letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. If you are a current service member, in lieu of a DD-214, you may submit a statement from your military personnel center certifying the nature and dates of your service and expected date of separation.

Supporting documents may either be uploaded or faxed to 571-258-4052. The requested information MUST be received by fax within 48 hours prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement (not including Saturdays, Sundays or government holidays).

NOTE: If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings are subject to change or you may be removed from employment consideration.

Applicants who fail to submit all the required documentation listed above, in addition to their resumes, will be considered ineligible for further consideration for this announcement.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Applications submitted via WWW.USAJOBS.GOV must be received before midnight eastern time on the closing date of the announcement. No extensions will be granted. If you fail to submit a COMPLETE on-line resume, you WILL NOT be considered for this position. Please make sure that the responses provided in the questionnaire are fully supported by your resume, that your resume is detailed and you have highlighted your most relevant experience for this position (to include starting and ending dates of employment for each position held), and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. If you fail to provide this information, it may result in you being rated “ineligible” or “not qualified” for this position.

If you exaggerate or falsify your experience, education and/or your responses to questions, your ratings are subject to change or you may be removed from employment consideration. Applicants who do not respond to the application questions will be rated ineligible.

If applying on-line poses a hardship to any applicant, the Servicing Personnel Office listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted on-line by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Servicing Human Resources Office PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE to speak to someone who can provide assistance for on-line submission. Requests for extensions will not be granted.

Agency contact information

Risikat Oshodi

Phone

202-366-1490

TDD

202-366-2136

Email

risikat.oshodi@oig.dot.gov

Address

DOT, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 1200 New Jersey Ave SE Washington, District of Columbia 20590 United States

Next steps

Once you complete and submit your application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the job. Qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager in unranked order, and if applicable, by veteran preference status followed by all qualified non-veteran applications. You will not be considered for the position if any part of the application or supporting documentation is incomplete. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or adverse action after hiring. It is essential that you have a current e-mail address on file and remove any restrictions from your e-mail account that may prohibit our contacting you via e-mail. You may also check the status of your application at WWW.USAJOBS.GOV.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
Reasonable accommodation policy
Financial suitability
Selective Service
New employee probationary period
Signature and false statements
Privacy Act
Social security number request

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