Summary The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is seeking a Public Affairs Specialist to join a team of professionals in the Congressional Programs and Communications Office, of the Office of the Director (DIR). Responsibilities The Public Affairs Specialist will assist management with logistical and administrative support necessary to deliver programs, seminars, and events for Members, committees, and staff of the U.S. Congress, and will assist with major programs and services related to education and outreach for CRS's congressional clients. The DIR Congressional Programs and Communications Office is responsible for activities including, but not limited to: Coordinating regularly-scheduled training programs on legislative and budget process; Coordinating programs and seminars on the federal budget, federal law, and public policy issues; Coordinating policy programs for new Members of Congress and orientation to CRS services for permanent congressional staff and for congressional interns; Coordinating other events for the U.S. Congress and for CRS managers and staff; Engaging in outreach to Congress, including developing and presenting information about CRS programs, products and services; Managing media relations, social media, websites and internal communications. Individuals with event planning and event coordination experience and knowledge of public policy and the U.S. Congress are strongly encouraged to apply. CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS has been a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill for more than a century. CRS is well known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation's best thinking on public policy issues of interest to its Members and committees. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that ensures the Service is well positioned to anticipate and meet the information and analytical research needs of a 21st-century Congress. Public Affairs Specialist duties include: Provides detailed logistical and administrative support for assigned programs, seminars, and events, including: managing reservations and confirmations; preparing and distributing registration materials; preparing collateral event materials; coordinating the assembly of handouts and training materials; providing support to designated staff and guests; and staffing education and outreach events for CRS's congressional clients. Assists in coordinating the development of marketing, publicity, and promotional materials; drafts a variety of documents, including correspondence, memoranda, invoices, charts, graphs, promotional materials, meeting announcements, mailing lists, listserv announcements, instructional guides, information packets, forms, and other program-related materials; and markets CRS programs, seminars, events, and outreach activities. Works to maintain personal contacts with congressional clients to provide information about CRS's mission and promote the use of CRS services, and maintains collaborative work relationships with CRS employees to exchange information and to identify speakers or presenters for CRS programs. Performs logistical planning activities for a wide range of programs, seminars, webinars and events for congressional Members, committees, and staff. Assists in identification of necessary logistical requirements; scheduling and coordination of meeting places and virtual events; and making arrangements for travel, room set up, equipment assembly, food and beverage provision, audio/visual equipment, signage, security, and services for the disabled. Assists in the selection and evaluation of meeting sites; schedules events and coordinates with appropriate contacts for site and room assignments; makes pre-event inspections; plans and conducts pre-and post-event meetings; and assists in the identification and implementation of new technologies to support CRS programs, seminars, and events. Assists in the development of evaluations, both orally and in writing, of CRS programs, seminars, events, and outreach activities; compiles, maintains, and analyzes program statistics; and makes appropriate recommendations for changes to CRS programs, seminars, events, and outreach activities. The position description number for this position is 243768. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The incumbent of this position may work a flextime or compflex work schedule. The tour of duty for this position is full-time. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. Requirements Conditions of Employment Conditions of Employment Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment. Qualifications Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision. Ability to apply the basic principles, concepts, and methodologies of events planning** Ability to perform client services and outreach activities** Ability to plan and organize** Ability to present information orally Ability to communicate in writing Ability to interact collaboratively with others Ability to attend to detail Ability to solve problems and make decisions Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Education Additional Information Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade. The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see: Vetting Process This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM. The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement. Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement. The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit. Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.