Communications Director

The Department of Energy's (DOE) overarching mission is to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the U.S. through scientific and technological innovation and the environmental cleanup of the national nuclear weapons complex.

The DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), has as its primary mission an investment in clean energy technologies that strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and reduce dependence on foreign oil. The mission of the office is to provide strategic communications and outreach leadership and support for the EERE.

The EERE operates in a multi-faceted, fast paced environment and interacts with a range of internal and external stakeholders on complex and cross-cutting activities. The office promotes energy awareness, delivers information on EERE's mission and achievements, and conducts outreach efforts through working with media, industry, federal departments and offices, state and local governments, educational institutions, and non-governmental organizations.

The EERE uses a wide variety of communications strategies, tactics, and channels to educate stakeholders and the public on clean energy solutions, including news updates, interactive digital tools, print products, exhibits and events, speeches and presentations, responses to public inquiries, and other means, and also utilizes a range of analytics. 

Position Overview: 

The ERRE is seeking a motivated and highly-qualified candidate for an exciting full-time permanent Communications Director within the Strategic Programs Office.

With DOE you'll have the flexibility and freedom to explore a world of possibilities through a wealth of exciting and challenging career opportunities. By joining DOE, you can hone your career skills while helping to secure the U.S. future and make a real difference in the lives of Americans and people around the world.

Responsibilities:

• Direct a large portfolio of EERE corporate communications activities that provide information about EERE's mission, message, and achievements to targeted audiences and general public. This includes media relations, executive communications, public awareness campaigns, EERE achievements, digital and social media presence, website management, multimedia and video products, events, public outreach materials and fact sheets, exhibits, public inquiries, and other areas. 
• Work within the Department, other Federal agencies, the media, industry, state and local governments, educational institutions, and non-governmental organizations to produce and disseminate high-quality and timely information. 
• Create and revise strategic messaging plans and implement those plans across multiple EERE technology and functional offices. Specifically, develops and executes strategies to communicate key information on EERE related milestones, strategic plans, technology developments, events, etc., relevant to the public. 
• Ensures EERE continuously and actively engages with and through various media, including but not limited to senior official engagement with the media and public, online, social, and instant media (e.g., Twitter), print and broadcast media, state and local media, events and DOE and EERE websites.
• Manage an office that proactively engages with media outlets, online communities and other channels to disseminate information on EERE's work as well as responds to media inquiries. 
• Publicizes EERE-funded technologies and achievements to targeted audiences and general public. Educates targeted audiences and general public about clean energy technologies and energy efficiency. Oversee process for drafting, editing, and finalizing press releases, blog posts, reports and other public communications.
• Manage and oversee design, architecture, and overall content of the EERE web enterprise and digital communications tools, including EERE's corporate website and a broad range of consumer and other content on the energy.gov site to ensure it is easily distributable, well-structured, and high-quality. Governs the content that EERE delivers through these channels to ensure that different audiences and stakeholders can access comprehensive information easily in order to help make informed energy choices.
• Coordinate and collaborate closely with EERE and DOE senior officials, and senior officials in DOE Offices of the Secretary; Public Affairs; Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs; and Public Engagement.
• Analyze and communicate the impacts of communications initiatives to EERE staff and organizations, in particular through using a range of analytical tools to evaluate EERE's online and media presence. Provides options for increasing program effectiveness.
• Leverage public communication assets and conducts outreach to raise public energy awareness, including creating or reviewing all EERE outreach materials, and ensuring EERE participation in high-impact outreach events.
• Execute EERE's public correspondence management function, which includes responding to public and, in coordination with Legislative Affairs staff, congressional inquiries to the Department that are related to energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.. This includes fulfilling orders for EERE publications, CDs, and analytic tools as well as mailed letters, calls directly to the Department on EERE subjects, and requests through web information inquiries.
• Provide regular communications guidance to EERE technology programs and offices to ensure quality communications products and the appropriate application of federal requirements. Provides information and design quality assurance for all EERE corporate communications materials, and leads internal communications activities for EERE.
• Oversee the day-to-day activities of the Office, including supervising and mentoring the Communications staff. 

Qualifications:

Specialized Experience:

You must demonstrate in your resume at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower-grade level (GS-14) in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector. (Specialized experience is defined as experience directing and/or managing the communication of the mission, visions, and accomplishments of an organization to various audiences and the public.)

Examples of qualifying experience include:

• Working as a communications director, press secretary, external or public affairs director, or in a similar capacity. 
• Establishing and maintaining a continuous working relationship with the media, stakeholder communicators, legislative communicators, and other external organizations. 
• Providing strategic communications guidance to senior officials, gathering pertinent information, and closely coordinating media and/or public events and interviews, functioning as a conduit between entities for the exchange of information concerning development of public affairs activities.
• Directing product development and execution, e.g., speeches, statements, news releases, media advisories, letters to the editor, video scripts, fact sheets, online content and/or presence, and articles for publications. 
• Facilitating internal communications across the organization to include management news, key accomplishments and reporting of strategic communications results, and providing executive communications guidance across organizational units to ensure consistency and effectiveness. 

Additional Requirements:

Your resume must demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs/Competencies) (NOTE: Applicants need not prepare a written responses to these KSAs/competencies, unless asked in the online application.)

The successful candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge and skill sufficient to develop, implement and manage strategic messaging plans in a supervisory capacity supporting multiple energy technology deployment and implementation programs.
• Knowledge of budget planning and financial management methods.
• Skill in information management techniques and processes to coordinate information technology activities.
• Ability to plan and evaluate complex business operational issues and recommend alternative courses of action.
• Skill evaluating and modifying processes to enhance customer service and meet customer's needs.
• Ability to evaluate technology and implement enhancements or adjustments to improve processes.
• Skill in making oral and written communications to a diverse audience in a variety of settings.
• You must meet all of the qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Although a degree is not required, your educational background will be strongly considered in the evaluation of your overall qualifications for this position. Supporting documentation of your education and training is appreciated, even though not required for this position. Please fax all supporting documents in accordance with the instructions provided under Required Documents in the "How to Apply" section.
 
Compensation: $123,758 to $155,500 annually.

To Apply:

Please click on the link below to apply online.

This vacancy is being concurrently advertised with EEGO-13-MP-5-IT-00334 for "Federal employees with competitive status." You must apply to the vacancy for which you wish to receive consideration. Applicants who wish to be considered for both must apply to both.

Application process must be completed on line no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on or before 10/22/12. Submit your completed application which includes your resume, your reposnses to all online assessment questions, and all required supplemental documents in order to be considered.