The Congressional Research Service (CRS) Office of the Counselor to the Director (COU) is seeking a Public Affairs Specialist to join Congressional Services Section.
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.
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 Office of the Counselor to the Director (COU) 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; Provide information to congressional clients about CRS programs, products, and services. Managing media relations, , 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. 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; coordinates clerical staff assistance preparing collateral event materials; coordinating the assembly of handouts and training materials; troubleshooting assigned program requirements; providing onsite logistics 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 developing. program checklists to ensure all requirements are met; assists in the selection and evaluation of meeting sites; schedules events and coordinates with appropriate contacts for site and room assignments; provides feedback in setting program support deadlines and ensures they are met; works with hotel, catering, and vendor contacts; contacts vendors and develops and assists in the development of contracts for services; 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 adjustment for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.