$74,849 TO $121,694 (CL 28) *; SAN FRANCISCO

Are you passionate about providing informative, thoughtful communications? The Office of the Circuit Executive, United States Courts for the Ninth Circuit, is seeking a talented Communication Specialist to join our team.

ABOUT THE OFFICE

The Office of the Circuit Executive (OCE) provides administrative support to the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit and its various committees, and consulting services to all the judicial units in the Circuit. It is the largest federal circuit in the country, comprising nine western states and two territories.  The Office serves the Court of Appeals as well as the District Courts, Bankruptcy Courts, Probation and Pretrial Offices, and Federal Public Defenders.

The OCE was created by statute to provide professional administrative staffing to circuit councils, which are composed primarily of judges engaged full-time in deciding cases.  The OCE provides administrative support to the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit and its various committees.  It also provides direct services to all the judicial court units in the Circuit.  All OCE responsibilities flow from directives of the Judicial Council or the Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit.  The OCE is organized around the Council's core functions.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Public Information, Conference and Education unit manages media relations, community outreach, and print and digital publications for the United States Courts for the Ninth Circuit, including the Ninth Circuit Annual Report, intranet and Internet websites, judicial education programs, and the annual Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. The position is in the Office of the Circuit Executive (OCE) which provides administrative support to the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit and its various committees, and consulting services to all the judicial court units in the Circuit.

The Communications Specialist will be responsible for content creation, develop communication strategies using print and social media platforms, write news stories, fact sheets and other similar written communications to promote the work of the Circuit's committees and projects. The Communications Specialist also will support news media response through research, internal coordination and maintain a high level of diplomacy and confidentiality. 

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

MEDIA RELATIONS

Responds to media inquiries, plans and schedules press conferences and press briefings; advises circuit, district, and bankruptcy courts and individual judges on the management of specific or difficult media inquiries and high-profile trials; and plans, designs, and develops media relations training for judges, key court staff, and media representatives as needed.

• Responds to media calls that require research, conferring with supervisors, the clerk of court or others. 
• One of the most common media inquiries focuses on judicial vacancies and how many active and senior judges are part of the Ninth Circuit at any given time. This information is tracked and updated regularly on the public website.
• News articles, press releases, obituaries and announcements are written, approved, and disseminated to the media and posted on the public website.

PUBLICATIONS

Oversees content development of the circuit's annual report and other publications; assists with publication of studies and committee reports; develops newsletters, exhibits, pamphlets, brochures and other materials for the circuit, court of appeals and, on request, individual district and bankruptcy courts and court units; and manages OCE-sponsored intranet and Internet websites.

CONTENT CREATION

• The Communications Specialist will craft positive stories about the work of the Ninth Circuit to pitch to journalists. These stories can also pique journalists' interest on their own, like a press release about findings in a study about court issues or an activity involving the courts and the community. The Communications Specialist will collaborate with team members who write press materials, articles for news outlets, and produce videos. There will be collaboration on format and delivery, script writing and production.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The Communications Specialist will develop content for social media promoting a positive public image about the work of the federal courts in the nine states and 15 districts comprising the Ninth Circuit. Works with the Public Information Community Outreach Committee in planning media conferences, outreach activities, and the Ninth Circuit Civics Contest.

Gathers and disseminates information related to court community outreach efforts in the circuit; promotes community outreach programs undertaken by district courts; provides staffing to circuit committee on community outreach; acts as liaison to the national Community Outreach Coordinator; and works with district courts to develop materials as requested.

SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR

Serves as staff to sensitive, high-profile special projects, such as the Ad Hoc Committee on Cameras in the Courtroom.

COMMITTEES

•          Public Information and Community Outreach (PICO)

•             Ad Hoc Committee on Cameras in the Courtroom

WEBSITES:  The public website (https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov) is a shared website of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Office of the Circuit Executive. In collaboration with the Internet Administrator, our unit collaborates with the Court of Appeals to update the website, content, and layouts.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• The ideal candidate must have a BS/BA degree in journalism, communications, or marketing with at least five years of progressively responsible communications experience. Master's degree preferred.
• Knowledge of AP style, preferably as a news reporter, in a public relations agency, or public affairs.
• Related experience in a professional services firm or marketing legal services may be considered including demonstrated experience in assisting with the development of communications materials and social media/web content.
• The candidate must be able to establish and maintain effective relationships with judges, court leadership and executives, and the media.
• Experience in or working knowledge of the judiciary is preferred.

TOTAL REWARDS AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Salary*: $74,849 to $121,694 (CL 28), depending on qualifications and experience. 

Time off: 10 paid holidays, 13 vacation days, and 13 sick leave days per year. After three years, vacation days accrue at a higher rate.

Benefits:

• Federal pension plan and optional employer-matching Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K).
• Choice of a variety of employer-subsidized federal health and life insurance plans. Optional dental, vision, and long-term care coverage.
• Flexible spending account to pay out-of-pocket health and dependent care expenses with tax-free dollars.

Other Perks: Telework opportunities; eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program; public transit subsidy; alternate work schedules; reasonable work hours; on-site gym and café.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a single PDF application packet through the Career Portal that includes: 1) cover letter detailing your qualifications and experience performing the representative duties, and 2) current resume. Only applications with a cover letter and resume will be considered.

NEXT STEPS

Initial application review deadline: MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2020.

If selected for an interview, tentative interview dates include: WEEK OF JUNE 8, 2020.

Video conference interviews available.

Position open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in the process of applying for citizenship. Successful applicants are provisionally hired pending results of background investigation and fingerprinting. Positions with the U.S. Courts are at-will, excepted service appointments, and may be terminated with or without cause by the Court. Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Direct deposit of pay required.  Ability to work from home required.

The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, for any reason including, but not limited to, budgetary issues. Said modifications may occur without prior written or other notice.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER