Visual Information Specialist_

Summary Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade, Office of the Executive Assistant Commissioner, located in Washington, DC. This announcement has been amended on 8/8/2024 to extend the closing date to 8/19/2024. Responsibilities CBP Office of Trade is the architect of the most robust customs system in the world and the second largest revenue source for the U.S. Government. We facilitate legitimate trade, enforce U.S. laws, and protect the American economy as well as consumer health and safety. Collaborating with industry and government partners, we create a fair, competitive, and safe trade environment, and we enforce U.S. trade law to protect national economic security. Our expertise in the trade community allows us to lead the development of streamlined and efficient processes that provide certainty for legitimate importers, while combatting transnational crime. This position starts at a salary of $99,200.00 (GS-12, Step 1) to $153,354.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $153,354 (GS-13 Step 10). The primary purpose of this position is to develop original designs, concepts, and visual styles for Office of Trade and CBP through publications, exhibits, presentations, and websites using various software design programs to deliver the intended message for multiple audiences and/or that reduce the cost of production, installation, or maintenance of a broad inventory of visual products. Major duties may include, but are not limited to: Designing and producing visual multimedia products, including; still and motion graphics, video productions, still photography, and projects incorporating all or some of these elements for use in a broad spectrum of marketing and communication products, to include (but not be limited to) video productions, websites, printed materials, and multimedia productions. Determining and developing comprehensive and coherent visual information plans, in concert with strategic communication plans, for client projects, including identifying requirements, objectives, format, style and medium to best meet communication goals. Liaising with clients to discuss program requirements and solutions for visual information and program requirements; evaluating solutions and recommending adoption or alternatives to meet client needs; and advising clients on full spectrum of visual information and multimedia distribution platforms, including print, web, broadcast, and social media; assisting in selecting specific visual material that should be utilized on each platform to reach identified audiences. Researching and proposing emerging visual information products to clients to achieve their communication objectives, including persuading clients to embrace nontraditional visual information products to achieve project goals. Conducting research and coordinating with counterparts within DHS component agencies, other federal agencies, and private sector organizations in order to generate creative concepts for and to produce superior visual products. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below) You may be required to pass a background investigation CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link. DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities. Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions - NTEU. For local chapter contact information see Chapter Websites - National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU. This vacancy has a local commuting area requirement, as defined below: The area surrounding the duty station by which people reasonably travel back and forth from home to work; Or The employee's permanent duty station is located within the reasonable travel area surrounding the duty station of this vacancy; Or if applicable For employees who are detailed or temporarily promoted for more than 1 year to another duty location, the detailed or temporary duty location is considered to be the duty location of record for commuting area purposes. For employees detailed or temporarily promoted for less than one year, the permanent duty location is considered the duty location of record for commuting area purposes. Qualifications This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement: Applicants who meet the Individual Occupational Requirements described below are fully qualified for the specified entry grade and must also meet the specialized experience and/or education requirements. Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- commercial art, fine arts, art history, industrial design, architecture, drafting, interior design, photography, visual communication, or other fields related to the position. Some positions may also require subject-matter knowledge of medicine, science, or technical equipment. Advanced training in a vocational school, technical institute, or art institute above the high school level in one of the fields listed above is creditable as general experience on a month-for-month basis. OR Specialized Experience: One-year experience in the actual type of work for which application is made. Unpaid experience is creditable, provided the work done was of a quality level and demonstrated the ability required for the position. This includes planning the preparation and use of photographs, illustrations, drawings, and other artwork, charts, diagrams, dioramas, maps, slides, overlays, and other kinds of visual material for use in communicating information through visual means. In addition to meeting the above Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) AND Time-In-Grade Requirement, applicants must also meet the following specialized experience of the position. Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Planning and coordinating video pre-production, production and post-production activities; conducting field-based video production involving interaction with clients and operation of all portable video and audio equipment; transporting and setting up lighting and audio equipment as required; providing limited troubleshooting and maintenance of field production equipment. Consulting with designated program officials on the objectives of the video or graphic and its intended audiences. Designing videos, infographics, handouts, charts, graphs, maps, digital photographs, and web pages for display or reproduction purposes. Utilizing video editing software (Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro and After Effects), graphic design software (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), hardware (cameras, computers, scanners, etc.), and other tools in order to produce visual products which are informative and eye-catching. Creating motion graphic productions and incorporating 3D elements. Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Overseeing the planning and coordination of pre-production, production and post-production activities; conducting field-based video production involving interaction with clients and operation of all portable video and audio equipment. Providing authoritative advice in coordinating the design and development of video, multimedia and print publishing products. Consulting with subject matter experts and leadership to interpret business needs, understand objectives, and intended audiences. Participating in critical, mission-essential projects which require exceptional support via visual products. Preparing professional visual products for use in reports, social media, decision papers, web pages, implementation documents, summaries, reviews, and analyses, etc. Utilizing video editing software (Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro and After Effects), graphic design software (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), hardware (cameras, computers, scanners, etc.), and other tools in order to produce visual products which are informative and eye-catching. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You must: Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 08/19/2024. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information, review the following links: Background investigation and the e-QIP process. Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period. Education Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position. Additional Information Additional Hiring and Special Appointing Authorities: See "THIS JOB IS OPEN TO" section above for what additional Appointing Authorities may apply. Veterans, military spouses, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and people with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility and to understand what documentation would be required with your application, please click on the appropriate link below. You must provide documentation supporting your eligibility prior to the closing date of this announcement. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please contact the CBP Hiring Center via the contact information listed at the end of this job opportunity announcement. Veterans Military spouses Effective until December 31, 2028, any spouse of a member on active duty may be eligible Individuals with Disabilities The proof of disability documentation must specify that you are eligible to apply using Schedule A. It does NOT need to detail your specific disability, medical history or need for accommodation. For more information visit this link. Peace Corps and VISTA Land Management Hiring Flexibility Act: The following documents are required at the time of application: SF-50s to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility requirements and the most recent performance rating signed by your supervisor or a statement from your supervisor documenting acceptable performance. Other miscellaneous hiring authorities Promotion Potential: Positions with known promotion potential do not guarantee promotion, nor is the promise of promotion implied. Telework: Telework may be available on a regular recurring or situational basis. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.