Job Details

Public Affairs Officer

As the Public Affairs Officer, you will administer a comprehensive communications program to inform and engage the public, news media, community organizations, and other stakeholders about the work and priorities of the United States Attorney's Office. Typical work assignments will include:

• Planning, initiating, and implementing comprehensive public affairs and communications strategies to enhance public understanding of USAO initiatives, priorities, and the Department of Justice's role in advancing the rule of law and instilling public confidence in the justice system.
• Serving as the office's chief spokesperson and principal communications advisor to the United States Attorney and senior leadership on all matters involving media relations and public messaging.
• Developing and executing proactive and reactive communications strategies, including crisis communications planning, to ensure accurate, timely, and consistent information reaches the public across all channels.
• Handling privileged, sensitive, and law enforcement-sensitive information with discretion, ensuring that public communications do not compromise active investigations, ongoing prosecutions, or the privacy rights of victims, witnesses, and defendants.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with members of the local and national news media, specialized groups, community organizations, and other stakeholders interested in the office's work and initiatives.
• Producing a broad range of high-quality written communications, including press releases, public statements, speeches, talking points, op-eds, and articles for both national publications and district-level distribution.
• Managing the office's social media presence and other digital communications platforms, developing content that advances office priorities and accurately represents the office's work to diverse audiences.
• Organizing and coordinating media interviews, press conferences, and other public-facing events involving senior leadership and staff; oversees logistics and preparation for all media engagements.
• Providing expert advisory services and communications leadership to public affairs officers at federal, state, and local law enforcement partner agencies, promoting coordinated and consistent public messaging across the law enforcement community.
• Developing messaging frameworks and strategic communications initiatives that strengthen public trust in the justice system and help audiences understand the Department of Justice's mission and impact.
• Coordinating with public affairs officers at other United States Attorney's Offices on shared cases and initiatives, and maintaining close working relationships with public affairs staff at Department of Justice headquarters.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.