Communications Engagement Specialist

Communications Engagement Specialist

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Office of Justice Programs

Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance

Summary

This position serves as Communications Engagement Specialist in the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Operations Office, Communications and Governmental Affairs. This position is responsible for engaging with a variety of key BJA stakeholders using outreach strategies and tactics that include regular liaison, distribution of BJA resources, materials and information, public events and targeted campaigns.

Duties

Serves as a Communications Engagement Specialist in the Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Operations Division;

Develops, writes, edits, and regularly updates communications materials that facilitate and support the establishment and maintenance of positive relationships with BJA's key stakeholders, including state, local and tribal governments, agencies and community-based organizations; training and technical assistance providers; current grantees and prospective applicants; and key interest groups like - but not limited to - courts, corrections, law enforcement, mental health practitioners, researchers, criminal justice executives and policy makers. Collaborates with writer/editors to ensure message consistency, avoid redundancies, tailor materials to a variety of audiences and identify gaps in available resources;

Develops and implements, with input from supervisor and BJA executive leadership, BJA's stakeholder communications and outreach strategy. Builds relationships and trust with the communications staff at key stakeholder organizations. Serves as communications expert to BJA leadership and staff regarding dissemination of BJA program information and fosters interaction among BJA leadership, staff, and key stakeholders in the criminal justice field. Identifies underserved and underrepresented key audiences;

Prepares briefing packets, stakeholder messaging, speeches, talking points, slide decks and other communications materials and resources to support BJA executive leadership and program staff in their interactions with and presentations to the criminal justice field. Writes letters, memoranda, and reports related to official inquiries and public requests from key stakeholder groups that require knowledge of public information procedures and techniques, and familiarity with OJP and BJA policies, programs, and practices. Liaises with other OJP offices' staff to research, develop and/or gather information that is responsive to external requests from lawmakers, media and state, local and tribal governments;

Identifies, plans, writes, edits, gathers, and prepares resources and materials for BJA sponsored and external conferences, events, and stakeholder and grantee meetings. Provides on-site and post-event communications support.