Visual Information Specialist

Description:

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Operations Support, Office of Intelligence, Policy, Planning, and Programs Division, located in Washington, D.C.

Requirements:

Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks:

• Developing original designs, concepts, and visual styles for the Office of Intelligence and CBP Intelligence Enterprise (IE) through publications, exhibits, presentations, and websites using various software design programs such Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Applying skills in a variety of visual arts methods, techniques, and materials to develop original designs, concepts, or visual styles for publications, exhibits, or presentation materials.
• Using a variety of technical equipment for graphic art production, visual information design, publication design, SharePoint design, and printing, employee completes handouts, charts, graphs, digital photographs, and web pages for display or reproduction purposes.

Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks:

• Communicating visual information requirements to others and coordinating the work of various visual product projects with illustrators, writers, editors, or contract personnel involved in developing the visual products.
• Reviewing final visual products submitted by contractor or junior governmental personnel for acceptance or rejection.
• Having knowledge of intelligence-related concepts, visual materials, and publications; and to develop and implement technical artistic and customer service standards for depicting intelligence graphics.

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 03/11/2025.

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 on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

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.