Summary
This vacancy is for a
Visual Information Specialist position in the Associate Director for Communications located at the
U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in
Suitland, Maryland. The Census Bureau is accessible from the Metro Rail Green Line - Suitland Station.
This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other
Visual Information Specialist, 1084-9/11/12, FPL GS-12 positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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- Designs and creates economic and statistical content for accuracy, clarity, and accessibility for multiple audiences.
- Creates materials including graphics, flyers, social media graphics charts, tables, and visuals for different platforms according to related policies and standards.
- Ensures content and format are appropriate for target audience.
- Collaborates to create and improve content, following best practices, working on multiple projects and meeting deadlines.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
- Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
- U.S. Citizen.
- Suitable for Federal employment.
- Registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
- Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by closing date.
- A one-year probationary period may be required.
- This is a BARGAINING unit position.
- This position may be covered by one or more of the following bargaining units: American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2782(HQ) or AFGE Local 1438(DN). If you have specific questions, please contact the HR Specialist.
- A USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours (2 days) from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment.
Qualifications
This vacancy is advertised under 2 different announcements. Read the 'Who May Apply' section carefully to determine your eligibility. If you are not eligible under this announcement, please see: 26-ADCOM-12986811-DE-TC
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum Education Requirement: Undergraduate or Graduate Education: Major study commercial art, fine arts, art history, industrial design, architecture, drafting, interior design, photography, visual communication, or other field related to the position.
OR
Specialized Experience: 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 art work, charts, diagrams, dioramas, maps, slides, overlays, and other kinds of visual material for use in communicating information through visual means.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
FOR THE GS-09: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the
GS-07 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: assisting in the development of visual communication products; using design software; Applying branding, formatting, or style guidelines; preparing design files for review; AND supporting multiple design projects.
OR
Education: 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of specialized experience and graduate-level education that, when combined, meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used in combination. Applicants qualifying based on education must submit transcripts.
FOR THE GS-11: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the
GS-09 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: developing graphic materials for a variety of platforms; using professional design tools; Translating complex or data-heavy information; applying visual information techniques; AND managing multiple design projects simultaneously.
OR
Education: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of specialized experience and graduate-level education that, when combined, meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used in combination. Applicants qualifying based on education must submit transcripts.???????
FOR THE GS-12: You must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the
GS-11 in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: designing and producing high-visibility visual communication products; accurately depicting complex statistical or economic concepts; leading or coordinating design projects; providing technical guidance or informal leadership; ensuring compliance with accessibility requirements; AND working directly with internal clients and program areas.
OR
Education: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.
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.
After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement, 08/05/2026, to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.
Additional information
Applicants who apply under this Job Opportunity Announcement may opt-in (at their request) to allow the sharing of their resume, and other associated documents with other Department of Commerce (DOC) Bureaus/Offices who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade and pay band (or its equivalent), and full performance level in the same duty location or commuting area of the duty location listed on the Job Opportunity Announcement.
Additionally, the following link provides information on the hiring authority that may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
The Department of Commerce also provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users can contact the Human Resources Office via the Federal Relay Service, 1-800-877-8339.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.