International Radio Broadcaster (English), 1001

United States Information Agency
Bureau of Broadcasting

Individual Occupational Requirements

Education

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- journalism, communications, or other fields related to the position.

OR

Experience

General Experience (for GS-5 positions): Experience that required preparing written reports or analyses in English. Such experience must have demonstrated the ability to analyze data and summarize facts into an organized, concise, and intelligible written product.

Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Experience in writing or editing news stories/news analyses, and/or feature stories in English for a recognized news publication such as a daily newspaper or a weekly news magazine; or for a wire service such as AP, UPI, or Reuters; or for broadcast by a radio or television station. Such experience must have clearly demonstrated the ability to (1) understand and write about domestic and international affairs, (2) write for audiences of varying backgrounds and interests, (3) write under deadline pressure, and (4) exercise sound and independent judgment. Experience that demonstrated the ability to write broadcast quality news is also required for newswriter positions. Writing/editing experience that was not specifically for news reporting/analysis and/or feature stories is not creditable as specialized experience, although such work may be qualifying as general experience. Examples of work that is not creditable as specialized experience include writing/editing technical or academic papers and reports, preparing promotional copy or press releases, writing/editing works of fiction, or composing corporate or community newsletters.

Testing Provisions

The Bureau of Broadcasting requires all applicants (both for competitive appointment and inservice placement) for newswriter positions at grades GS-12 and below to take and pass a newswriter test. Applicants may also be required to take a voice audition as a condition of employment. Applicants for feature writer positions at grades GS-12 and below may also be required to take and pass a feature writer test.