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Writer-Editor (Speechwriter)

Drug Enforcement Administration

Job Location:

Arlington County, VA - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 143913 - 143913

Posted: 6 October 2026 (4 days ago)

Application Deadline: 3 January 2027

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Office of the Administrator Office of Congressional and Public Affairs.

This position primary purpose is serving as the principal speechwriter for the DEA Administrator and Principal Deputy Administrator developing original speeches remarks talking points testimony support materials and presentations.

Duties

As a Writer-Editor (Speechwriter) your typical work assignments may include:

Determining dispositions of products such as which ones are to be retained as active archived or suspended from distribution by the agency.
Serving as an authority in the area of speech writing talking points and strategic communications and messaging.

Developing and maintaining agency standards governing executive speech development message coordination executive review procedures research methodologies clearance processes speech archives and quality assurance practices to ensure consistency factual accuracy and alignment with Department of Justice and Administration priorities.
Providing continuous review of the DEAs many complex and diverse programs to ensure that the agency policy is correctly depicted when presented to the public.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

U.S. Citizenship is required.
Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities visit: is subject to random drug testing.
Selectee may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period (OR 1-year OR 2-year trial period as appropriate) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest
Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Qualifications

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement.

Applicants applying for the GS-14 must meet one of the following requirements:

Have at least one full year of qualifying specialized experience that is at least equivalent in difficulty and complexity to work performed at the GS-13 grade level. Specialized 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.

Qualifying experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Executive speechwriting: Researching drafting editing finalizing various speeches press releases and other essential communications for leadership senior management press and other high-profile public audiences; 2) Research and Strategic messaging: Gathering and synthesizing information from multiple authoritative sources i.e. operational reporting intelligence assessments legislative history in order to translate complex law-enforcement national-security public-health and policy matters into clear accurate compelling messages that advance an organizations priorities and maintain consistency with department or agency positions; 3) Stakeholder collaboration: Working with senior leaders subject-matter experts public-affairs personnel attorneys policy officials and operational components to collect information reconcile competing edits and obtain necessary clearances; 4) Deadline and workflow management: Managing multiple high-priority assignments shifting requirements extensive review processes and short deadlines while maintaining accuracy and writing quality. Incorporating leadership feedback promptly advising senior officials on message clarity and effectiveness and revising communications to address changes in audience policy events or delivery circumstances; 5) Executive voice and oral delivery: Writing in the executives authentic voice and producing remarks designed for effective oral delivery including appropriate cadence timing transitions emphasis and narrative structure.

Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Managements (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

For reasonable accommodation at the Drug Enforcement Administration please contact the Human Resources office listed in this announcement.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

Current or Former Political Appointees: 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.

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible applicants to this announcement may be referred to similar positions in any Division/Office listed in this announcement. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentives may be considered and approved under conditions specified provided the agency has determined that the position is likely to be difficult to fill in the absence of an incentive and funding for such an incentive is available.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 1-year or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

your performance and conduct;
the needs and interests of the agency;
whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

If eligible situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.

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.

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.

Review our 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.

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