Position is being advertised concurrently under BR-WO-2017-039 for all US Citizens and Nationals. If you are interested in applying under both announcement numbers, you must submit application packages for each.
Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on his/her expertise as a Public Affairs Specialist. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.
Would you enjoy assisting the Public Affairs Office with the management of the public affairs program, including supporting the formulation and articulation of policy and the execution of media relations, audiovisual, and publications programs? Responsibilities include supporting effective communication of Bureau policies through talking points, news releases, social media outlets and other communications tools.
Here is a great opportunity to join a great organization with excellent growth potential!
You can progress from $54K to $79K in 3 years! Year 1 - $54,972 (GS-9), Year 2 - $66,510 (GS-11), and Year 3 - $79,720 (GS-12). Promotions to the next grade/salary level are neither guaranteed nor automatic, but based on supervisor initiation.
LOCATION: Public Affairs Group; Office of External and Intergovernmental Affairs in Washington, DC.
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
Summary
Position is being advertised concurrently under BR-WO-2017-039 for all US Citizens and Nationals. If you are interested in applying under both announcement numbers, you must submit application packages for each.
Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on his/her expertise as a Public Affairs Specialist. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.
Would you enjoy assisting the Public Affairs Office with the management of the public affairs program, including supporting the formulation and articulation of policy and the execution of media relations, audiovisual, and publications programs? Responsibilities include supporting effective communication of Bureau policies through talking points, news releases, social media outlets and other communications tools.
Here is a great opportunity to join a great organization with excellent growth potential!
You can progress from $54K to $79K in 3 years! Year 1 - $54,972 (GS-9), Year 2 - $66,510 (GS-11), and Year 3 - $79,720 (GS-12). Promotions to the next grade/salary level are neither guaranteed nor automatic, but based on supervisor initiation.
LOCATION: Public Affairs Group; Office of External and Intergovernmental Affairs in Washington, DC.
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
This position functions as a Public Affairs Specialist.
- Responsible for producing information materials that inform Congress, stakeholders, Federal, state and local agencies, and the general public about Reclamation's mission.
- Writes, edits and reviews news releases, issue papers, letters, brochures and other materials.
- Responds to inquiries from news media and coordinates media interviews.
Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation;
You must submit a resume and supporting documentation; (See How to Apply)
You must meet specialized experience requirements; (See Qualifications)
Submit transcript(s) to verify education.
You must meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade restrictions, by the closing date of this announcement.
TIME-IN-GRADE: Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b).
Qualifications
DEFINITION OF SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: To meet specialized experience, your resume must describe experience that demonstrates the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities as follows:
GS-09: One year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Government. Specialized experience includes assisting in the execution of communications campaigns to convey information to an organization’s internal or external audiences; establishing effective working relationships with senior managers and subject matter experts to ensure an agency’s mission, goals and activities are clearly communicated; assisting in writing drafts of news releases, talking points, speeches, blog posts or other content for media or the public; assisting in planning and executing special events; and using digital communications tools. Professional public affairs work experience includes verbally communicating, writing clearly and concisely, translating written public affairs content and interpreting oral communication.
GS-11: One year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal Government. Specialized experience includes assisting in the planning, executing or evaluating of communications campaigns to convey information to an organization’s internal or external audiences; establishing effective working relationships with senior managers and subject matter experts to ensure an agency’s mission, goals and activities are clearly communicated; writing news releases, talking points, speeches, blog posts or other content for media or the public; planning and executing special events; and using digital communications tools. Professional public affairs work experience includes verbally communicating, writing clearly and concisely, translating written public affairs content and interpreting oral communication.
GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Government. Specialized experience includes planning, executing or evaluating communications campaigns to convey information to an organization’s internal or external audiences; establishing effective working relationships with media, senior managers and subject matter experts to ensure an agency’s mission, goals and activities are clearly communicated; writing news releases, talking points, speeches, blog and/or social media posts or other content for media or the public; planning and executing special events; using digital communications tools; assisting with providing senior leadership and staff media training. Professional public affairs work experience includes verbally communicating, writing clearly and concisely, translating written public affairs content and interpreting oral communication.
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Applicants may also qualify on the basis of education as follows:
GS-9: master's or equivalent graduate degree
or
2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.
GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
or
3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.
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.
Education
This vacancy announcement allows substituting education for experience at the GS-9 or GS-11 levels. You must submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable) to support your education if you are substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include the name of the college or university and date the degree was conferred.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, applicants must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs.
Additional information
--The Bureau of Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
--Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. For more information visit: http://www.sss.gov
--This position requires a successfully adjudicated Low-Risk SF-85 background investigation and is a condition of employment.
--Equal Employment Opportunity: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability and genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Human Resources (HR) will review resumes and transcript(s) if applicable, to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided in the assessment questionnaire. The assessment questionnaire will take approximately 25 minutes to complete. Applicants determined best qualified will be referred to the selecting official.
Applicants will be further evaluated on the following “Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)” through your resume and responses to the online questions:
1. Skill in developing and writing a variety of materials including articles, news releases, speeches, communication plans and strategies, and memoranda with limited information.
2. Knowledge and skill for speaking to groups in explaining Reclamation's programs and mission.
3. Skill in conducting news media visits, press conferences, and public and news media tours to develop intercommunication between Reclamation and the public.
Applicants must make a fair and accurate assessment of their qualifications. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is apparent in your description of experience, competencies, skills, and/or education/training OR that your resume/application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible or your score may be lowered. To preview questions please click here.
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.
To be considered for this position, applicants are required to submit a resume (with dates of employment, i.e. years and months, schedule, i.e. hours worked, and grade if federal employment), an on-line assessment questionnaire, and the following supporting documents, as appropriate:
--SF-50, NOTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ACTION: Status applicants (transfer, reassignment, reinstatement, promotion, etc.) MUST submit a copy of their SF-50s), verifying all of the following: highest rate of pay held, the full performance grade level obtained or competed for, and documentation of your current career or career-conditional status in the competitive service (Tenure 1 or 2) for which you are claiming eligibility. This could result in more than one SF-50 to be submitted. DO NOT SUBMIT AWARD SF-50s. FAILURE TO SUBMIT AN SF-50 VERIFYING STATUS WILL RESULT IN THE APPLICANT NOT BEING CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.
--For candidates eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) you must submit the appropriate DD-214 (Member 4 Copy) documenting your eligibility.
CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP-ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified, i.e. meet the minimum qualification requirements, including selective factors, education and experience requirements and score at least 20 on the assessment questionnaire as established, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP/ICTAP, visit: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.
--TRANSCRIPT(S): All applicants MUST furnish a copy of your college transcript(s), if applicable. If selected, you will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify your educational qualifications prior to reporting for work.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Applications (resume and assessment questionnaire) for this vacancy MUST be received online BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington D.C. time) on the closing date of this announcement. When you're ready to apply, click the blue APPLY ONLINE button at the side of the page.
This vacancy is being announced through Bureau of Reclamation's Hiring System--HireMe. For more information about the HireMe system and the registration process, visit: http://www.usbr.gov/hr/hireme.html
As part of the on-line application process, applicants may be required to submit supporting documents. Failure to submit the requested supporting documents may result in your not being considered for this position.
Options for submitting supporting documentation include Auto Requested Fax or uploading from your USAJOBS profile - instructions provided during the online application process. In addition, you may E-mail your supporting documentation to CODO@usbr.gov, fax directly to the HR Office at 303-445-6349, mail to PO Box 25007, Denver, CO 80225-0007 -or- Hand-deliver to Denver Federal Center, Building 67, Room 348, Denver, Colorado. Include your name and the vacancy number on the supporting document(s).
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at the phone number shown at the bottom of this page. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
P.O. Box 25007
DFC, Bldg. 67
Attn: 84-52200
Denver, Colorado 80225-0007
United States
Next steps
After all application packages have been received, resumes and transcripts will be reviewed to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. Each applicant who meets the basic qualifications will be further evaluated on the information provided in the Assessment Questionnaire. Best-qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official. After making a tentative job offer, a suitability and/or security background investigation will be conducted. A final job offer is typically made within 40 days after the deadline for applications. Applicants should monitor their status for positions with the Bureau of Reclamation, by regularly checking their public status notifications in their USAJOBS profile.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To be considered for this position, applicants are required to submit a resume (with dates of employment, i.e. years and months, schedule, i.e. hours worked, and grade if federal employment), an on-line assessment questionnaire, and the following supporting documents, as appropriate:
--SF-50, NOTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ACTION: Status applicants (transfer, reassignment, reinstatement, promotion, etc.) MUST submit a copy of their SF-50s), verifying all of the following: highest rate of pay held, the full performance grade level obtained or competed for, and documentation of your current career or career-conditional status in the competitive service (Tenure 1 or 2) for which you are claiming eligibility. This could result in more than one SF-50 to be submitted. DO NOT SUBMIT AWARD SF-50s. FAILURE TO SUBMIT AN SF-50 VERIFYING STATUS WILL RESULT IN THE APPLICANT NOT BEING CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.
--For candidates eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) you must submit the appropriate DD-214 (Member 4 Copy) documenting your eligibility.
CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP-ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified, i.e. meet the minimum qualification requirements, including selective factors, education and experience requirements and score at least 20 on the assessment questionnaire as established, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP/ICTAP, visit: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.
--TRANSCRIPT(S): All applicants MUST furnish a copy of your college transcript(s), if applicable. If selected, you will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify your educational qualifications prior to reporting for work.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Applications (resume and assessment questionnaire) for this vacancy MUST be received online BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington D.C. time) on the closing date of this announcement. When you're ready to apply, click the blue APPLY ONLINE button at the side of the page.
This vacancy is being announced through Bureau of Reclamation's Hiring System--HireMe. For more information about the HireMe system and the registration process, visit: http://www.usbr.gov/hr/hireme.html
As part of the on-line application process, applicants may be required to submit supporting documents. Failure to submit the requested supporting documents may result in your not being considered for this position.
Options for submitting supporting documentation include Auto Requested Fax or uploading from your USAJOBS profile - instructions provided during the online application process. In addition, you may E-mail your supporting documentation to CODO@usbr.gov, fax directly to the HR Office at 303-445-6349, mail to PO Box 25007, Denver, CO 80225-0007 -or- Hand-deliver to Denver Federal Center, Building 67, Room 348, Denver, Colorado. Include your name and the vacancy number on the supporting document(s).
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at the phone number shown at the bottom of this page. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
P.O. Box 25007
DFC, Bldg. 67
Attn: 84-52200
Denver, Colorado 80225-0007
United States
Next steps
After all application packages have been received, resumes and transcripts will be reviewed to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. Each applicant who meets the basic qualifications will be further evaluated on the information provided in the Assessment Questionnaire. Best-qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official. After making a tentative job offer, a suitability and/or security background investigation will be conducted. A final job offer is typically made within 40 days after the deadline for applications. Applicants should monitor their status for positions with the Bureau of Reclamation, by regularly checking their public status notifications in their USAJOBS profile.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
