The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; Join DHS.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services secures America's promise as a nation of immigrants by providing accurate and useful information to our customers, granting immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting an awareness and understanding of citizenship, and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system. Visit us here for more information.
Every day, our Public Affairs Specialists serve as the face and voice of the agency responsible for all legal immigration in the United States of America, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. They build relationships with members of the print, broadcast, and online media, sharing information concerning USCIS' programs and policies, and work to inform and educate the public about the agency.
This position of PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST starts at a salary of $62,722 GS-12 grade level, to $96,958 GS-13 grade level, with promotion potential to GS-13 grade level.
Apply for this exciting opportunity to become a member of the Office of Communications in either Washington, DC or Chicago, IL within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.
This position is not in the bargaining unit.
This position is not considered "essential" for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed.
Relocation expenses are authorized if you are a USCIS employee assigned to the Refugee, Asylum and International Operations program and have been approved for rotation from an overseas assignment. Relocation expenses for USCIS employees assigned to an OCONUS location will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Note: USCIS may fill one or more positions using this vacancy.
Summary
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; Join DHS.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services secures America's promise as a nation of immigrants by providing accurate and useful information to our customers, granting immigration and citizenship benefits, promoting an awareness and understanding of citizenship, and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system. Visit us here for more information.
Every day, our Public Affairs Specialists serve as the face and voice of the agency responsible for all legal immigration in the United States of America, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. They build relationships with members of the print, broadcast, and online media, sharing information concerning USCIS' programs and policies, and work to inform and educate the public about the agency.
This position of PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST starts at a salary of $62,722 GS-12 grade level, to $96,958 GS-13 grade level, with promotion potential to GS-13 grade level.
Apply for this exciting opportunity to become a member of the Office of Communications in either Washington, DC or Chicago, IL within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.
This position is not in the bargaining unit.
This position is not considered "essential" for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed.
Relocation expenses are authorized if you are a USCIS employee assigned to the Refugee, Asylum and International Operations program and have been approved for rotation from an overseas assignment. Relocation expenses for USCIS employees assigned to an OCONUS location will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Note: USCIS may fill one or more positions using this vacancy.
The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence, and limited complexity.
As a PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST, you will:
Respond to requests from various news media sources concerning agency operations while maintaining relationships with stakeholders, media outlets and government officials.
Develop material that informs the public of agency operations, as well as disseminate information, obtain and evaluate feedback to inform leadership of public opinion.
Provide guidance, assistance and consultation to field offices concerning agency procedures relating to responding to specific requests from the media or the general public, specialized groups and community and governmental entities using agency services.
Arrange news media visits to field locations, attend news-worthy agency events, and accompany USCIS principals during media interviews to ensure that our agency speaks with one voice, that the message is clear and that there are no misunderstandings between the media and the interview subject.
You must submit resume and supporting documentation.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
Political appointees may require OPM approval before on-boarding.
Probationary Period:You may be required to serve a probationary period of 1 year.
The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement ( 08/04/2017).
Residency Requirement: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This residency requirement states that candidates must have, for three of the last five years immediately prior to applying for this position; (1) resided in the United States; OR (2) worked for the United States Government as an employee overseas in a Federal or Military capacity, OR (3) been a dependent of a U.S. Federal or Military employee serving overseas.
Travel Requirement: Up to 25% travel may be required for field positions (positions other than Headquarters located in Washington DC). Occasional travel may be required for positions located in Washington, DC.
Notice: Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change. 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.
Qualifications
GS-12: You qualify at the GS-12 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to the GS-11 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing both of the following duties:
Writing news releases, media advisories, and other media products to specialized audiences about programs, activities and functions.
Establishing and maintaining working relationships with representatives of the media and public interest organizations.
GS-13: In Addition to the requirements at the lower grade level(s), to qualify at the GS-13 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to the GS-12 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing all of the following duties:
Writing news releases, media advisories, and other media products to specialized audiences about programs, activities and functions.
Establishing and maintaining working relationships with representatives of the media and public interest organizations.
Providing guidance, assistance and consultation to directorate and program offices concerning organizational procedures in response to requests from the media or general public.
Assisting in the preparation of policy statements attending meetings and conferences and arranging interviews with agency staff.
Evaluating the impact and effectiveness of communications plans and advising management on improvements.
Please read the following IMPORTANT information to ensure we have everything we need to consider your application.
It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience, as it relates to this job opportunity. Please be clear and specific when describing your work history as we cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will also be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions.
Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:
Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
Duties (be specific in describing your duties)
Employer's name and address
Supervisor name and phone number
Start and end dates including month, day and year (e.g. June 18 2007 to April 05 2008)
In accordance with USCIS HR policy, start dates will be calculated based on last day of that month and end dates will be calculated based on first day of that month.
Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position.
Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
Salary
Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible
Federal Experience
If you are using current or prior federal experience as a basis for qualifying for this position, the grade levels and length of employment (mm/dd/year) at each grade level must be listed in your work history. This information will be further validated if selected for this position.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience)
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 criteria 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 service. Please provide the dates and amount of time/hours worked earning this experience.
National Security Education Program (NSEP)
All active recipients of NSEP awards (like the Boren Scholarship and Fellowship and EHLS Scholarships) are eligible for non-competitive hire into federal government jobs. To find out if you are eligible, contact nsep@nsep.gov and provide them with a copy of this vacancy announcement. If you are found eligible to apply under NSEP, you must submit copies of your official transcripts and documentation from NSEP which verifies your eligibility.
Education
Educational Substitute: There is no educational substitution at these grade levels.
Additional information
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
Background Investigation
To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, this position requires completion and adjudication of a background investigation. This may include a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. The background investigation process is initiated after a selection is made. For more information visit the OPM Mythbuster Page.
SECRET clearance is needed. All selected candidates must meet the requirements for these clearances prior to placement and maintain that level of clearance while encumbering the position.
Special Hiring Authorities Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, Schedule A: You possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility and to understand the documentation that would be required with your application, click on the links above and contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. We encourage you to apply to USCIS vacancies using these special hiring authorities.
USCIS 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.
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. ?(Please do not submit an OF-306 with your application as is not required until selection).
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.
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we will place you in one of three categories based on your responses to the on-line questionnaire regarding experience, education and training.
Best Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of all evaluation criteria.
Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of the evaluation criteria.
Qualified: Applicants possessing the basic qualifications, with general knowledge, skills, and abilities.
The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:
Customer Service
Oral Communication
Problem Solving
Technical Competence
Writing
NOTE: Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. If you rated yourself higher than what is supported by your application material, you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment
If you fall into best qualified category, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the job questionnaire, click herehttps://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10031992.
CTAP and ICTAP Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles
If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible.
Information about CTAP or ICTAP eligibility can be found by clicking here to access OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 95 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.?
Veterans
Veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. Veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific, professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. This position is not considered scientific/professional. For information on veterans' preference, 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.
Your responses to the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10031992 (submitted through the on-line application process in USA Jobs. Responses DO NOT need to be attached as an additional document to your application)
Veterans: If you are applying for 5-Point Preference you must submit your DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) showing your Character of Service, i.e. Member copy 2 or 4). If you are applying for 10-point Preference you must fill out the SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If applying as a disabled veteran, submit a copy of the letter from the Veterans Administration, or other formal documentation, that clearly identifies overall rating of disability, and your DD-214. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the armed forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the closing date of the announcement. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. Click here for more veterans' information. You may request a copy of your DD-214 through the E-Benefits page.
Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit:
a copy of your agency notice,
a copy of your most recent performance rating, and
a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
NOTE: If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not eligible for CTAP/ICTAP.
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.
Your application must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 08/04/2017. To begin your online application, click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register or sign into USAJOBS, take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more detail.
We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Human Resource office listed below at least one business day prior to the closing date for instructions. Applications will not be accepted by mail.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
70 Kimball Ave
South Burlington, VT 05403
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the selecting official for further consideration and a possible interview. We will notify you by email at various stages in the process (learn more). Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a final job offer within 90 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Your responses to the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10031992 (submitted through the on-line application process in USA Jobs. Responses DO NOT need to be attached as an additional document to your application)
Veterans: If you are applying for 5-Point Preference you must submit your DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) showing your Character of Service, i.e. Member copy 2 or 4). If you are applying for 10-point Preference you must fill out the SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If applying as a disabled veteran, submit a copy of the letter from the Veterans Administration, or other formal documentation, that clearly identifies overall rating of disability, and your DD-214. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the armed forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the closing date of the announcement. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. Click here for more veterans' information. You may request a copy of your DD-214 through the E-Benefits page.
Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit:
a copy of your agency notice,
a copy of your most recent performance rating, and
a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
NOTE: If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not eligible for CTAP/ICTAP.
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.
Your application must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 08/04/2017. To begin your online application, click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register or sign into USAJOBS, take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more detail.
We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Human Resource office listed below at least one business day prior to the closing date for instructions. Applications will not be accepted by mail.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
70 Kimball Ave
South Burlington, VT 05403
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the selecting official for further consideration and a possible interview. We will notify you by email at various stages in the process (learn more). Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a final job offer within 90 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
