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SUPERVISORY GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Department of Agriculture
Food Safety and Inspection Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is being concurrently announced under Merit Promotion procedures on FSIS-2017-MMP-0828. Disabled Veterans, candidates with 3 or more years of active duty military service, and candidates eligible for special hiring authorities can apply to the Merit Promotion announcement if they meet criteria for the above and include supporting documents.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
08/03/2017 to 08/16/2017
Salary
$131,767 to - $161,900 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Location
Washington DC, DC
1 vacancy
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Per the needs of the Program
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation may be authorized in accordance with agency regulations and directives.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Promotion potential
15
Supervisory status
Yes
Announcement number
FSIS-2017-MCE-0830
Control number
475936700

This job is open to

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Duties

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The Director oversees the work of the Congressional and Public Affairs Staff (CPAS). The incumbent is responsible for the following:

• Ensuring coordination of information and appropriate messages and tactics to succssfully convey initiatives to stakeholders.

• Serving as an FSIS contact and spokesperson on matters directly supporting the Administrator and the Under Secretary for Food Safety.

• Establishing and maintaining close and continuous lines of communication between FSIS, Department, and other Government agencies to present information and coordinate responses to inquiries on FSIS programs, operations, legislative policies, initiatives, positions, and concerns.

• Managing multiple high-priority assignments to ensure the timely production and approval of various products, including talking points, news releases, recall releases, topical fact sheets, a newsletter to stakeholders, testimony, reports to Congress, and other communication products.

• Possessing an understanding of how external stakeholders influence and shape perception, and making plans accordingly.

• Providing administrative supervision and technical guidance to staff members to produce a sound and well-coordinated public communications and legislative liaison program, which achieves CPAS responsibilities and meets the overall goals and objectives of FSIS.

• Supervising CPAS employees, including assigning work and deadlines, providing advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters; interviewing and recommending candidates for positions, promotion, and reassignment; recommending awards and disciplinary action; hearing and resolving complaints and recommending action on grievances; assessing training needs and providing for such training.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Satisfactory completion of a background investigation & fingerprint check.
  • Subject to 1-year supervisory/managerial probation period.

•  May be subject to satisfactory completion of one year probationary or trial period.

•  Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.

•  E-Verify: Federal law requires the use of E-VERIFY to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.  If you are newly hired, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" system. Federal law requires the use of E-VERIFY to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. Under this system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.

•  If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.

• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) security clearance. Failure to successfully meet these requirements could lead to adverse action proceedings including possible termination.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including the following specialized experience and/or education, as identified below. 
 
For the GS- 15  level:  Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-14 level) that demonstrates:

• Developing, delivering and managing informational outreach to Congress, the media, stakeholders and consumers.

• Identifying and managing Congressional, media, and consumer trends or events that might affect the organization.

• Guiding the development of policy and legislative issues.

• Managing and guiding a media relations office to include documented experience as a spokesperson directly supporting a public official.

• Developing, executing and managing external communications initiatives to stakeholders and the public.

• Experience in the above areas directly related to food safety, public health or agriculture preferred.

For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here:
Administrative and Management Group Standards

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.

Additional information

• Career Transition Assistance Plan(CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP):  For information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL or ICTAP eligible see Career Transition.  To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors.  CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be related and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section.  When assess through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICATP applications must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

• This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.  

• Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDAs TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

• This position is eligible for telework and other flexible work arrangements.
Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor.

• It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. See more information at: CHCO Council.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures using category rating.  Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of two or three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified.  Within these categories, applicants eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans.  Category placement will be determined based on applicant's quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies: 

    • Communications
    • Technical Knowledge
    • Leadership
    • Planning
    • Problem Solving
Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions.  Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position.  Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from Federal service.
To view the application form, visit: https://fsis.usda.ntis.gov/cp/?event=jobs.previewApplication&jobid=D91039D5-C0BF-46EF-ADD6-A7B60074857F

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