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Public Affairs Specialist

Selective Service System
Public Affairs Directorate
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Join the Selective Service System's team of energetic, career-minded professionals! The Selective Service System offers an opportunity for motivated individuals with excellent interpersonal skills and a strong work ethic to launch or continue a career in public service.

Our fast-paced environment consists of challenging and rewarding work, training opportunities, and the potential for advancement. The Selective Service System offers competitive wages, the Thrift Savings Plan with matching funds (similar to a 401k savings program), extensive health care benefits (dental and vision coverage available), paid vacation time, and a host of unique work-life benefit options that include telework options as well as alternate and flexible work schedules for most positions.

The Selective Service System is an independent agency whose mission is to (1) maintain a system that can promptly and efficiently furnish untrained manpower for induction into the Armed Forces during a national emergency and (2) provide an Alternative Service Program to men classified as conscientious objectors during a draft.

This position is part of the National Headquarters OD PIA, Selective Service System. The incumbent will be responsible for This position is part of the National Headquarters OD PIA, Selective Service System The incumbent will be responsible for planning, producing, executing, reviewing, and evaluating public affairs policies, campaigns, and information programs to communicate Selective Service history, missions, roles, and requirements to a variety of external and internal audiences. The Directorate serves as liaison to state and local governments that do business with SSS.

Additionally, the Directorate manages the records, publications, and forms overall responsibilities for the agency, which embraces all policies and procedures for the management and control of records not associated with a registrant processing. Incumbent performs assignments in support of the establishment and maintenance of mutual communications between SSS and other federal agencies and the general public and developing informational materials regarding SSS programs.

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement..

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
12/22/2017 to 03/26/2018
Salary
$44,941 to - $86,460 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7 - 11
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Arlington, VA
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Term - 4 Years
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Announcement number
DE-10103021-18-PM
Control number
487349100

This job is open to

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Duties

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As a Public Affairs Specialist at the GS-1035-7/9/11 ,some of your typical work assignments may include under supervision:

  • Planning, producing, executing, reviewing, and evaluating public affairs policies, campaigns, and information programs to communicate Selective Service history, missions, roles, and requirements to a variety of external and internal audiences. The Directorate serves as liaison to state and local governments that do business with SSS.
  • Establishes the need for information materials to support Agency programs; uses a variety of methods and techniques in achieving communication goals; and provides news releases, feature articles, speeches, fact sheets, background papers, public services announcements, website content, etc., to Region Headquarters and National Headquarters offices.
  • Writes, edits, and contributes to the Agency's newsletters, materials, and publications, including planning and writing many of the articles/narratives, editing and organizing submissions, and providing appropriate photography/visuals. In coordination with senior staff members and a graphic designer, finalizes editing and prepares materials for publication.
  • Responsible for production elements of the Agency's Annual Report to Congress. Monitors staff coordination and edits agency-wide submissions. Works with graphic designer to lay-out the report, choosing graphics, typography, and photography for the report. Assists in the oversight of aspects of the production process.
  • Serves as an Agency point of contact for the public. Deals effectively with media contacts. Communicates with the public on Agency issues. Prepares articles and information for public dissemination.
  • Coordinates with Region Headquarters staff, State Directors, and Reserve Force Officers to provide support in their execution of public awareness programs at the Region and State levels.
  • Works with Region Headquarters staff to arrange media interviews and appearances for the Director and other senior staff members. Provides media kits for field distribution. Helps plan and coordinate special media events.
  • Apply public awareness and communication methods and adaptation of approaches in developing new information materials aimed at enhancing the public's understanding of significant Agency programs and issues.
  • Adhere to the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, legal practices and documents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, government organization and functions, and the democratic political process. This includes knowledge of Selective Service law, regulations, and policy issuances relating to registration and registrant processing; Region and State Headquarters operations; Area Office and Alternative Service Office operations; and Local and District Appeal Board operations.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the production, communication and dissemination of information and ideas to inform and motivate via written, oral, and visual media. This includes knowledge of desktop publishing technology and software, as well as page layout/design.
  • Recognizes and uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
  • Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information; makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
  • Shows understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern; develops and maintains relationships; may deal with people who are difficult, hostile, distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and situations; is sensitive to individual differences.
  • Identify and understand economic, political, and social trends that affect the organization apply skills in working with visual composition, technical competence with miscellaneous equipment and software.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a United States Citizen.
  • Must obtain Direct Deposit account.
  • May be required to complete a probationary period.
  • Must be suitable to complete a favorable background investigation.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Qualifications

For GS- 07 - I have completed one (1) year of work experience equivalent to a GS-05 applying knowledge and skill in public awareness and communication methods and adaptation of approaches in developing new information materials and formats aimed at enhancing the public's understanding of significant agency programs and issues. Skill working with standard office automated applications such as photo composition, technical competence with miscellaneous equipment. OR

I have completed one (1) full academic year of graduate education or superior academic achievement.

For GS- 09 - I have completed one (1) full years or more equivalent to a GS-07 of specialized experience utilizing methods and techniques to the solution of complex public affairs problems such as developing and presenting informational material to achieve understanding of various points of view or concepts from publics with varying levels of understanding and different interests and perspectives on the subjects; employing a number of information gathering techniques in collecting and analyzing public reaction to information programs; and developing recommendations for management in improving the agency's communication with the general public and specialized groups. OR

I possess a master's degree OR I have completed 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D.

For GS-11 - I have completed one (1) full years or more equivalent to a GS-09 in establishing the need for information materials to support Agency programs; uses a variety of methods and techniques in achieving communication goals; and provides news releases, feature articles, speeches, fact sheets, background papers, public services announcements, website content, etc., to Region Headquarters and National Headquarters offices. OR

I possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or I have completed 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M.,

OPM's Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Administrative and Management Positions. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Group-Standards.

The qualification requirements listed below must be met within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. For further information, click on http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference (see https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans). Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 70 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

How you will be evaluated

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

For Category Rating: Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Communication and Media: Knowledge of the production, communication and dissemination of information and ideas to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Information Management: Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.

Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience.

External Awareness: Identifies and understands economic, political, and social trends that affect the organization. Influencing/Negotiating: Persuades others to accept recommendations, cooperate, or change their behavior; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.

Organization Awareness: Knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization.

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