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Public Affairs Specialist

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This announcement is limited to the first 50 applicants. If the applicant limit is reached prior to the closing date, the announcement will close at midnight EST on that day.

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our greatest natural resource. For additional information about the BLM, please visit Our website.

This position is located in Cheyenne, WY. Information about Cheyenne and the Location area can be found at Cheyenne, WY.

Physical Demands: The work is generally sedentary and does not require unusual physical effort. Most of the work is performed in an office setting. Driving a car or pickup truck is periodically required. The work often requires walking outdoors and travel in light aircraft, helicopters, and off-road vehicles. Long work days are occasionally required to meet deadlines and resolve specific problems.

Work Environment: Most of the work is performed in an office setting although travel to field sites or other BLM/government offices is often required. Attendance at meetings at night or on weekends is sometimes required. Incumbent will adhere to all safety rules and regulations as prescribed in manuals/supplements or by the designated Safety Officer.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
03/09/2018 to 03/18/2018
Salary
$61,218 to - $95,388 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Location
Cheyenne, WY
1 vacancy
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel will be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - This is a permanent position.
Work schedule
Full-time - Work Schedule is Full Time.
Service
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Announcement number
WY-DEU-2018-0056
Control number
493568900

This job is open to

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Duties

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Duties at the Full Performance Level GS-12: You will develop public affairs plans and public participation plans for major projects; prepare public affairs portion of annual work plan; advise management on strategies for future public contact activities; develop and assist in procuring and presenting interpretive materials and exhibits relating to multiple use management of public lands and special emphasis programs; produce, edit and ensure publication of brochures, maps, audio-visual materials, etc. for public information and education purposes; create and maintain a local public service and education program involving school systems, special community events and various special and public interest groups; serves as Wyoming State Office representative to various contacts in both formal and informal situations; serves as spokesperson for the BLM on pertinent issues. Assist in website development, create Social Media content and press releases, writes feature stories and coordinates media inquiries. Develop crisis and strategic communication plans. Duties at the GS-11 level will be less complex and with more supervision, while at the GS-12 level, duties are expected to be carried out independently and display high functioning communication techniques and strategy.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required<br><br>
  • Be sure to read the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" Sections<br>
  • You cannot hold an active real estate license, nor can you
  • Have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Land<br>
  • Direct Deposit Required<br>
  • Background Investigation Required

To qualify at the GS-11 level applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience announcement equivalent to the GS-9 level in the federal service; OR 3 full years of graduate level education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or LL.M., if related; OR a combination of the education and experience described above.

To qualify for the GS-12, you must have 1 year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level. Education cannot be substituted at this grade level.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience Requirements: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - please be sure to include this information in your resume. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade of the position to be filled.

For GS-11 specialized experience is defined as: Experience in advising management on policy formulation and the potential public reaction to proposed policy, where identifying communication needs and developing information materials is required. This experience could include planning, executing and evaluating the effectiveness of information and communication programs to meet agency goals. The work requires professional competence in the techniques of communication, knowledge of the broad scope of natural resource management programs, understanding of the interests of all segments of the public and skill in cooperative relations.

For GS-12 specialized experience is defined as: Experience in advising management on policy formulation and the potential public reaction to proposed policy, where identifying communication needs and developing information materials is required. Specialized experience also includes independently developing complex strategic and crisis communication tactics and products with minimal direction and supervision, as well as proficiency in using the range of communication platforms. Specialized experience also includes accurately identifying internal and external target audiences to share information and displaying exemplary writing skills in AP style. This experience could include planning, executing and evaluating the effectiveness of information and communication programs to meet agency goals. The work requires professional competence in the techniques of communication, knowledge of the broad scope of natural resource management programs, understanding of the interests of all segments of the public and skill in cooperative relations.

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.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Additional information

SELECTIVE SERVICE: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System website.

May require completion of a 1-year probationary period.

Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at CTAP or ICTAP. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form.

CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they fall within the Well or Best Qualified categories on the rating criteria for this position.

Reemployment Priority List (RPL): The RPL is the mechanism agencies use to give reemployment consideration to their former competitive service employees separated by a RIF or who have fully recovered from a compensable injury after more than one year. If you are currently on a Reemployment Priority List, you may be given priority consideration.

BLM may use certain incentives, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract high quality applicants.

This announcement is being advertised concurrently under Announcement# WY-MERIT-2018-0094 for current and former federal employees serving under a competitive service career or career-conditional appointment or reinstatement eligible. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.

The Bureau of Land Management has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

How you will be evaluated

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

Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your rating will be based on your responses to the Job Specific Questionnaire and the information stated in your resume. If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. In addition, interviews may be conducted for this position. The interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis or may be scored. The job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the work of this position.

*Knowledge of the theories, principles, practices and techniques of public relations

*Knowledge of media format and protocols. *Knowledge of the news media and the preparation of materials for dissemination to the media.

*Skill in communicating to management and the general public both orally and in writing
To preview questions please click here.

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