Position is being advertised concurrently under BR-WO-2018-152, for current federal employees serving under a competitive service career or career-conditional appointment or reinstatement eligible. If you are interested in applying under both announcements, 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 Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist. You can make a difference in the West by assisting the management of Reclamation's public affairs program.
Would you enjoy serving as the Chief of the Public Affairs Group planning, designing, supervising, and managing the dissemination of mission critical program information to the general public, the news media, representatives of State and local governments, water user organizations and other components of the Federal Government? Responsibilities include management of Reclamations public affairs program, including supporting the formulation and articulation of program, policy and strategic initiative related plans, progress and outcomes through the execution of media relations, audiovisual, and publications programs.
LOCATION: Commissioner's Office; External and Intergovernmental Affairs; Public Affairs Office, 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-2018-152, for current federal employees serving under a competitive service career or career-conditional appointment or reinstatement eligible. If you are interested in applying under both announcements, 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 Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist. You can make a difference in the West by assisting the management of Reclamation's public affairs program.
Would you enjoy serving as the Chief of the Public Affairs Group planning, designing, supervising, and managing the dissemination of mission critical program information to the general public, the news media, representatives of State and local governments, water user organizations and other components of the Federal Government? Responsibilities include management of Reclamations public affairs program, including supporting the formulation and articulation of program, policy and strategic initiative related plans, progress and outcomes through the execution of media relations, audiovisual, and publications programs.
LOCATION: Commissioner's Office; External and Intergovernmental Affairs; Public Affairs Office, 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.
Occasional travel - This position may require occasional travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Relocation expenses are authorized with the exception of the Guaranteed Home Sale Provision. First-post-of-Duty relocation expenses are authorized for new appointments or reinstatements.
Plans and coordinates the day-to-day, annual, and long-term work for the Public Affairs Group and Reclamation’s national program to include Department of the Interior priority goals. Successful candidate will ensure public affairs products and strategies are cohesive, comprehensive and effective. Ensures that all internal and external communication plans, products and decisions reflect the views, priorities and policies of the Commissioner, the Secretary of the Interior and the Administration.
Serves as the principal communications liaison with the Department of the Interior’s Office of Communications and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, and establishes and maintains effective lines of communication between Reclamation and the White House, Congress, State, Tribal and local officials, as well as counterparts at public and private organizations. Oversees official public communications made on behalf of the Department concerning Departmental or Bureau policy, actions, decisions and/or opinions.
Performs a full range of supervisory duties. Directly supervises a Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist (Deputy) and other public affairs staff. Responsible for planning work to be accomplished, setting priorities, and establishes schedules for work completion.
Responsible for the effective supervisory and fiscal management of the Reclamation Public Affairs program, reviewing budgets and cost outlays regarding personnel, property and mission achievement.
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).
For veterans consideration, submit document(s) under Required Documents.
Appointee is required to file an OGE-450 Financial Disclosure form.
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Qualifications
All applicants must possess one year of specialized experience. To meet specialized experience, your resume must describe experience that demonstrates the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities as defined below:
GS-15: One year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-14 level in the Federal Government.
GS-14: Specialized expereince is experience in a public affairs, government affairs, or news media setting; expereince in providing excellent writing and oral presentations and materials; expereinace performing in a formal supervisory role; expereince serving as a liaison with leadership across agencies, stakeholders, and tribes; experience with controversial and complex matters; and experience advising on policy and procedures.
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
--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.
-- This position is designated as a HIGH RISK Public Trust position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated Public Trust Suitability Background Investigation (T4 or T4R (previously called a BI)) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment.
--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.
--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.
Category rating and selection procedures will be used for evaluating this position. If you meet the basic qualification requirements, your on-line responses to the vacancy assessment questionnaire will be used to determine the quality and extent of your experience, education, training, etc., for placement in one of the following categories: 1) Best Qualified, 2) Well Qualified and 3) Qualified. Qualified candidates will be assigned a numerical score on a scale of 70-100 and Veterans with preference will be placed at the top of their respective category. The assessment questionnaire will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Applicants will be further evaluated on the following “Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)” through your resume and responses to the online questions.
Knowledge and skill in developing, writing, and editing a variety of materials, such as articles, news releases, speeches, communication plans and strategies, and briefing memoranda.
Knowledge and skill in advising and briefing senior leadership on a variety of strategies, considerations, and consequences.
Knowledge and skill in the full range of supervisory duties; planning day-to-day, annual, and long-term work for a public affairs group or related work group.
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:
--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 90 on the assessment questionnaire as established, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP/ICTAP, visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
--DD-214, CERTIFICATE OF RELEASE FROM ACTIVE DUTY: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214, and you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.
--For 5-point veterans' preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 Copy), or an official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
--For 10-point veterans' preference, please submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the required documentation requested by this form.
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 (DFC) 6th and Kipling Building 67, Rm 348, Denver, CO 80225, OR hand-deliver to HR Office: Denver Federal Center (DFC) 6th and Kipling, Bldg 67, Rm 348, Denver, CO 80225. 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:
--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 90 on the assessment questionnaire as established, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP/ICTAP, visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
--DD-214, CERTIFICATE OF RELEASE FROM ACTIVE DUTY: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214, and you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.
--For 5-point veterans' preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 Copy), or an official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
--For 10-point veterans' preference, please submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the required documentation requested by this form.
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 (DFC) 6th and Kipling Building 67, Rm 348, Denver, CO 80225, OR hand-deliver to HR Office: Denver Federal Center (DFC) 6th and Kipling, Bldg 67, Rm 348, Denver, CO 80225. 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.
