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 the Division of Public Affairs (WO-610) in Washington, DC. Information about the area can be found at Washington, DC.
Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid.
Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary. Occasional travel is required utilizing government vehicles and commercial or chartered aircraft. Writing and editing assignments require a degree of concentration and often include working under extremely tight deadlines with considerable outside pressure.
Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in an office environment in an urban setting. Occasional field assignments are required to gather information and carry out the communications program.
Summary
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 the Division of Public Affairs (WO-610) in Washington, DC. Information about the area can be found at Washington, DC.
Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid.
Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary. Occasional travel is required utilizing government vehicles and commercial or chartered aircraft. Writing and editing assignments require a degree of concentration and often include working under extremely tight deadlines with considerable outside pressure.
Work Environment: Work is performed primarily in an office environment in an urban setting. Occasional field assignments are required to gather information and carry out the communications program.
This position is located in the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), within the Directorate for Communications. The incumbent serves as the Division Chief for Public Affairs and has overall responsibility for the oversight and management of the Division of Public Affairs. The Division Chief of Public Affairs Office is responsible for the management of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) 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. The primary purpose of the office is to develop, plan, design, supervise, and manage the dissemination of mission critical program information to the general public.
Keeps BLM leadership informed concerning public reaction to announced plans, policies, and activities. Plans work to be accomplished, sets priories, and establishes schedules for completion of work by Public Affairs staff.
Overall responsibility for planning and coordinating the day-to-day, annual, and long-term work for the Division of Public Affairs to include Agency and Departmental level priority goals to ensure the work is cohesive, comprehensive and effective; responsible for independently planning, designing and carrying out BLM’s Public Affairs program.
Oversees official public communications made on behalf the Department concerning Departmental or bureau policy actions, decisions and/or opinions.
Works collaboratively with the BLM Office of New Media to develop social media strategies that advance BLM messaging for major policy and program announcements. Also coordinates with the Office of New Media on management and oversight of the BLM’s website, including the development of content, use of photos and videos, structure and organization.
Responsible for the creation and development of the full suite of communications plans materials, including but not limited to press releases, talking points, speeches, press roll out plans, factsheets, brochures, and other documents. Takes a proactive approach with the media to place stories about BLM programs, policies, and issues.
Security Clearance/Background Investigation is required.
Be sure to read the "How to Apply" & "Required Documents" Sections.
You cannot hold an active real estate license; nor can you
have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Land.
Direct Deposit Required.
Candidates must meet all qualification requirements as identified in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook. This position is under the Administrative and Management Qualification Standards.
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 requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume.
For GS-15: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-14) in the Federal service is required. Examples of specialized experience at the GS-14 level or equivalent level include: Experience directing and managing the development of regional and/or national policies, procedures and guidelines for public affairs programs and in counseling top agency officials on the development and implementation of policies related to this area; experience developing program policies, procedures and guidance for all aspects of public affairs programs, including in uncertain situations; experience providing technical direction to subordinate employees on the work to be accomplished where established methods and procedures are inapplicable or are unavailable. Experience addressing complex and highly controversial issues and problems identified relative to policy guidance implementation through public affairs, national and regional press, TV, radio, and Social Media. Providing support of formulating new concepts, principles, and methods to resolve issues. Experience in integrating the interests of key internal and external stakeholders, including Congress, Administration and the non-government organizations in the development and implementation of agency policy.
Substitution of Education: There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-15 grade level.
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
This announcement is being advertised concurrently under Announcement#: WO Merit-2018-0055 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.
BLM may use certain incentives, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract high quality applicants.
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.
May require completion of a 1 year probationary period.
If you are selected for this position, you will be required to serve a one-year managerial probationary period, if one has not previously been completed.
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.
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: Selective Service Website.
Occasional travel may be required.
Government facilities are required to provide a smoke-free environment for their employees. Smoking will be permitted only in designated areas.
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.
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 job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the work of this position.
KSA 1: Knowledge of organizational leadership and management requirements in order to effectively lead, motivate, supervise, and manage the Public Affairs staff, and to provide effective input into management team deliberations and decisions.
KSA 2: Knowledge of the legislative process and the composition of the United States Congress and state legislatures to ensure attainment team deliberations and decisions.
KSA 3: Skill in overseeing the development and execution of effective communication strategies involving complex natural resources issues to be delivered to both supportive contentious audiences.
KSA 4: Skill in establishing and maintain effective working relationships with others, inside and outside the organization.
KSA 5: Skill in developing written and multimedia information products that clearly and effectively convey information to the public, including media and stakeholders, with varying levels of knowledge, priorities, and interests. 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.
In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you are required to submit the following forms:
Veterans' Preference: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the level of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be adjudicated (verified) by the employing agency using the documents you provide.
- For 0-point Sole survivorship veterans’ preference (SSP), please provide the documentation you received granting this preference.
- For 5-point veterans' preference, please provide your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), 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. For more information on which type of preference is applicable please visit VetGuide.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: Please provide documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.
You may submit your documents either via Auto-Requested Fax or by uploading your documents from your USAJOBS Profile.
Auto-Requested Fax: Allows you to submit required documentation that will be electronically displayed along with your resume.
UPLOADING DOCUMENTS: Instead of faxing your documents you may use the uploading procedures thru Applicant Manager. Do not use both options.
If uploading a resume, you must include the following: Job Title and Grade Level, if Federal employment, Duties and Accomplishments, Employer's Name and Address, Supervisor's Name and Telephone Number, Starting and Ending dates (month and year), Hours worked per week, and Salary.
Hard copy paper supplemental documents, submitted without prior Human Resources approval, will be considered as an incomplete application.
Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.
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.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes ALL of the following items: 1. Your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire; 2. Your resume; and 3. Applicable supporting documents specified in the Required Documents section of this job announcement.
Click on the button "Apply Online" and login to MY USAJOBS. If you haven't already registered with USAJOBS, the system will require you to create a user name and password, complete a questionnaire and upload, paste or type a resume into USAJOBS.
If you have already registered with USAJOBS and have forgotten your login information, select the "Did you forget your username and/or password" link from the right side menu.
Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time by the closing date of this announcement.
If you need assistance in applying on-line, please contact Thelma Jones, HR Specialist, in the HR Office at (202) 912-7071 or t1jones@blm.gov. If applying on-line poses a hardship for you (i.e. you do not have access to the internet) you must contact us prior to the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying.
Bureau of Land Management
BLM, Washington Office, WO-712
20 M Street, SE
Washington, District of Columbia 20003-3503
United States
Next steps
You will be notified of the status of your application as the qualification review process is conducted. You may also check the status of your application by viewing your MY USAJOBs account.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you are required to submit the following forms:
Veterans' Preference: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the level of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be adjudicated (verified) by the employing agency using the documents you provide.
- For 0-point Sole survivorship veterans’ preference (SSP), please provide the documentation you received granting this preference.
- For 5-point veterans' preference, please provide your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), 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. For more information on which type of preference is applicable please visit VetGuide.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: Please provide documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.
You may submit your documents either via Auto-Requested Fax or by uploading your documents from your USAJOBS Profile.
Auto-Requested Fax: Allows you to submit required documentation that will be electronically displayed along with your resume.
UPLOADING DOCUMENTS: Instead of faxing your documents you may use the uploading procedures thru Applicant Manager. Do not use both options.
If uploading a resume, you must include the following: Job Title and Grade Level, if Federal employment, Duties and Accomplishments, Employer's Name and Address, Supervisor's Name and Telephone Number, Starting and Ending dates (month and year), Hours worked per week, and Salary.
Hard copy paper supplemental documents, submitted without prior Human Resources approval, will be considered as an incomplete application.
Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.
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.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes ALL of the following items: 1. Your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire; 2. Your resume; and 3. Applicable supporting documents specified in the Required Documents section of this job announcement.
Click on the button "Apply Online" and login to MY USAJOBS. If you haven't already registered with USAJOBS, the system will require you to create a user name and password, complete a questionnaire and upload, paste or type a resume into USAJOBS.
If you have already registered with USAJOBS and have forgotten your login information, select the "Did you forget your username and/or password" link from the right side menu.
Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time by the closing date of this announcement.
If you need assistance in applying on-line, please contact Thelma Jones, HR Specialist, in the HR Office at (202) 912-7071 or t1jones@blm.gov. If applying on-line poses a hardship for you (i.e. you do not have access to the internet) you must contact us prior to the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying.
Bureau of Land Management
BLM, Washington Office, WO-712
20 M Street, SE
Washington, District of Columbia 20003-3503
United States
Next steps
You will be notified of the status of your application as the qualification review process is conducted. You may also check the status of your application by viewing your MY USAJOBs account.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
