U.S. Citizens and Status Candidates (this includes Merit Promotion, Status Candidates, Former Overseas Employees, CTAP, ICTAP, VRA, VEOA, 30% or More Disabled, EVHO, Schedule A, Military Spouses, Americorps, Peace Corps, Vista, Interchange Agreement Eligibles, Land Management, and National Guard).
If selected for this position you will perform the following and related tasks in the accomplishment of the organization's mission:
This is a career ladder position. Level of responsibility and independence will vary based on grade level.
Develop, plan, and implement communications tactics for assigned external affairs and strategic communication initiatives with a focus on ensuring effective presentation of NPPD's mission, programs, operations and policies
Develop communication strategies and tactics through collaboration with senior leadership and subject matter experts in operational mission organizations
Determine the most effective approaches to employ in reaching targeted external stakeholder groups
Modify strategies or plans to more effectively communicate programs and functions
Provide information to refute inaccurate criticism
Draft, edit and finalize a variety of products, including External Affairs Guidance, reports, pamphlets, website content, fact sheets, operational and strategic plans, exercise injects, crisis communication plans
Represent external affairs on work groups and committees responsible for addressing communications programs and issues
Obtain feedback from the public and other internal and external groups in developing new approaches to use in meeting both the communication needs of external stakeholders and the goals of the NPPD
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position
You must successfully pass a background investigation
Selective Service registration required
Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements
You must be able to obtain and hold a Secret andTS/SCI clearance
Relocation expenses are not authorized. Other recruitment incentives may be authorized.
This position has been designated exempt from bargaining unit representation under the national security provision of 5 USC Section 7112(B)(6).
All employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/ Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.
New employees must serve a one year probationary period.
You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative test result prior to appointment to this position. After appointment, you may be subject to periodic random drug testing.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position you must meet the specialized education and/or experience for each grade level that you are applying:
GS-11
Have at least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 level in the Federal service performing the following duties: 1) Supporting organizational communications efforts to meet communication initiatives; 2) Performing writing and editing assignments for the creation of web, digital, and print materials to achieve program initiatives and organizational requirements; and 3) Assisting internal and external staff with communication tactics and tools for meetings and conferences. Note: The contents of your resume must fully and explicitly support this response in its entirety. Otherwise, you will be found ineligible.
OR
You must have successfully completed three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D.; or successfully completed a Ph.D.; or equivalent degree, e.g., LL.M., at an accredited college or university in a field that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
OR
Have a combination of graduate education (beyond the Masters level) as described and specialized experience (less than one year) as described that when combined equals 100% of the qualification requirement. NOTE: Only graduate education beyond the Masters level may be used in this calculation.
GS-12:
You must have at least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties: 1) Implementing communication strategies for a national program in coordination with assigned divisions to foster relationships with external stakeholders; 2)Performing writing and editing assignments for the creation of web, digital, and print materials to achieve program initiatives and organizational requirements; and 3) Integrating metrics and measurement/evaluation tools to evaluate the effectiveness of communication projects. Note: The contents of your resume must fully and explicitly support this response in its entirety. Otherwise, you will be found ineligible.
GS-13
You must have at least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-12 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) examples of specialized experience include performing the following: Developing communication strategies for a national program in coordination with assigned divisions to foster relationships with external stakeholders; Performing final approval on writing and editing assignments for the creation of web, digital, and print materials to achieve program initiatives and organizational requirements; Developing metrics and establishing measurement/evaluation tools to evaluate the effectiveness of communication projects; leading and/or directing others in the performance of related tasks. Note: The contents of your resume must fully and explicitly support this response in its entirety. Otherwise, you will be found ineligible.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Qualifications Must Be Met
The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Time-in-Grade
Current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade level or equivalent grade band in the federal service. The time-in-grade requirement must be met by closing date of this announcement.
Submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, with-in grade/range increases); your current promotion potential; proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement; etc. Please note: While a General Adjustment and/or Award SF-50 may be your most recent SF-50 it typically DOES NOT show proof of Time in Grade. Thus, you may have to submit more than one SF-50 as proof of Time in Grade.
Education
Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) or a list of coursework with hours completed. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
Additional information
Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
Merit promotion and/or non-competitive referral lists may be issued based on the needs of the agency.
More than one selection may be made from this announcement.
Appointments are subject to the availability of funds.
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select Benefits. Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
E-Verify
DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, persons with disabilities, and those covered under the Interchange Agreement possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the documentation that is required, click on the links in Who May Be Considered section or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online if at all possible. Applying online, through your USAJOBS account, will expedite the application process and allow you to check your application status as well as verify the documentation submitted with your application. If you utilize the Alternate Application method, your USAJOBS account will not display this application and you will not receive status updates.
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.
Applicants will be evaluated on their resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training will be rated using an Assessment Questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job:
Communications and Media
Internal and External Organizational Awareness
Problem Solving
Written Communication
Category Rating Procedures: If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:
Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all Selective Placement Factors (SPF) and appropriate Quality Ranking Factors (QRF) as determined by the job analysis.
Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies, including all SPFs and appropriate QRFs as determined by the job analysis.
Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. This position is not considered scientific/professional. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on www.fedshirevets.org
Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are best qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.
Candidate who apply under Noncompetitive and Special Hiring Authorities procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume, supporting documentation submitted and their responses to the assessment questionnaire.
If you are determined qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10249651
Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (I/CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not I/CTAP eligible. View information about I/CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under I/CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.
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.
If your application is rated as well-qualified (score 85 or above) and you are claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (I/CTAP)? Submit:
a copy of your agency notice,
a copy of your most recent performance rating, and
a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
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.
Your application must be received by 11:59PM EST on 08/10/2018 . To begin your online application:
You need to create a login.gov account, if you don't already have one. Your old USAJOBS username and password won't work anymore. You'll need to:
Create a login.gov account - you only need to do this once.
Enter an email address during the account set up - use the same email address you use for USAJOBS (your primary or secondary email address).
Create a new password.
Have a working phone number (mobile or landline) near you - login.gov will send you a security code.
Finish setting up your login.gov account.
Once you've finished setting up your login.gov account, you'll go back to USAJOBS to finish the process. Double check your USAJOBS Profile to make sure all of your information is accurate.
You need to use your login.gov email address, password and security code every time you want to sign into USAJOBS.
Follow the prompts in USAJOBS to take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more details.
Note: We recommend you don't use a .gov, .mil or .edu email address. Instead, you should use a personal (non-government) email address when you create your login.gov account.
You also can't use an email address you share with someone else.
DHS NPPD OUS
245 Murray Drive Bldg 410
Washington, DC 20258
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 30-60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
View more information on applying for federal employment.
Thank you for your interest in the Department of Homeland Security, National Protection and Programs Directorate!
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
If your application is rated as well-qualified (score 85 or above) and you are claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (I/CTAP)? Submit:
a copy of your agency notice,
a copy of your most recent performance rating, and
a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
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.
Your application must be received by 11:59PM EST on 08/10/2018 . To begin your online application:
You need to create a login.gov account, if you don't already have one. Your old USAJOBS username and password won't work anymore. You'll need to:
Create a login.gov account - you only need to do this once.
Enter an email address during the account set up - use the same email address you use for USAJOBS (your primary or secondary email address).
Create a new password.
Have a working phone number (mobile or landline) near you - login.gov will send you a security code.
Finish setting up your login.gov account.
Once you've finished setting up your login.gov account, you'll go back to USAJOBS to finish the process. Double check your USAJOBS Profile to make sure all of your information is accurate.
You need to use your login.gov email address, password and security code every time you want to sign into USAJOBS.
Follow the prompts in USAJOBS to take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more details.
Note: We recommend you don't use a .gov, .mil or .edu email address. Instead, you should use a personal (non-government) email address when you create your login.gov account.
You also can't use an email address you share with someone else.
DHS NPPD OUS
245 Murray Drive Bldg 410
Washington, DC 20258
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 30-60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
View more information on applying for federal employment.
Thank you for your interest in the Department of Homeland Security, National Protection and Programs Directorate!
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
