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Public Affairs Specialist

Environmental Protection Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in Region 8, Office of Communications and Public Involvement, Helena, MT. For more information on this office, visit their website:  Region 8

If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement.

Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed above. Earth Day is every day at EPA!  

At EPA, you can protect human health and the environment of all Americans, and you’ll discover that EPA is one great place to work!  We offer great benefits and work flexibilities, and our diverse workforce connects to more than just a career--we share a common passion to promote a cleaner, healthier environment.  Discover how exciting safeguarding our natural resources and protecting human health can be.  Find yourself at EPA.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
08/02/2018 to 08/22/2018
Salary
$73,375 to - $113,428 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Helena, MT
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - 6-10 days per month
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Drug test
No
Announcement number
CI-R8-MP-2018-0040
Control number
506728000

This job is open to

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Duties

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At the entry level of this position, you will:

  • Plan, evaluate, and implement various communication strategies for regional environmental public awareness programs. 
  • Analyze the impact of program activities on the public and advise staff of possible alternative.
  • Serve as the agency spokesperson at regional public meetings and various formal/informal briefings and workshops; maintain open two-way communication between various stakeholders. 

When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
  • You must submit a resume and required documents (see How to Apply section).

This position is designated as Low Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.

You must meet time in grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

You do not need a degree to qualify for this position.

We are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:

To qualify for the GS-12 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-11 level defined as evaluating and implementing communication and/or outreach strategies; collaborating with or creating partnerships with federal, state, local level or media representatives to facilitate joint communication related to organizational programs; and preparing written materials to include press releases, news stories and/or fact sheets. 

To qualify for the GS-13 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-12 level defined as Developing and implementing communication and outreach strategies; collaborating with or creating partnerships with federal, state, local officials and/or media representatives to facilitate joint communication related to environmental protection programs; and developing written materials to include press release, news stories and fact sheets.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:  

  • Skill in developing relations ships with media representatives, managers, and staff.
  • Skill in analyzing the impact of program activities on the public.
  • Ability to identify appropriate social media communication techniques and strategies to solicit public input.
  • Knowledge of environmental regulations.
  • Skill in oral communication sufficient to respond to questions, inquiries, and criticism.
  • Skill in developing outreach strategies to disseminate information to the public.
  • Skill in written communication sufficient to develop press releases, news stories and fact sheets.

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

Are you a Displaced Federal Employee?  If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures

This position is in the bargaining unit.

EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

If you have part-time work experience, read this:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.  

Position has portable work and selectee may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager.

If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA.  Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.  Your resume must address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the Qualifications section.  If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the online assessment.  Your responses to the online assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for the position and an applicable score assigned.

We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire.  If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.  We will evaluate your qualifications and eligibility and notify you if you meet minimum qualification requirements.  If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments.

NOTE:  We do not require a separate statement responding to the competencies, also referred to as Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.


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