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Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist

Department of Homeland Security
Customs and Border Protection
Office of Public Affairs
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Public Affairs located in Washington, DC.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
08/27/2018 to 09/06/2018
Salary
$134,789 to - $164,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington DC, DC
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
15
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Drug test
No
Announcement number
OPA-DE-10291176-18-KNM
Control number
508733700

Duties

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The purpose of the position is to serve as Director with responsibility for managing, directing and supervising the Digital Media Engagement Division. OPA digital media engagement personnel engage the public, the media, stakeholders and the CBP workforce via social media, CBP's websites and internal and external visual information display systems. This position starts at a salary of $134,789.00 (GS-15, Step 1) to $164,200.00 (GS-15, Step 10) with promotion potential to $164,200.00 (GS-15, Step 10).

  • Manages and directs the establishment of national policies, programs and procedures governing information functions related to CBP's digital media engagement efforts, including web and social media and is a direct report to the Office of Public Affairs Assistant Commissioner and Deputy Assistant Commissioner.
  • Formulates long-range plans and objectives for consideration for the public affairs digital media engagement program in support of CBP's mission.
  • Develops management strategies in executing a public affairs digital media engagement program that effectively conveys sensitive and controversial information, which is subject to varied interpretations, to a wide variety of publics and the workforce.
  • Advises the AC and DAC about public attitudes toward CBP as well as reactions to achievements, incidents, policies and operations. Responds to requests for information, both formal and informal, oral or written, often requiring detailed research and development of explanation of comments concerning CBP activities.
  • Develops annual goals, plans the work to be accomplished; assigns, accepts, amends and/or rejects assignments; sets priorities; prepares schedules for the completion of work; ensures a satisfactory amount and quality of work; evaluates performance, recommends promotions, details, and/or reassignments; hears and resolves employee complaints, effects disciplinary measures; and provides for developmental and training needs.
  • In collaboration with other divisions within OPA, establishes and maintains external relationships via social media engagement. Responsible for using a variety of methods and techniques in achieving communication goals. Monitors effective benchmarks for measuring the impact of web and social media programs. Analyzes reviews and reports on the effectiveness of campaigns in an effort to maximize results.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
  • Primary U.S. residency for the last three years (additional details below)
  • You may be required to pass a background investigation and/or polygraph
  • You may be required to pass initial and random drug testing

Qualifications

You qualify for the GS-15 level if you possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-14 level or equivalent performing duties such as:

  • Leading, directing, and administering public affairs communication programs including media relations, communications forums and public outreach activities;
  • Evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of public affairs program operations with a focus on factors such as cost-effectiveness, attainment of program goals and objectives, and compliance with pertinent legal and regulatory guidelines;
  • Planning, developing, and directing major projects and initiatives associated with public affairs programs;
  • Developing and enhancing public outreach programs and recommending strategies for all aspects of public affairs programs and activities.

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, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 09/06/2018.

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.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For more information visit this link.

Residency: If you are not currently a CBP employee, you must meet one or more of the following primary residency criteria for at least three years prior to applying to this announcement:
  1. Resided in the United States or its protectorate or territories (excluding short trips abroad, such as vacations);
  2. Worked for the United States government as an employee overseas in a federal or military capacity; or
  3. Been a dependent of a United States federal or military employee serving overseas.
Exceptions may be granted if you provide complete state-side coverage information regarding participation in "Study Abroad" programs, overseas church missions, or state-side addresses of anyone who worked or studied with you overseas. You must provide information and related documentation at the time of application.

Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Supervisory Probationary Period: The Civil Service Reform Act requires first time supervisors and/or managers to serve an 18 month probationary period. You may also be required to complete an appropriate supervisory training course within 90 days of assignment to this position. Most training occurs in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia and requires overnight extended stay.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the Federal Government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. Information about ICTAP or CTAP eligibility can be found here. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be placed in the Well-Qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Bargaining Unit: This position is not convered under the bargaining unit.

Financial Disclosure is required.

All newly appointed, GS-15s are required to complete the mandatory CBP Leadership Institute (CBP LI) course. The Office of Training and Development will schedule eligible managers to attend CBP LI within the first 90 days of appointment. All newly appointed, permanent GS-15s shall attain the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform their responsibilities by completing required leadership training in accordance with CBP Directive 51410-026, Required Leadership Training for New CBP Senior Managers (dated 02/11/2014), and CBP Directive 51410-024, Required Continuous Leader Development for CBP Supervisors (dated 11/17/2013).

NOTE: This training may be waived if previously completed.

CBP 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.

Every individual receives a fair opportunity throughout the federal recruitment and hiring process. Learn more here.

Follow U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Twitter @CustomsBorder

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 supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we will use an online self-assessment questionnaire to place you in one of three categories based on your experience, education and training. Your entire application package will then be reviewed. The final determination will be based on all the information provided in your application package.

If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:

  1. Best Qualified: Applicants possessing knowledge, skills and abilities and/or competencies substantially exceeding the minimum requirements of the position.
  2. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing knowledge, skills and abilities and/or competencies clearly exceeding the minimum requirements of the position.
  3. Qualified: Applicants possessing knowledge, skills and abilities and/or competencies meeting the minimum requirements of the position.
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. For more information about veterans' preference visit this link.

If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the job questionnaire, see https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10291176
  • Expert in-depth knowledge and understanding of web content management systems and web analytics
  • Ability to effectively communicate; Ideas are written in concise and able to understand language. Ability to build and maintain relationships within and outside CBP
  • Knowledge and skills in accessing public reaction and identifying extent of understanding achieved to evaluate effectiveness of information programs
  • Ability to analyze new web and social media engagement trends and their potential for use by CBP
  • Excellent organizational skills and good judgment are needed to manage multiple projects and priorities independently. Strong project management and organizational skills are needed

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