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Public Affairs Specialist

Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located on R2 ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION, REGIONAL OFFICE.

This position serves as a Public Affairs Specialist located in a Regional Office. The incumbent performs a wide variety of activities in planning and implementing a comprehensive public affairs program for the Region.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Valerie Baca at vbaca@fs.fed.us or at (303) 275-5118.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
10/09/2018 to 10/26/2018
Salary
$66,577 to - $103,739 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Lakewood, CO
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel for meetings and trainings may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. Additional relocation benefits may be negotiated with the selectee.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
18-1027687-G-SK
Control number
513245600

Duties

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  • Provide input into the long-range planning of the overall Public Affairs program.
  • Analyzes public reaction and recommends changes to improve understanding.
  • Use oral communication methods and techniques in devising the appropriate communication method for each public affairs campaign.
  • Represent the agency in meetings and discussions involving individuals, groups and organizations working in support of, or opposing the policies, programs or work of the agency.
  • Make public statements as necessary within the framework of established policy guidelines.
  • Use written communication methods and techniques in devising the appropriate communication method for each public affairs campaign.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of how effectively information has been communicated.
  • Use a variety of communication methods and techniques in devising the appropriate communication method for each public affairs campaign.
  • Implement with the assistance of other staff the communications campaigns needed.
  • Stay abreast of the most current and effective communication methods and techniques.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be suitable for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • This is a bargaining unit position represented by the National Federation of Federal Employees, IAMAW.

Qualifications

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, go to: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1000/public-affairs-series-1035/

You must possess the qualifications requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Basic Requirement:

For the GS-11 level: Applicants must have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled); OR one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level; OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). Examples of specialized experience are: Responding in oral and written form, to requests for information by determining the nature of the data required and collecting and assembling the material using the appropriate format and style based on needs and organization practices; assisting in evaluation and analysis of public comments on management issues; identifying areas to be addressed, characteristics and needs of the target audience, and communication techniques most appropriate; developing recommended approaches and drafting material for supervisor's approval; and developing and presenting informational audio-visual material using new technologies and social media.

For the GS-12 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level. Examples of specialized experience are: Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships at multiple levels within an organization in order to develop and disseminate coordinated messages that accurately address organizational programs; Preparing written materials to promote the organization's position on a variety of sensitive, controversial and/or complex issues; Designing and tailoring meetings and public involvement strategies to audiences that involved a degree of controversy.

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.

TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Additional information

TELEWORK: This position is eligible for telework.

CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANT PLAN (CTAP) or REEMPLOYMENT PRIORITY LIST (RPL): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

DAY CARE AVAILABILITY: Government daycare facilities are not available.

GOVERNMENT HOUSING AVAILABILITY: Government housing is not available.

PROMOTION POTENTIAL: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed.

OTHER SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES INFORMATION: Information on special hiring authorities such as the Veteran's Recruitment Act (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, and individuals with disabilities may be found on the USAJOBS website.

FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE: This agency offers alternative and flexible work schedules.

MULTIPLE HIRING SOURCES: We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the competencies listed below:

  • Communications and Media
  • Oral Communication
  • Technical Competence
  • Writing


Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position.

If you meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates you will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need to meet minimum qualifications to be referred.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed above. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10276087

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