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Public Affairs Specialist

Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is part of the Assistant Regional Director-External Affairs, Region 6. As a Public Affairs Specialist you will be responsible for web development and graphic/video production, to support the Region's strategic mission and enhance its internal and external fish and wildlife conservation communication capabilities.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
11/28/2018 to 12/11/2018
Salary
$55,027 to - $103,739 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Lakewood, CO
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Drug test
No
Announcement number
EA-18-002-10361982-NS-DE
Control number
517909700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

Duties

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This announcement is being advertised concurrently under EA-18-002-10360199-NS-MP 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.

Major duties include:

  • Serve as the primary manager of web communications content for the Region, to analyze, implement and manage all web-based communications for the regional office, including social media, webpage content and design, online audio and video products, online databases and other web-based services and sites.
  • Determine best way to disseminate information via website (e.g., custom web pages, text, webcasts, photos, video, blogging, etc.), including responding to questions and communications with various public, including media, Congress, Native American tribes, conservation organizations, and other governmental agencies.
  • Develop and implement national and regional communication strategies and create web-based products supporting Fish and Wildlife Service programs for the public and employees via the Regions Internet and Intranet sites.
  • Research and maintain current knowledge of new communications technologies, analyze reports on and recommend technology improvements and expansions.
  • Monitor emerging web and social media technologies; develop appropriate implementation/expansion of electronic communications outreach; and utilize and/or modify existing information outreach technologies in Region 6.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation
  • A valid State Driver's License is required.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period

Qualifications

Only experience and education obtained by 12/11/2018 will be considered.

You may qualify at the GS-09 level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:
A.One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is described as: 1) assisting with the implementation and management of web-based communications; 2) assisting in writing news releases, bulletins, feature stories and other communication materials for public release; 3) performing basic video and sound editing products through programs such as Microsoft Word, Adobe image manipulation software; AND 4) assisting in preparing written and visual media content.
B. A master's or equivalent degree or have successfully completed 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.B. or J.D., if related. Such education must be directly related to the position to be filled and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.
C. An equivalent combination of professional experience and graduate level education beyond the first year which together equals 100% of the requirements.

You may qualify at the GS-11 level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is described as: 1) developing strategic communication plans for conservation issues utilizing social media programs (i.e. internet forums, weblogs, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc.); 2) writing news releases, feature stories, fact sheets and information papers related to natural resource conservation; 3) performing advanced video and sound editing products through programs such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Microsoft Suite, InDesign or similar programs; AND 4) developing and maintaining effective working relationships with media representatives and internal customers.
B. A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree (or L.L.M, if related). Such education must be directly related to the position to be filled and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.
C. A combination of graduate level education beyond the first 2 years of progressive graduate study and appropriate experience that together meets qualification requirements for this position.

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.

Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed represent the full performance level of GS-12. At lower grade levels, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-12. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.The selectee may be promoted without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Education

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.

PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been or may be involuntarily separated (e.g. reduction in force, declining to relocate/transfer outside their local commuting area) from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal or Removal Notice; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; or Removal and most recent performance appraisal.). For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System at https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx

  • FWS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for limited telework and the selectee may be allowed to occasionally telework with supervisor approval.
  • More than one position may be filled from applications received under this announcement in the advertised office or other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices in the local commuting area.
  • A PCS move is authorized.
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: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the basic qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you meet the basic qualifications your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience which resulted in you being listed in the highest quality category, you may lose consideration, or be assigned to a lower quality category for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Knowledge of the principles, methods, practices and techniques of conservation communication.
  • Skill in developing communications plans and strategies.
  • Knowledge of and ability to apply Web and social media practices, strategies, and technologies used to engage existing audiences and find new ones.
  • Ability to use advanced functions of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Adobe Dreamweaver, and Adobe image manipulation software.
  • Ability to meet and deal effectively with a wide variety of individuals at various levels within the public and private sectors, including representatives of the local and national news media and interest groups in order to convey information in an effective manner.
All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The category ratings for this position are:
-Qualified: Meets minimum qualifications established for the position, but fails to meet the benchmark definition for the Well Qualified category
-Well Qualified: Demonstrates overall competency in the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position.
-Best Qualified: Demonstrates high proficiency and comprehensive level of knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position.

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the basic qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 showing you were honorably discharged. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must attach an SF-15," Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" in addition to the proof required by that form.

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