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).
This position is that of a Public Affairs Specialist located in the Office of Public Assistance, Governmental Affairs, and Compliance (OPAGAC), Section of Communications/Media. In this capacity you will be responsible for:
-The dissemination of public information to all media, the Congress, governmental entities, stakeholders, and public and private sector groups.
-Serving as media adviser to senior-level management and implementing policies and procedures for public affairs activities;
-Handling reporter inquiries and serving as on-the-record spokesperson for an organization;
-Managing agency website content and design;
-Writing speeches for senior-level management, and drafting press releases, op-eds and articles for publication.
You must be a U.S. citizen.
You must be able to pass a background investigation.
You may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period.
You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date.
Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade).
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must demonstrate the possession of the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position.
In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one full year of experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the federal service with experience performing ALL of the following on a recurring basis: serving as media adviser to senior-level management; implementing policies and procedures for public affairs activities; handling reporter inquiries and serving as on-the-record spokesperson for an organization; writing speeches for senior-level management; drafting press releases, op-eds and articles for publication. You must demonstrate proficiency in social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and GovLoop.
PLEASE NOTE: You must clearly show in your resume and claim on the questionnaire how you meet ALL of the required experience above, or you will be rated ineligible.
The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
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 before the announcement closes.
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.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be rated well-qualified by scoring 85 or better on the assessment. Additional information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see www.sss.gov).
E-Verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System. The STB is an E-Verify Participant.
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.
If you are a veteran claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) or an official statement (including Character of Service) from your command if currently on active duty. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) and the required supporting documents listed on that form. For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. (you must submit a DD214-member copy 4).
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.
You will be evaluated on your 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:
-Writing
-Oral Communication
-Knowledge of current public affairs practices and trends
-Skill in website content, design, development and social media
For this position: Candidates who have experience disseminating information to the media regarding transportation issues are highly desirable.
The ideal candidate is able to perform her/his duties independently and has demonstrated experience in reporting on differing viewpoints from various transportation industry media outlets, railroads, railroad shippers, trade associations, and other relevant industry stakeholders. Candidates must be able to formulate effective responses and communication plans that will meet the Board's needs of interacting with such entities.
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.
Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies.
Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies.
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. 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.
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/10367173
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.
The following documents are required and must be received before the announcement closes:
1. Cover Letter (optional)
2. Resume. Please include full descriptions of duties and responsibilities that include the from-and-to dates (month/year). For the current position held, you may put the from date to present.
3. Other supporting documents
Veteran's documentation (DD-214 member 4 copy, dated VA Letter, SF-15), if applicable
CTAP or ICTAP documents, if applicable
SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), if applicable: Current career and career-conditional Federal employees must submit a copy of their most recent SF-50, which shows competitive service appointment, tenure group, grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, you must provide an SF-50 which shows the length of time you have been in the next lower grade level. (Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, with-in grade/range increases, and SF-50s one or more years old).
Non-competitive eligibility supporting documentation, if applicable
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted before the announcement closes in order to receive consideration.
To begin your online application:
You will need to create a login.gov account, if you do not already have one. Your previous USAJOBS username and password will not work.
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.
This and other positions announced by STB may be filled using Schedule A, 5 CFR 213.3102(u). Schedule A is an excepted service hiring authority used to appoint persons with severe physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and intellectual disabilities. Such individuals may qualify for conversion to permanent status after two years of satisfactory service. Documentation of disability is required, i.e., a Schedule A Letter. Such documentation is used to verify that the applicant qualifies under Schedule A as an individual with an intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability. This documentation must be provided to the hiring agency at the time of application, before an individual can be hired. Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. Submission of a VA letter does not qualify as a Schedule A letter. If you are an individual with a disability and require an accommodation for the application process, please include the accommodation request with your Schedule A documentation. Reasonable accommodation requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Because the vacancy announcement you are viewing is a competitive announcement, in order to be considered for this position under the Schedule A hiring authority, you must email your Schedule A documentation and resume directly to Nilsa Grange at Nilsa.Grange@stb.gov, instead of going through the USA Jobs application process under this announcement.
Surface Transportation Board
395 E Street, SW
Washington, DC 20423
US
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. All applicants will be notified of their status by email throughout the process.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required and must be received before the announcement closes:
1. Cover Letter (optional)
2. Resume. Please include full descriptions of duties and responsibilities that include the from-and-to dates (month/year). For the current position held, you may put the from date to present.
3. Other supporting documents
Veteran's documentation (DD-214 member 4 copy, dated VA Letter, SF-15), if applicable
CTAP or ICTAP documents, if applicable
SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), if applicable: Current career and career-conditional Federal employees must submit a copy of their most recent SF-50, which shows competitive service appointment, tenure group, grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, you must provide an SF-50 which shows the length of time you have been in the next lower grade level. (Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, with-in grade/range increases, and SF-50s one or more years old).
Non-competitive eligibility supporting documentation, if applicable
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted before the announcement closes in order to receive consideration.
To begin your online application:
You will need to create a login.gov account, if you do not already have one. Your previous USAJOBS username and password will not work.
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.
This and other positions announced by STB may be filled using Schedule A, 5 CFR 213.3102(u). Schedule A is an excepted service hiring authority used to appoint persons with severe physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and intellectual disabilities. Such individuals may qualify for conversion to permanent status after two years of satisfactory service. Documentation of disability is required, i.e., a Schedule A Letter. Such documentation is used to verify that the applicant qualifies under Schedule A as an individual with an intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability. This documentation must be provided to the hiring agency at the time of application, before an individual can be hired. Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. Submission of a VA letter does not qualify as a Schedule A letter. If you are an individual with a disability and require an accommodation for the application process, please include the accommodation request with your Schedule A documentation. Reasonable accommodation requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Because the vacancy announcement you are viewing is a competitive announcement, in order to be considered for this position under the Schedule A hiring authority, you must email your Schedule A documentation and resume directly to Nilsa Grange at Nilsa.Grange@stb.gov, instead of going through the USA Jobs application process under this announcement.
Surface Transportation Board
395 E Street, SW
Washington, DC 20423
US
Next steps
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. All applicants will be notified of their status by email throughout the process.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
