You will serve as a PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST for the Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA), Field Operations Center East - FOCE in Atlanta, Georgia. This position is responsible for planning, organizing and preparing press releases, photos flyers, and presentations, as well as coordinating written and oral communications of the ODA directed to specific targeted audiences within the public, the media, and the Federal, State and local governments.
Summary
You will serve as a PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST for the Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA), Field Operations Center East - FOCE in Atlanta, Georgia. This position is responsible for planning, organizing and preparing press releases, photos flyers, and presentations, as well as coordinating written and oral communications of the ODA directed to specific targeted audiences within the public, the media, and the Federal, State and local governments.
As a PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST at the GS-1035-9, some of your typical work assignments may include:
Writes and edits correspondence to public officials and private organizations about individual loan cases or general disaster program information.
As directed by senior Public Affairs staff, participates in the preparation of press releases, flyers/brochures, fact sheets, public service announcements, presentations, photographs, slides, compact discs and video.
Participates in the process of monitoring newspaper, radio, television, and internet coverage of the disaster program and provides supplemental information.
Documents activities for each disaster and establishes reference files for each disaster and location.Uses advanced Microsoft Office skills with an emphasis on PowerPoint and Access databases as well as desktop publishing to serve as an ODA information link providing explanations and written materials.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
The salary range above reflects the employee's base salary. Locality Pay will be added based on the location of the employee's residence.
Your primary residence is considered your official duty station.
The Term Appointment does not confer competitive status, or reinstatement rights, on the individual selected. You may be promoted or reassigned to another Term position within SBA's Office of Disaster Assistance; however, you may not be appointed non-competitively to another Federal position. You will initially be given a Term Appointment exceeding one year. If all other conditions of employment are met, this appointment may be extended, in increments, up to a total of four (4) years.
If selected, employees work on an intermittent (on-call) work schedule. This means that employees are in pay and duty status only when activated to respond to a disaster. When the disaster is over, employees return home in non-pay status until the next event that necessitates staff needed to respond.
Mandatory Overtime: In order to respond quickly and efficiently to disaster survivors, substantial compensated overtime hours may be required while on assignment (up to seven days a week and twelve to fourteen hours a day).
Travel may be for extended periods with little or no advance notice. Travel expenses are compensated based on SBA policy and Federal regulations. In addition, employees may encounter hazardous working and/or living conditions; i.e., no water or electricity and/or minimal lodging facilities.
You must be able to obtain and maintain a Government travel credit card.
Favorable background investigation and credit check are required.
Credit Score must be at least 500.
You may be required to complete a one-year trial period.
Qualifications
Generally, time in Non-Pay status is not creditable towards the specialized experience requirement listed below. You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
You may qualify based on experience, education or a combination of both.
Experience:
To receive credit, you must indicate the month and year as well as the average hours worked per week for each employer. Average work hours must be stated on resume to quantify each period of work experience or that experience will not be credited toward meeting the specialized experience requirement.
You must address the specific specialized experience required for each grade level of this position on your resume or application or you will be rated "Ineligible" for that grade level.
GS-09: To qualify you must have at least 1 full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the GS-07 level in the Federal service that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skill, and ability to perform successfully in this position. This experience may have been gained in a Non-Federal service position. In addition, this Specialized Experience must demonstrate the following:
Assisting with preparing and disseminating news releases and articles for the media;
Attending and communicating program information at local events, such as press conferences, town hall meetings, or meetings with other targeted audiences; AND
Utilizing at least two of the following Microsoft Office functions: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Desktop Publishing.
OR
Education
If qualifying based on education, you must submit transcripts by the closing date of this announcement or you will not be found eligible.
GS-09: Master's degree or equivalent, in a related field, from an accredited college or university or two full years (36 semester hours or equivalent) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a related field.
OR
A combination of experience and education as indicated above.
Additional information
Intermittent employees generally are not eligible for Federal benefits (life insurance, health insurance, retirement). However, if enrolled in benefits in the preceding appointment, those benefits will continue in this position provided there is no break in service of more than 3 days. Also, if you work or are expected to work at least 90 consecutive days and 130 hours per month, you will become eligible for health insurance benefits only. If you are in a non-pay status for 365 days your Federal health and/or life benefits will terminate.
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.
The Small Business Administration is committed to building a high-performing, 21st century workforce that possesses the following core attributes: cultural astuteness, technological proficiency, articulate, strong writing capabilities, superior conflict resolution skills, and exceptional presentation skills. Candidates should be prepared as they may be further evaluated on these attributes throughout the application and selection process.
For this vacancy, the Office of Disaster Personnel will use a Category Rating system to refer qualified applicants for consideration. This is a three-step process. First, your resume or other application is evaluated to determine if you meet the Qualifications, including the Specialized Experience described above, for the grade level(s) that you are applying for. Secondly, if you meet the minimum qualifications requirements, your responses to the questionnaire, including narrative responses, if applicable, will be compared to your resume or other application. If your resume does not support the answers you gave on the questionnaire, you may be rated "Ineligible" or you may be placed in a lower category. Third, your name will be placed in one of the three following categories:
Best-Qualified - highly proficient with an overall comprehensive level of knowledge, skills and abilities related to this position.
Well-Qualified - competent in the position with an overall accomplished level of knowledge, skills and abilities related to this position.
Qualified - an overall basic level of knowledge, skills and abilities related to this position.
Application of Veterans' Preference: The Category Rating process protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-veterans within each quality category. All the veterans must be selected before any non-veterans within each category.
For this position, disabled veterans who meet minimum qualifications for this position and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% (CPS & CP) are placed at the top of the Best-Qualified category regardless of which category they would otherwise be assigned to.
Preference eligibles who do not have a service-connected disability of 10% or more (XP or TP) are placed at the top of their quality category.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:
Communications and Media, Computer Skills, Customer Service, Organizational Awareness, and Writing
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume showing hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. Completed Questionnaire
College Transcript(s), if qualifying based on education.
Unofficial transcripts may be submitted during the application process; however, official transcripts will be required if selected.
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 or other DD-214 copy showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
Your latest resume submitted for this position will be used to determine qualification determinations and supersedes previous submissions.
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:
1. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP):
If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, provide a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal (which must show at least a "fully successful" rating or equivalent), and proof of eligibility, i.e., a RIF separation notice or Certification of Expected Separation, and SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. In addition to meeting all qualification requirements and selective placement factors (if applicable), CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the Well-Qualified criteria for the position in order to be given priority consideration. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is also on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at: CTAP/ICTAP.
2. If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.
3. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/22/2019 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application.
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Field Operations Center East - FOCE
101 Marietta Street NW, Suite 700
Atlanta, GA 30303
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume showing hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. Completed Questionnaire
College Transcript(s), if qualifying based on education.
Unofficial transcripts may be submitted during the application process; however, official transcripts will be required if selected.
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 or other DD-214 copy showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
Your latest resume submitted for this position will be used to determine qualification determinations and supersedes previous submissions.
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:
1. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP):
If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, provide a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal (which must show at least a "fully successful" rating or equivalent), and proof of eligibility, i.e., a RIF separation notice or Certification of Expected Separation, and SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. In addition to meeting all qualification requirements and selective placement factors (if applicable), CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the Well-Qualified criteria for the position in order to be given priority consideration. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is also on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at: CTAP/ICTAP.
2. If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.
3. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/22/2019 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application.
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Field Operations Center East - FOCE
101 Marietta Street NW, Suite 700
Atlanta, GA 30303
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
