This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/523035000. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Reclamation is seeking a seasoned Public Affairs Officer ready for an opportunity to provide direction and expert technical advice in communicating the Region's programs and policies.
This position is located with the Bureau of Reclamation, Office of Public Affairs in Sacramento, CA. For more information on the Sacramento area visit: http://www.co.sacramento.ca.us.
01/31/2019 to 02/13/2019
$111,587 - $145,064 per year
GS 14
1 vacancy in the following location:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
50% or less - Travel is required approximately 25% to 50% of the time.
Yes—Travel and relocation expenses are authorized. Eligibility for specific relocation services will be determined at the time of selection. However, use of Relocation Services Contract (Guaranteed Home Sale) will not be authorized. Note that in accordance with the 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Public Law 115-97, all relocation expenses are now classified as taxable.
Permanent
Full-time - Full Time
Competitive
14
Yes
No
BR-MP-2019-039
523035000
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
Current Federal Employees serving under career or career-conditional appointments; Former Federal Employees with reinstatement eligibility; Current and Former Overseas Employees; VRA, VEOA and 30% Disabled Veterans; Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A); Military Spouse; Peace Corps; AmeriCorps; Vista; Current or Former time-limited employees eligible under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA); and CTAP and ICTAP eligibles.
Serves as the Region’s Public Affairs Officer, managing and directing the planning and operation of public information and news media contact programs, and assuring regional public involvement and participation in decision processes of the Bureau of Reclamation.
-Conducts the internal and external public affairs program for the region with responsibility for planning, developing, and communicating the organization's programs, policies and activities to the regional public.
-Executes public affairs policy, performs regional program and budget development relative to public affairs, and executes and evaluates the overall public affairs program in the region.
-Develops and coordinates information plans and activities designed to achieve public understanding, and where appropriate, acceptance of the major programs and highly controversial and sensitive issues of Reclamation and the Department of the Interior.
-Clears, acts on, and reserves for the Regional Director's attention a wide variety and volume of public affairs related operational products crossing the spectrum of Reclamation programs and staff activities.
-Advises the Regional Director and other officials regarding Congressional and Legislative liaison, news media contacts and interview protocol.
-Writes and reviews speeches related to regional programs for Reclamation and Department officials, assuring comprehensive coverage and public information effectiveness.
-Coordinates public information contacts and meetings between the Regional Director and Senators, Congressional officials and their staffs, as well as executives and officials in State and local governments.
-Plans, prepares and assists in conducting news media conferences held in the Region by the Secretary and other Secretarial and Reclamation officials on subjects related to highly controversial aspects of Reclamation and Departmental programs.
-Serves as a second line supervisor, directing a group of technical and administrative personnel in the performance of public affairs program activities.
-Supports the EEO program actively in day-to-day activities.
-Represents the region on behalf of the Regional Director in a wide range of capacities.
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade restrictions and any selective factors, by the closing date of this announcement.
Time-in-Grade: Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b).
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience as defined below:
GS-14: One year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service.
Definition of Specialized Experience: To meet specialized experience, your resume must describe experience that demonstrates the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities as follows:
GS-14: Experience directing all aspects of a multi-layered organization’s public affairs program. This includes most of the following: responsibility for planning, designing, and executing a program to inform and educate general and specialized publics about the organization's programs, projects, and activities; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with members of the news media, stakeholders, and specialized groups interested in the organization's programs; responding to information requests on organization's programs in written and oral form, often requiring detailed explanations of negative comments made on the organization's activities or performance in a particular situation; providing assistance and consultation to field offices in initiating and maintaining direct contacts with the general public, specialized groups, community, and governmental entities; and advising senior management of attitudes of customers and stakeholders as well as reactions, achievements, and criticisms. Experience must also include exercising supervisory responsibilities (planning and assigning work to be accomplished by subordinates, setting and adjusting short-term priorities, and preparing schedules for completion of work; evaluating work performance; providing advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters.)
These examples are not all inclusive.
Experience that would not normally be part of an applicant's position may be creditable when documented by satisfactory evidence (e.g., a memorandum from the manager or human resources director, SF-52, or similar documentation).
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.
Relocation: Travel and relocation expenses are authorized. Eligibility for specific relocation services will be determined at the time of selection. However, use of Relocation Services Contract (Guaranteed Home Sale) will not be authorized. Note that in accordance with the 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Public Law 115-97, all relocation expenses are now classified as taxable.
Telework: Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.
Conditions of Employment:
-This position requires completion of a one-year probationary period, unless you have previously met this requirement.
-This is a supervisory position. If appointed to this position, you must serve a one-year supervisory probationary period, unless you have previously met this requirement.
-Successful adjudication of personnel security investigation required.
-Travel is required approximately 25-50% of the time.
-Operation of a government vehicle is required; therefore, you must possess and maintain a valid State’s driver’s license.
-Available to work more than 8 hours per day, on-call, weekends and holidays.
-Required to file an annual Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 450.
-All Federal employees are required by PL 104-134 to have federal payments made by direct deposit.
-Required to obtain and use a government-issued credit card.
Optional Form 306 (OF-306): Before final appointment and again before you begin work, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.
For a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Federal hiring process visit: Federal Hiring Process FAQ
DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit:http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Human Resources (HR) will review resumes and transcript(s) to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided in the assessment questionnaire. The assessment questionnaire will take approximately 60 minutes. Applicants determined best-qualified will be referred to the selecting official.
Applicants will be further evaluated on the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) through their resume and responses to the online questions.
1. Mastery of communication principles, methods, practice and techniques, and analytical methods to plan and direct a public affairs or public involvement program that requires a high degree of communication expertise to gain cooperation with individuals or groups that are contentious or that have conflicting interests with respect to controversial or sensitive issues.
2. Knowledge and skill sufficient for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals having opposing points of view and conflicting interests.
3. Ability to supervise, perform various personnel management tasks, and direct the work of others in the performance of public communication and information activities.
Applicants must make a fair and accurate assessment of their qualifications. Applicants rating themselves higher than is apparent in their description of experience, competencies, skills, and/or education/training OR that copy vacancy announcement posting information verbatim into resume OR whose resume/application is incomplete may be removed from employment consideration.
To be considered for this position, applicants are required to submit a resume (with dates of employment, i.e. years and months), an on-line assessment questionnaire, and the following supporting documents, as appropriate:
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action: Status applicants (transfer, reassignment, reinstatement, promotion, etc.) must submit a copy of their SF-50, verifying highest rate of pay and documenting career or career-conditional status in the competitive service (Tenure 1 or 2) for which you are claiming eligibility. Failure to submit an SF-50 verifying status may result in the applicant not being considered for this position.
DD-214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214, and you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.
-For 5-point veterans' preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 Copy), or an official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
-For 10-point veterans' preference, please submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the required documentation requested by this form.
For candidates eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) you must submit the appropriate DD-214 (Member 4 Copy) documenting your eligibility.
For information on veteran's eligibility visit: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx
Special Non-Competitive Appointing Authorities: For more information on special non-competitive appointing authorities visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/hiring-authorities/
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Eligibles: If you are a current or former land management agency appointee – you must provide documentation to verify eligibility as follows: a) A copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that reflects having initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited (temporary/term) appointment; b) A copy of SF-50(s), Notification of Personnel Action(s), that reflect having served under one (1) or more time-limited (temporary/term) appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two (2) or more years; and (c) A copy of your Performance Appraisal Plan and/or Supervisor Memorandum that reflects having performed at an acceptable level during each period of service. For more information on LMWFA, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/land-management/
CTAP/ICTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be well-qualified, i.e. meet the minimum qualification requirements, including selective factors, education and experience requirements and score at least 90 on the assessment questionnaire as established, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP/ICTAP, visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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.
Applications (resume and assessment questionnaire) for this vacancy MUST be received online BEFORE midnight Eastern Time (Washington D.C. time) on the closing date of this announcement. When you're ready to apply, click the blue APPLY ONLINE button at the side of any page. When you have finished with your application, click the SUBMIT APPLICATION button on the bottom of the REVIEW PAGE. Your application will not be received unless you click SUBMIT APPLICATION.
This vacancy is being announced through the Bureau of Reclamation's Hiring System--HireMe. For more information about the HireMe system and the registration process, visit: http://www.usbr.gov/hr/hireme.html
As part of the on-line application process, applicants may be required to submit supporting documents. Failure to submit the requested supporting documents may result in your not being considered for this position.
Options for submitting supporting documentation include Auto Requested Fax or uploading from a USAJOBS profile (instructions are provided during the online application process.) In addition, applicants may e-mail their supporting documentation to mpjobs@usbr.gov, fax directly to the HR Office at 916-978-5496, or mail or hand-deliver to USBR/ATTN: HR, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825. Include your name and the vacancy number on the supporting document(s).
Applicants needing assistance in applying online should contact the HR Office at 916-978-5476 or Federal Relay at http://www.federalrelay.us/. The Federal Relay website contains information for TDD/TTY users to receive free needed service. If applying online poses a hardship, contact the HR Office prior to the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying.
After all application packages have been received, resumes and transcripts will be reviewed to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. Each applicant who meets the basic qualifications will be further evaluated on the information provided in the Assessment Questionnaire. Best-qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official. After making a tentative job offer, a suitability and/or security background investigation will be conducted. A final job offer is typically made within 40 days after the deadline for applications. Applicants should monitor their status for positions with the Bureau of Reclamation by regularly checking their public status notifications in their USAJOBS profile.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/523035000. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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Reclamation is a contemporary water management agency. Reclamation is best known for Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River, Shasta Dam on the Sacramento River, and Folsom Dam on the American River. Today we are the largest wholesaler of water in the country and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the western United States. Visit: http://www.usbr.gov/
View our video titled "Traditions, Talent, and Teamwork" at: http://www.usbr.gov/hr/Video/