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PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Consumer Product Safety Commission
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Headquarters Office of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Communications. The Office is responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of national information and public affairs programs designed to promote product safety. The Office is also responsible for implementing the Commission's media relations program nationwide.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
04/17/2019 to 04/28/2019
Salary
$83,398 to - $128,920 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
Bethesda, MD
FEW vacancies
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
1600CM-2019-0003
Control number
530780200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

UNITED STATES CITIZENS MAY APPLY (no prior federal experience is required).

Duties

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A Public Affairs Specialist at the CPSC creates and implements public information campaigns and outreach activities to promote consumer safety and prevent unintentional injuries. From writing press releases, to developing safety alerts and audio/visual information, to planning press conferences and public outreach events, the top priority is disseminating information concerning the mission, programs and accomplishments of the CPSC. You have an opportunity to make a difference and save lives.

The incumbent serves as a spokesperson for the CPSC, conducting media interviews with broadcast, print, and online media on a variety of consumer product safety issues. Must be able to create content and write in a clear and concise manner on a variety of topics. Responsible for writing agency news releases, Web material, and other communications products used for creating, implementing and disseminating public information about defective products, emerging hazards, and seasonal hazards. Contributes to CPSC’s social media outreach, writing tweets, blogs and other platforms as they are utilized by the agency.

Coordinates and formulates statements and materials for use in speeches, talking points, press releases, etc. Determines the need for and devises special consumer education programs to address safety issues, Congressional requests and meetings with businesses, consumer groups and other organizations. Engages and works effectively with the news media on consumer safety issues.

Manages the printing, storage, and dissemination of publications for CPSC. This includes coordinating the annual printing plans and updating of publications; and coordinating the contractor’s response to field office requests for publications. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S Citizenship Required.
  • Background Investigation Required.

Must be a U.S. Citizen.

This is a Public Trust Position. Employment in this position requires a background investigation. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed or undisclosed background issues, the tentative employment offer may be withdrawn.

If you are a male born after December 31, 1959 you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Please see http://www.sss.gov for more information.

Selectees will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to appointment and the appropriate background investigation forms to determine suitability for Federal employment.  False statements or responses on these forms can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.

The selectee will be required to complete a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the I-9 Form. We will compare information provided on the I-9 Form to records available from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  The system confirms employee’s identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

You are applying under Delegated Examining and if selected under this authority, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period, even if you are a transfer from another federal agency.  

Qualifications

Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Applicants must meet the qualifications for this position within thirty (30) days of the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

GS-12: 1) participating in executing and evaluating a media relations program 2) participating in planning, guiding, conducting, coordinating and evaluating a national information and/or public affairs campaign a national information and/or public affairs campaign 3) experience writing and editing all or part of communication material in a clear and concise manner.

GS-13:  1) managing, executing and evaluating a media relations program 2) managing the planning, guiding, conducting, coordinating and evaluating a national information and/or public affairs campaign 3) expertise in writing and editing complex communication materials on a variety of topics in a clear and concise manner.

Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held.  Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience.

 

Education

There is no education substitution for specialized experience for the advertised grade levels.

Additional information

CPSC provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement.

Payment of relocation expenses is NOT authorized.

All the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application, by checking reference and through other means, such as the interview process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for not hiring you or for firing you after you begin work.

Additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement.

 

 

How you will be evaluated

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

After the vacancy closes, we will review your application package to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your responses to the questionnaire, resume and supporting documentation will then be reviewed.  You will be placed in one of the three pre-defined categories. Your responses to the questionnaire will serve as the basis for your initial rating in one of three pre-defined categories: "best", "better", and "good". Within each category, those eligible through veterans preference will be listed at the top of the category. Your resume must support your answers to the questionnaire, or your category may be changed. The candidates in the highest category will be certified for referral to the selecting official and may be invited to an interview.


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