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Public Affairs Specialist (Media Relations)

Department of Commerce
Minority Business Development Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Legislative, Education and Intergovernmental Affairs (OLEIA) which serves as the focal point for all legislative and intergovernmental activities, strategic alliances, public affairs and event management.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
06/28/2019 to 07/07/2019
Salary
$69,581 to - $108,422 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 12
Location
Washington, DC
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12 - If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you may be non-competitively promoted if you perform successfully and if recommended by management.
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
MBDA-OND-2019-0011
Control number
538185300

Duties

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The incumbent serves as the Agency’s POC for Media Relations. In conjunction with MBDA’s Lead Public Affairs Specialist, incumbent plans and executes public information programs and specific public relations campaigns.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

  • Actively pitches media to promote the Agency’s publications, events, initiatives, and programs across digital and traditional media platforms. 
  • Plans and implements press conferences, issue briefings and other media related events. 
  • Works with radio, television, printed media and editors of on-line news sources, as well as organizational groups and business communities, to ensure coverage and support of MBDA objectives. 
  • Responds to media inquiries, organize, plans and coordinates media interviews and agency information programs. 
  • Writes and contributes articles, blogs and stories on business-related topics to Agency newsletters, website and other communication outlets. 
  • Drafts and edits executive-level speeches, talking points, radio scripts, opinion editorials and other types of multi-media presentations consistent with Agency messages and priorities.

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Public Affairs Specialist (Media Relations), GS-1035-11/12, FPL 12 positions within MBDA in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

This position is also being announced concurrently under Delegated Examining vacancy number: MBDA-OND-2019-0010. Applicants who wish to be considered under MAP and DE must apply to both vacancies separately.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a suitable for Federal employment.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • You must be registered for Selective Service if applicable (www.sss.gov).

  • A one year probationary period may be required.
  • Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.

Security Clearance: This position requires that you obtain and maintain a Low Risk Security Clearance.

Qualifications

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards.  This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ .


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.

To qualify for the GS-11 level: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is:

  1. Writing press statements, media advisories, press releases, and informational materials for dissemination through a variety of media.
  2. Assisting in writing executive level speeches and presentations, drafting business and industry talking points, and articles of journalistic quality.
  3. Develop and maintain effective professional relationships with local and national media.

         or

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree


          or

3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related

COMBINATION OF SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Applicants may qualify based on a combination of specialized experience and education. Experience and successfully-completed education at the appropriate level (see above) may be combined to meet the total qualification requirements for the GS-11.

To qualify for the GS-12 level: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal Service. For this position, in addition to GS-11 requirements (above), specialized experience is:

  1. Writing press statements, media advisories, press releases, and informational materials for dissemination through a variety of media.
  2. Writing executive level speeches and presentations, drafting business and industry talking points, and articles of journalistic quality.
  3. Develop and maintain effective professional relationships with local and national media.
  4. Develop promotional campaigns to elevate minority business development issues to achieve the highest levels of public awareness.

Education cannot be substituted for experience at this level

Additional information

CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100.  Information about ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management’s Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition

CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

  1. A copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice).
  2. A copy of your SF-50 “Notification of Personnel Action”, noting current position, grade level, and duty location;
  3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:

  1. A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
  2. A copy of your SF-50 “Notification of Personnel Action” documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc;
  3. A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  4. Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire (True/False, Yes/No, Multiple Choice questions) and place you in one of the three pre-defined categories. The categories are “gold”, “silver” and “bronze”. However, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Candidates placed in the “gold” category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

How you will be evaluated for preference eligibility: Within each category, those entitled to veterans’ preference will be listed at the top of the pre-defined category for which they are placed. Preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category (gold) depending on the position and grade level of the job. For more information on Category Rating, please go to Category Rating.

The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:

  1. Skill in developing promotional activities and materials to elevate development issues and program areas to achieve the highest public awareness.
  2. Knowledge of media relations, public affairs, communications, marketing and branding programs.
  3. Ability to plan, coordinate and implement press conferences and similar events
  4. Ability to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with local and national media.
  5. Skill in writing press statements, media advisories, press releases, and informational materials for dissemination through a variety of media.

To preview questions please click here.

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