Current Federal employees serving under career/career-conditional appointment in the competitive service; former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; CTAP/ICTAP eligibles; Veterans Employment Opportunities Act; Veterans Recruitment Appointment; 30% or More Disabled Veterans; Military Spouses under Executive Order 13473; Individuals with Disabilities; eligible Peace Corps or AmeriCorps volunteers; Public Land Corps eligibles & Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act eligibles.
-Works with and supports Regional Office Staff with their internal and external communication needs.
-Prepares written materials to promote the organization's position on a variety of sensitive, controversial and/or complex issues.
-Coordinates the development and implementation of communication efforts involving multiple internal and external partners, ensuring alignment with strategic communications goals and messages.
-Creates graphics, Web applications, and other multimedia products to be used online or in various communication mediums.
You must submit a resume and supporting documentation (See How to Apply).
Current/former Federal employees must submit an SF-50.
For veterans consideration, submit document(s) under Required Documents.
Suitable for Federal employment, determined by background investigation.
You must meet education and/or specialized experience (Qualifications).
You must meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade restrictions and any selective placement 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).
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree -OR- 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree -OR- L.L.M., if related -OR- 1 year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service -OR- a combination of successfully completed graduate education and experience.
DEFINITION OF SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: To meet specialized experience, your resume must describe experience that demonstrates the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities as follows:
GS-11: Specialized experience in at least 4 of the following: experience in Associated Press style news writing and editing; experience preparing written material to promote an organization and/or convey sensitive and/or complex issues; experience in page layout and design, using Adobe InDesign; experience in videography and/or still photography and editing; experience with web applications and software to create and maintain web pages; experience speaking before small and large groups.
Education
This vacancy announcement allows substituting education for experience. You must submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable) to support your education if you are substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include the name of the college or university and date the degree was conferred.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, applicants must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For further information visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Additional information
-Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval.
-Operation of a Government vehicle is required; therefore, a valid State driver's license is required. Driving record will be verified prior to final selection.
-This position has been designated as a Public Trust, (Moderate Risk) position. This requires a Tier 2 background investigation. You must successfully obtain and maintain this investigation level as a condition of employment. You will be required to undergo and successfully pass a reinvestigation of your background every 5 years.
-Selective Service: If you are a male applicant 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. For more information visit: www.sss.gov
-Equal Employment Opportunity: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability and genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.
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.
Working for the Bureau of Reclamation offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
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.
Human Resources (HR) will review resumes and supporting document(s) to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. HR will evaluate each application that meets the basic qualifications on the information provided in the assessment questionnaire. The assessment questionnaire will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. 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 your resume and responses to the online questions.
1. Skill in dealing with a variety of people in all types of situations. 2. Knowledge and skill in using IT (Information Technology) hardware and multimedia software equipment to complete assignments. 3. Knowledge and skills in performing Public Affairs functions. 4. Ability to prioritize and organize work.
Applicants’ answers to questions will be verified against information provided in their online resumes. Be sure that the resume clearly supports the response to all the questions by addressing experience, education and/or training relevant to this position. Applicants must make a fair and accurate assessment of their qualifications. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is apparent in your description of experience, competencies, skills, and/or education/training OR that your resume/application is incomplete, you may be rated ineligible or your score may be lowered.
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.
Working for the Bureau of Reclamation offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
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.
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:
-TRANSCRIPT(S): If substituting education for experience, applicants MUST furnish a copy of your college transcript(s). If selected, you will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify your educational qualifications prior to reporting for work.
-SF-50, NOTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ACTION: Status applicants (transfer, reassignment, reinstatement, promotion, etc.) MUST submit a copy of their SF-50, verifying all of the following: highest rate of pay held, the full performance grade level obtained, and documenting career or career-conditional status in the competitive service (Tenure 1 or 2) for which you are claiming eligibility. This could result in more than one SF-50 to be submitted.DO NOT SUBMIT AN AWARD SF-50. FAILURE TO SUBMIT AN SF-50 VERIFYING STATUS WILL RESULT IN THE APPLICANT NOT BEING CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.
-DD-214: For candidates eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) you must submit the appropriate DD-214 documenting service under honorable conditions 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 notates service under honorable conditions.
-Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Eligibles: If you are a current or former land management agency appointee eligible for this special appointing authority– 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.
-Public Land Corps (PLC) Eligibles: An individual’s eligibility for this non-competitive hiring status extends until 120 days after the completion of the individual’s last PLC project. For consideration under this hiring status, applicants must have served a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service on appropriate conservation projects and at least 120 hours served on a project utilizing the PLC legal authority. Applicants must submit documentation of this work by submitting their PLC Certificate of Noncompetitive Hiring Status Eligibility signed by the Line Officer. For more information on PLC and applicable eligibility requirements, visit: https: www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/elips/documents/public_land_corps_hiring_authority.pdf
-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, documentation 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 placement factors, education and experience requirements and score at least 85 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/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp
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.
Applications (resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documents) 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 on the right side of any page.
This vacancy is being announced through Bureau of Reclamation's Hiring System--HireMe. For more information about the HireMe system and the registration process, visit: https://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 your USAJOBS profile - instructions provided during the online application process. In addition, you may E-mail your supporting documentation to gphireme@usbr.gov; fax directly to the HR Office at 406-247-7875; mail to P.O. Box 36900, Billings, MT 59107-6900; OR hand-deliver to 2021 4th Avenue North, Room 109, Billings, MT. Include your name and the vacancy number on the supporting document(s).
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at the phone number shown at the bottom of this page. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
P.O. Box 36900
Billings, Montana 59107-6900
United States
Next steps
After application packages have been received resumes and supporting document(s)will be reviewed to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. Applicants who meet 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.
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:
-TRANSCRIPT(S): If substituting education for experience, applicants MUST furnish a copy of your college transcript(s). If selected, you will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify your educational qualifications prior to reporting for work.
-SF-50, NOTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ACTION: Status applicants (transfer, reassignment, reinstatement, promotion, etc.) MUST submit a copy of their SF-50, verifying all of the following: highest rate of pay held, the full performance grade level obtained, and documenting career or career-conditional status in the competitive service (Tenure 1 or 2) for which you are claiming eligibility. This could result in more than one SF-50 to be submitted.DO NOT SUBMIT AN AWARD SF-50. FAILURE TO SUBMIT AN SF-50 VERIFYING STATUS WILL RESULT IN THE APPLICANT NOT BEING CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.
-DD-214: For candidates eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) you must submit the appropriate DD-214 documenting service under honorable conditions 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 notates service under honorable conditions.
-Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Eligibles: If you are a current or former land management agency appointee eligible for this special appointing authority– 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.
-Public Land Corps (PLC) Eligibles: An individual’s eligibility for this non-competitive hiring status extends until 120 days after the completion of the individual’s last PLC project. For consideration under this hiring status, applicants must have served a minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service on appropriate conservation projects and at least 120 hours served on a project utilizing the PLC legal authority. Applicants must submit documentation of this work by submitting their PLC Certificate of Noncompetitive Hiring Status Eligibility signed by the Line Officer. For more information on PLC and applicable eligibility requirements, visit: https: www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/elips/documents/public_land_corps_hiring_authority.pdf
-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, documentation 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 placement factors, education and experience requirements and score at least 85 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/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp
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.
Applications (resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documents) 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 on the right side of any page.
This vacancy is being announced through Bureau of Reclamation's Hiring System--HireMe. For more information about the HireMe system and the registration process, visit: https://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 your USAJOBS profile - instructions provided during the online application process. In addition, you may E-mail your supporting documentation to gphireme@usbr.gov; fax directly to the HR Office at 406-247-7875; mail to P.O. Box 36900, Billings, MT 59107-6900; OR hand-deliver to 2021 4th Avenue North, Room 109, Billings, MT. Include your name and the vacancy number on the supporting document(s).
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at the phone number shown at the bottom of this page. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
P.O. Box 36900
Billings, Montana 59107-6900
United States
Next steps
After application packages have been received resumes and supporting document(s)will be reviewed to ensure applicants meet the basic qualification requirements. Applicants who meet 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.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
