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Public Affairs Specialist

Department of Commerce
Office of the Inspector General
This job announcement has closed

Summary

We are seeking highly motivated professionals to join our team. If you want challenging work and a chance to make a big impact, come join us at the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Commerce! We improve the effectiveness of the Department's programs and operations. We also investigate waste, fraud, and abuse in the Department and those who do business with it.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/24/2020 to 10/08/2020
Salary
$102,663 to - $157,709 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Location
Washington, DC
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Travel may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Full-time
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Q Access Authorization
Drug test
Yes
Announcement number
DOC-OIG-2020-0079
Control number
579814400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All candidates who are: 1. Within the local commuting area and are current or former federal employees qualifying as Status Candidates, Federal employees currently serving on a VRA, CTAP/ICTAP eligibles, eligible for special hiring authorities (e.g., the Schedule A appointment for persons with disabilities, or covered by an Interchange Agreement), OR 2. Individuals, no matter where you reside, who are VEOA eligibles; OR 3. Land Management employees eligible under Public Law 114-47.

Duties

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As a Public Affairs Specialist, you will:

  • Assist in the development and implementation of a legislative strategy for the OIG based on insight developed through contact with congressional and other sources.
  • Assist OIG senior officials in the planning and development of OIG Congressional hearing testimony and associated background materials.
  • Establish and maintain professional relationships with congressional members, congressional staff, and various congressional committees that have oversight responsibilities for the Department of Commerce.
  • Assist OIG senior officials in the planning and execution of ongoing strategic congressional relations activities that provide OIG program information in both proactive and reactive modes, to Members of Congress and their staff.
  • Develop and maintain effective working relationships with members of the news media and other specialized groups interested in the programs, activities, and mission of the OIG.

These are the duties of this position at the GS-14. If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties, and will receive training to help you grow in this position.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
  • Please refer to "Conditions of Employment."
  • Must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals.

The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your resume.

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized experience: For the GS-14, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: experience monitoring legislative initiatives and active legislation, leading congressional engagements and managing correspondence. Examples of this experience may include:

  • Serving as the agency point of contact for Congressional committees and individual member offices to explain bureau policies and procedures, responding to inquiries, requests and correspondence regarding agency/bureau regulatory policies, programs, and actions; OR
  • Leading all aspects of responses to Congressional document requests and related briefings; OR
  • Preparing materials on programs and policies for presentation and/or use in briefings.

For the GS-13, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: experience monitoring legislative initiatives and active legislation, contributing to congressional engagements and correspondence. Examples of this experience may include:

  • Assisting the agency point of contact for Congressional committees and individual member offices to explain bureau policies and procedures, responding to inquiries, requests and correspondence regarding agency/bureau regulatory policies, programs, and actions; OR
  • Assisting the agency point of contact with responses to Congressional document requests and related briefings; OR
  • Assisting the agency point of contact in liaising with representatives of the media to provide timely and accurate explanations of agency announcements and activities; OR
  • Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of individuals within your organization.

Time-in-Grade:
In addition to the above requirements, you must meet the following time-in-grade requirement, if applicable:

For the GS-14, you must have been at the GS-13 level for 52 weeks.

For the GS-13, you must have been at the GS-12 level for 52 weeks.

Time After Competitive Appointment:
Candidates who are current Federal employees serving on a non-temporary competitive appointment must have served at least three months in that appointment.

Additional information

- We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. 
- This is a non-bargaining unit position.
- A recruitment incentive may be offered. 
- Student loan repayment may be offered.
- We offer opportunities for telework.
- We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- A one year probationary period may be required.
- Must successfully complete a background investigation.
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency
- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
- Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
- Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9.  Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
- Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.
- Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
- Secret  – Background Investigation will be required.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application includes your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a “not qualified” determination.

Rating: Your application will be evaluated in the following areas:

  • Communication Skills
  • Analytical Skills
  • Technical Skills

Your application will be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, training, performance appraisals and awards relevant to the duties of this position. Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration.  You may be required to participate in a selection interview.  We will not reimburse costs related to the interview such as travel to and from the interview site. 

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)) you must receive a score of 85 or better to be rated as “well qualified" to receive special selection priority.


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