The incumbent will be responsible for drafting and editing speeches for the USTDA leadership, developing marketing materials, presentations and briefs; drafts and reviews news releases, success stories, fact sheets, background papers and talking points; developing and implementing outreach and communications strategies; supporting the development of content for the Agency's website; and initiating and co-hosting events with Agency stakeholders.
Develops factually accurate and thoroughly researched communication tools, such as press releases, report summaries, blog posts, speeches, fact sheets, policy documents, briefing papers, website and social media content, and official correspondence.
Responds verbally or in writing to public requests for information.
Designs and oversees the production of USTDA documents, brochures, publications, webpage content, newsletters, press releases, public presentations, and blog postings.
Drafts and/or edits speeches, talking points, correspondence and briefing materials for senior Agency officials.
Collects information on industries/businesses and sectors that feeds into the Agency?s communications strategy and public affairs campaigns.
Writes and/or provides substantive contributions to major USTDA informational publications, including the Annual Report, budget requests to OMB and letters to Members of Congress.
Plans and develops USTDA-led events, often in collaboration with Agency program staff, involving U.S. industry and host-country partners, such as workshops, conferences and reverse trade missions.
Monitors domestic and international publications and compiles weekly press articles about or of interest to USTDA.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Suitable for Federal employment, determined by background investigation.
Direct Deposit of pay is required.
Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt.
Background and security investigation for Secret Clearance.
Qualifications
USTDA is seeking an international communications professional with experience in the development and execution of communication strategies and materials, the ability to distill complex policies/issues through clear messaging, and demonstrated experience writing speeches and other targeted materials in the areas of international trade and/or development.
Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described by the closing date of this announcement. Education may only be substituted for specialized experience at some grade levels in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management's Qualification Standards Handbook. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order to be credited toward qualifications.
At the GS-09 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. Education may be substituted for specialized experience at this level. Refer to the Education section of this announcement.
Examples of specialized experience for the GS-09 include:
Experience assisting in the research and development of communication tools, such as press releases, report summaries, blog posts, speeches, fact sheets, policy documents, briefing papers, website and social media content, and official correspondence.
Experience coordinating activities, programs, special events, public affairs campaigns with internal and external contacts.
Experience responding verbally and/or in writing to public inquiries.
At the GS-11 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. Education may be substituted for specialized experience at this level. Refer to the Education section of this announcement.
Examples of specialized experience for the GS-11 include:
Experience designing and overseeing the production public affairs documents, brochures, publications, webpage content, newsletters, press releases, public presentations, and blog postings.
Conducting research and compiling information related to the work of the organization.
At the GS-12 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, particularly as related to public affairs experience in the area of international trade and/or development. Education MAY NOT be substituted for specialized experience at this level.
Examples of specialized experience for the GS-12 include:
Experience planning public affairs events integrating media relations, social media, Congressional relations, internal information, and report preparation.
Supporting public affairs tactics, techniques, and procedures to support and amplify senior leaders' priorities, mission and organizational objectives.
At the GS-13 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, particularly as related to public affairs experience in the area of international trade and/or development. Education MAY NOT be substituted for specialized experience at this level.
Examples of specialized experience for the GS-13 include:
Writing speeches, drafting briefing materials, reports, and other official documents on behalf of the organization and leadership.
Executing comprehensive public affairs strategies integrating media relations, social media, community/Congressional relations, internal information, and report preparation.
Implementing public affairs tactics, techniques, and procedures to support and amplify senior leaders' priorities, mission and organizational objectives.
Experience evaluating the effectiveness of communication strategies and objectives.
Making recommendations to senior officials on communication strategies and public affairs campaigns.
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
If qualifying based on EDUCATION you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
Only education from institutions which are accredited or preaccredited/candidate for accreditation may be used to meet education requirements.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Note: Applicants who claim education substitution for specialized experience must provide transcripts as verification of their education at the time of application. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted with your application; however, official transcripts will be required upon selection.
GS-09 education substitution:
A masters degree or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D., if related in one of the following fields: Communications, Cultural & Media Studies, Journalism, or a closely related field. This education was obtained at an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college or university, OR
A combination of experience as described under Qualifications and education as described above, where the total percentage is equal to 100%. For example, 6 months of experience (50%) plus 1 full year of graduate education (50%) equals 100%.
GS-11 education substitution:
A 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 in one of the following fields: Communications, Cultural & Media Studies, Journalism, or a closely related field. This education was obtained at an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college or university, OR
A combination of experience as described under Qualifications and education as described above, where the total percentage is equal to 100%. For example, 6 months of experience (50%) plus 2.5 years of progressively higher graduate education, with at least 6 months beyond the level of a masters degree (50%) equals 100%.
Additional information
Telework Suitability:
The duties of this position are suitable for occasional telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval and if they meet the eligibility criterion in the 2010 Telework Act.
Stipulations of Employment:
Selection may require completion of a 1-year probationary period.
Applicants must be eligible to obtain and keep a Secret security clearance. Appointment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
Work Schedule:
This position allows for a flexible work schedule.
Miscellaneous:
TDA 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.
This position is being advertised concurrently with vacancy announcement # TDA-21-MP-10945715WO using Merit Promotion procedures. If interested, refer to that announcement to determine if you meet merit promotion requirements and can apply to that announcement. NOTE: You must apply separately to each announcement in order to be considered under both.
This vacancy announcement may be used to fill similar positions within 90 days.
If selection is made below the full performance level, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) will depend on the performance of the incumbent and are not guaranteed.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
For Category Rating: Once the application process is complete, qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. The categories for this announcement are defined as: Best-Qualified, Well-Qualified, and Qualified. Your resume and supporting documentation will then be used to determine if you are qualified for this job. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
Communications and Media
External Awareness
Leadership
Oral Communication
Organizational Awareness
Technical Competency -- Writing / Editing
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three," but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligible within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume listing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment mm/yy and duties performed.
2. Other supporting documents:
College transcript(s), if qualifying based on education or if this position has a basic education requirement
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
Cover Letter, optional
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If applicable, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. Failure to provide this documentation may result in a non preference determination. For more information on veterans' preference (see https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-employment-initiative/vet-guide/).
It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted prior to the closing date of the announcement.
Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: http://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.
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.
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 apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
If you have questions about thisjob, please contact the HR Office representative listed in the "Agency Contact Info" section of this vacancy announcement. If you need assistance in applying on-line, please refer to the How to Apply section above and explore the Federal Application Process information on the USAJobs website
For status updates on your application, please follow the directions listed above in the How to Apply section. Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. If you are selected for an interview for this position, you will be contacted directly. A final job offer for this position is typically made within several weeks after the closing date of the vacancy announcement. After confirming a job offer, all other applicants will be notified of their non-selection.
The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.
Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.
An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.
You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
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Learn more about
Trade and Development Agency
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project planning activities, pilot projects, and reverse trade missions, while creating sustainable infrastructure and economic growth in partner countries.
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