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Public Affairs Specialist

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

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Commerce,Minority Business Development Agency, Washington, District of Columbia. The primary purpose of this position is to inform and educate both internal and external audiences about the opportunities available through MBDA, its mission, and activities.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
09/24/2021 to 10/07/2021
Salary
$87,198 to - $134,798 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
Washington, DC
few vacancies
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
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
DE-11233708-21-KM
Control number
614856900

Duties

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  • Plan public information programs and specific relations campaigns.
  • Respond to media inquiries and coordinate media interviews.
  • Review public opinions and reactions to organizational digital content.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
  • You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.
  • A probationary period may be required.
  • Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
  • If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
  • License required: No
  • Pre-employment physical required: No
  • Bargaining Unit Position: Yes
  • Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience:
GS-13: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal government, performing the following duties:

  • Developing recommendations to improve a public affairs program;
  • Writing press statements, media advisories, press releases, and/or informational materials for dissemination through a variety of media;
  • Developing executive level speeches and presentations;
  • Utilizing a variety of electronic media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, blogs, etc.) to develop plans to launce information campaigns;
  • Create digital graphics to use on social media channels or websites using photo-editing and/or graphics-design software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, or similar software;
  • Promoting awareness using digital communications strategies to support the mission, programs, and activities of an organization.
GS-12: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal government, performing the following duties:
  • Assisting in the development of plans to launch information campaigns through a variety of electronic media such as an organizational website or social networking site (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube Instagram, blogs, etc.);
  • Utilizing photo-editing and/or graphics-design software (e.g, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, or similar software) to create digital graphics to use on social media channels or websites;
  • Assisting with planning press conferences and/or similar events.

NOTE(s):
  • Education: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts (official or unofficial) to document education.
  • Experience: Your resume must support your claim of experience or you may be found ineligible.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

NOTE: 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.

Education

Education may not be used or combined to qualify for this position.

Additional information

Promotion Potential: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.


Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Commerce requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation as a condition of placement in this Noncritical Sensitive position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.

The physical worksite for this position is located in Washington, District of Columbia . However, the Minority Business Development Agency is currently under a maximum telework posture due to the COVID-19 pandemic; therefore, this position is currently under a 100 percent telework schedule. The position's telework schedule will likely change in the future when Minority Business Development Agency moves away from its maximum telework posture. At that time, the incumbent will be expected to report to the physical work site in accordance with the updated status requirements of their supervisor. The nature and scope of future telework opportunities will be subject to the unit's telework policy, any applicable bargaining unit agreements, and supervisory approval. Payment of relocation expenses, as applicable, will be paid in accordance with this Job Opportunity Announcement. Non-compliance with the supervisor's telework-schedule requirement could result in adverse action, including separation.


Veterans' Preference: If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) or an official statement from your command if currently on active duty that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) and the required supporting documents listed on that form. For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

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 and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we will use an Assessment Questionnaire to place you in one of three categories based on your experience, education and training. The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

  • Ability to promote awareness using digital communications strategies to support the mission, programs, and activities of an organization.
  • Skill in launching information campaigns through a variety of electronic media.
  • Knowledge of media/press/social media practices related to business industries and trends that address access to financing, contracting, domestic and global markets.
  • Ability to develop and prepare plans with Agency counterparts and programs for carrying out responsibilities, determining methods to be used, approaches to be taken, resolving conflicts that arise.
If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of three pre-defined categories. These categories are "gold," "silver," and "bronze." Your resume and/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. To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11233708

The Category Rating Process does not add veteran's preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles 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-9 level or higher). For more information on category rating, please go to:hr.commerce.gov/s/groups/public/@doc/@cfoasa/@ohrm/documents/content/prod01_009474.pdf.

Career Transition Assistance Program: This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) 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; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp

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