Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Public Affairs Specialist

Department of Defense
Defense Health Agency
Defense Health Agency Headquarters // Communications Support
This job announcement has closed

Summary

About the Position: The incumbent of this position will serve as a Public Affairs Specialist located in Falls Church, VA. This position will support senior leaders within Defense Health Agency. The incumbent should be able to achieve success by developing compelling messages, communication products and plans, targeted media, social media, and internal communications engagement and leader development. Individual will be in direct support of a two star flag/general officer within the DHA.

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
10/28/2021 to 11/12/2021
Salary
$122,530 to - $159,286 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Falls Church, VA
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
HQKF211395028473D
Control number
619156600

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

See "Who May Apply" in the "Qualification" section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position.

Duties

Help
  • Analyzes and makes recommendations concerning a wide array of conflicting and divergent input from Department of Defense (DoD) staff agencies, major commands, and the military services to obtain a consensus position among differing viewpoints.
  • Develops and manages the Defense Health Agency and the Military Health System's long-term communications planning programs to facilitate better understanding and support of military health missions, roles and responsibilities.
  • Develops and applies new approaches to complex public affairs problems by developing and evaluating information programs to enhance understanding among publics opposed or indifferent to Military Health System Programs.
  • Controls the strategic and synchronous release of information to inform internal and external audiences about the Military Health System and the Defense Health Agency initiatives and program.
  • Provides strategic counsel to DoD Military Health System, or Defense Health Agency senior leaders regarding communication approaches, media engagement, social media, strategic outreach, crisis communications and messaging.
  • Will focus efforts in supporting the Combat Support mission of the Defense Health Agency while supporting the leadership of that directorate and subordinate teams of the directorate.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment.
  • This position has been designated Mission Essential. In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations, the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
  • Incumbent may be expected to occasionally travel (up to 5% of the time).
  • Situational telework may be offered.
  • This position requires an Office of Government Ethics (OGE-450) Financial Disclosure.
  • Pursuant to EO 14043, all Federal employees, regardless of duty location or work arrangement, must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by November 22, 2021, or before entrance on duty if after November 22, subject to exemptions as required by law.
  • If selected, the agency will provide information regarding what documentation is needed and how to request any legally required exemptions from this requirement.
  • Proof of vaccination will be required. To ensure compliance with this mandate, review the vaccination requirements, to include timelines for receiving required doses, at the following: https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/faq/vaccinations/

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education requirements described below. 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. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirements for Public Affairs Specialist GS-1035-14:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: facilitating media engagements with national and international media outlets for press conferences and senior leader interviews; drafting and executing strategic communications plans for programs with a national or worldwide impact; advising and guiding senior leader decisions with regard to how the public or stakeholders will perceive programs or issues; and developing and executing plans to address crisis situations to include drafting press releases, planning social media engagement, conducing outreach/community engagements, and creating products to addressing the internal organization. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-13).

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:

  • Communications and Media
  • Oral Communication
  • Written Communication

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • Two year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • This position requires you to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) or a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE450) upon entry, and annually thereafter.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • Recruitment or relocation incentives MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • You may claim military spouse preference (MSP).
  • If a MSP applicant is determined best qualified and selected, placement must be at the full performance level for priority consideration.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within a designated time frame identified by the organization. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency's telework policy.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your résumé and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your résumé and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Basis for Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of three quality categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified and Qualified. Veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category.

  • Best Qualified. Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
  • Highly Qualified. Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
  • Qualified. Candidates in this category meet the minimum experience requirements for the announced position.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.