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Public Affairs Specialist (Direct Hire)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Headquarters, NASA
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Serves as a Public Affairs Specialist at NASA Headquarters in Washington covering Climate Research and Earth Science public relations.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open date: 09/21/2023
Closed date: 09/27/2023
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$112,015 - $172,075 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Promotion potential
14
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
HQ-23-DE-12126186-SH
Control number
750402800

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Duties

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  • Duties described below are at the full-performance level. Duties assigned at a lower grade level will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
  • Serves as a lead communications integrator to develop and implement detailed events including, but not limited to, Earth satellite and instrument related launches to ensure coordination of program activities with colleagues across the agency.
  • Designs, plans, and directs, advises, and supports communication activities for the agency’s climate research activities and broader Earth Sciences Division on behalf of the Office of Communications.
  • Plans, initiates, implements, and supports comprehensive communication plans that enhance understanding of agency programs among the public and specialized groups or organizations.
  • Develops, edits, and disseminates agency messaging and various communications products on various communication platforms and channels based on NASA Style and AP Style to the public or specialized target groups domestic and foreign.
  • Advises NASA management on possible public and media reactions to proposed administration policy statements or agency actions. Establishes and maintains relations with media and serves as an agency spokesperson.
  • Develops and/or stays current on divisions, across mission directorates, offices, and NASA centers.
  • Develops and/or stays current on NASA strategic communication messaging and goals to engage more effectively with the public and enhance public understanding.
  • Helps maintain multiple editorial calendars and reports to ensure information flows to the various stakeholders, including a weekly climate report for the administration.
  • Manages all NASA media activities related to climate research, supports the agency’s senior climate advisor/chief scientist, science leadership, and others as needed. Includes writing remarks, scripts, messages, statements, news products, and more.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
  • Position subject to pre-employment background investigation.
  • You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • This position may require a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level:

  • Coordinating specific key agency communication priorities and/or missions and coordinating all related communication activities and serving as an agency spokesperson;
  • Drafting and reviewing communication products intended for the news media, social media and/or the web;
  • Writing and editing documents, meeting journalistic standards and ensuring technical accuracy.
To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level:
  • Leading key activities including communication planning, message development, media responses, setting up and staffing interviews with subject matter experts;
  • Running news events and media calls, as well as serving as an agency spokesperson;
  • Performing as Lead integrator for agency and/or corporate wide activities such as news events, public engagement activities, and/or special events.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:
- Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
- Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position
- Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents'

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

This is a bargaining unit position. If additional selections are made, those positions may or may not be in a bargaining unit. To learn more about bargaining units at NASA please click here NASA Unions (Bargaining Units) | NASA.

How you will be evaluated

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

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Communications and Media
  • Oral Communications
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Public Communcations and Outreach
  • Teamwork
  • Written Communication
NASA considers 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.

Headquarters, NASA

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Agency contact information

NASA Shared Services Contact Center
Phone
1-877-677-2123
Fax
1-866-779-6772
Email
nssc-contactcenter@mail.nasa.gov
Address
NASA Headquarters
300 E St SW
Washington, DC 20546
US

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