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Communications Specialist

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
Office of the Director
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Do you have experience developing health related communications materials, engaging public audiences, and evaluating communications materials and programs? If so, please consider joining the Office of AIDS Research (OAR),Division of Program Coordination, Planning and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI), Office of the Director (OD), NIH as a Communications Specialist!

Please see the link below for more information.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/22/2024 to 07/26/2024
Salary
$117,962 to - $153,354 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Montgomery County, MD
Remote job
No
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
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
NIH-OD-MP-24-12472150
Control number
800505100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

You must be a current or former federal employee eligible to apply under merit promotion procedures or otherwise be eligible as a status applicant (e.g. Veterans Employment Opportunity Act) OR be an individual who is eligible through an OPM interchange agreement or for a non-competitive appointment. This job is also open to USPHS Commissioned Corps Officers and Call-To-Active Duty (CAD) Candidates.

Duties

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Typical duties of the position include:

-Serving as a Communications Specialist and assisting the OAR leadership, broader communications team, and program staff with all facets of the communications activities.
-Researching, developing, designing, and implementing communications projects and tasks, including testing and using appropriate vehicles for communicating information about OAR and its programs.
-Informing senior leadership about potentially sensitive issues provides advice regarding new policies and procedures and responding to requests for information. Coordinating activities with Public Information Offices and staff NIH-wide.
-Independently designing and carrying out a variety of projects and communications strategies to enhance the dissemination of information and increasing the understanding of the OAR missions and the accomplishments of the Office.
-Overseeing and developing, editing, and managing material for the public communications channels of OAR and its affiliated websites, as needed.
-Researching material using a variety of sources to develop content and coordinates with other program components. Written products articulate and explain highly complex, potentially sensitive or controversial, and important technical issues.
-Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with NIH, DHHS, Congressional, scientific communities, the public, representatives of other Federal agencies, and universities to facilitate information exchange about OAR programs.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of the pre-appointment process (i.e., background investigation, verification of qualifications and job requirements, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, etc.)
  • Status candidates please provide latest Notice of Personnel Action (SF-50).
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of the closing date of this announcement, including time in grade.

Qualifications

You qualify at the GS-13 level, if you meet one of the following qualification requirements:

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: developing materials to educate target audiences on specific public health issues; coordinating program launches, scientific report releases, and media support with communications and scientific staff; facilitating communications workgroups and committees; and developing health program communications plans or strategies for an activity or workgroup.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

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. Ensure you support your self-ratings with the information you provide in your application.? We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.??

Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12472150

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.
  • A one-year probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.
  • At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities: [telework (work from home on a regular basis or ad hoc basis but reports to the office at least once a week/two days a pay period), alternative work schedules].
  • PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration.
  • Veterans' Preference applies only to Schedule A (disability appointment) and Veterans Recruitment Appointments (if applicable).
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Visit our Applicant FAQs page for helpful information on the application process.
  • Visit our Total Compensation page and this sample for a detailed look into the benefits, awards, leave, retirement, and other incentives employees may receive as part of a rewarding work environment.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • 1.Ability to develop and implement communications plans and programs for an organization.
  • 2.Ability to interact and coordinate with other individuals and groups to accomplish complex work activities and projects.
  • 3.Skill in communicating information on public health research programs and research results.
  • 4.Skill in developing written materials and digital content.


Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least an 85 on the assessment and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

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