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Public Affairs Specialist

Department of Transportation
Maritime Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, Maritime Administration (MARAD). This position is established to (1) inform the broad spectrum of individuals and groups affected by MARAD programs of the benefits, services, or requirements of such programs; and (2) assess the degree of understanding or interest the public has in these programs and activities.



Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
02/27/2019 to 03/02/2019
This job will close when we have received 25 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$81,548 to - $106,012 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Position requires occasional travel.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
MARAD.HQ-2019-0042
Control number
525515600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizens

Duties

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As a Public Affairs Specialist, you will:

  • Assist in proactively developing, planning and executing national campaigns which support and promote MARAD’s mission of building, supporting, and sustaining the American maritime industry and a vital national intermodal transportation system.
  • Determine the need for information materials to support programs at agency level and provides news releases, speeches, etc. to field offices to reach specialized audiences in their geographical areas.
  • Develop or arrange for the use of marketing and public relation tools, including blogs, Facebook, and new media, presentations, press kits, press releases, exhibits, radio, television, still and motion pictures to disseminate information on agency programs and activities.
  • Establish, develop, and maintain effective relationships with media representatives and public affairs personnel of specialized groups.
  • Develop, write, and clear as appropriate, information materials designed to reach national audiences through the news media such wire services, radio, television, newspaper, etc.

The ideal candidate is experienced as a communications professional who is comfortable in a fast-paced work environment and interactions with all levels of leadership.  Exhibits creativity, sound judgment, and discretion, attention to detail, and sensitivity to protocol, deadlines and timetables; can function independently; possess a strong work ethic, and has a knack for translating complicated maritime issues into compelling words and ideas. Must be able to comfortably manage multiple projects, quickly synthesize information and prioritize project goals, identify a clear-cut plan of action, and be able to identify and gather the resources needed.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must meet specialized experience to qualify.
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
  • Review Required Documents Section as documents are required by closing date
  • Announcement also advertised Status & VEOA Applicants: MARAD.HQ-2019-0041

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
  • GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel.  A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
  • PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
  • DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
  • WRITING SAMPLE: Must submit three writing samples.  A writing exercise will be including in the interview process. 

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the Grade 12, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:

  • Experience in writing or editing news stories and/or feature stories in English for a recognized news publication such as a daily newspaper or a weekly news magazine; or for a wire service such as AP, UPI, or Reuters; or for broadcast by a broadcast television station.

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.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link:  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date.

Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.







Additional information

Displaced employees may be eligible for ICTAP or CTAP priority consideration. For more information, please review the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition.

EEO STATEMENT: The Department of Transportation (DOT) maintains a model federal work environment that is free of discrimination. DOT ensures equal employment opportunity for employees and applicants for employment, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), genetic information, age, disability, sexual orientation, or protected activity.

This vacancy may be used to fill similar positions within 90 days for these locations.

How you will be evaluated

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

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/ application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). Your resume must contain sufficiently detailed information upon which to make a qualification determination. Please ensure that your resume contains specific information such as position titles, beginning and ending dates of employment for each position, average number of hours worked per week, and if the position is/was in the Federal government, you should provide the position series and grade level. 

If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of four categories: Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze, which is based upon your responses to the vacancy questions. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference that have provided supporting documents will receive selection priority over non-veterans. The top rated applications will be reviewed for the quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position.

Your application will be rated on the extent and quality of your experience, education and training relevant to the position. The answers you select in the on-line process must be substantiated in your application package.  If upon review, it is determined that your described work history, competencies, and/or supporting documents do not support your answer choices, your application may be updated or you may not be referred to the selecting official. Please ensure that your work history provides enough details to support your answers.  The Automated Staffing Office is ultimately responsible for determining your final rating.


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