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Public Affairs Specialist

Department of Energy
Department of Energy - Agency Wide
This job announcement has closed

Summary

A successful candidate in this position will serve as a Public Affairs Specialist and will respond to media requests, coordinate interviews with subject matter experts, and serve as an on-the-record Agency spokesperson.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
12/06/2019 to 12/11/2019
This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$117,191 to - $152,352 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
1 vacancy
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
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
TN-20-EI-00877-MP
Control number
553603100

Duties

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As a Public Affairs Specialist, you will:

  • Serve as senior advisor to EIA management and the Director of the Office of Stakeholder Outreach and Communications in providing expert advice and analysis on, and undertaking action concerning, various media relations issues that have the potential to result in controversies and/or critical challenges to the Energy Information Administration, and serve as the on-the-record Agency spokesperson.
  • Represent the Agency in responding to media requests, coordinating interviews with subject matter experts, and serves as a as a senior management official, when appropriate, in strategy sessions to accomplish media relations programs and policies
  • Lead the development of communications training procedures, policies, and offerings as related to communications policies and procedures.
  • Follow social media to see what energy stories are trending and what the public is saying about EIA data and analysis.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
  • Resume and question responses must be submitted online.
  • Subject to satisfactory security and suitability determinations.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: 

  • If selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure, OGE-450 form upon entry into the position and annually thereafter.
  • Telework is in accordance with agency policy and at the supervisor's discretion.
  • Position is not covered under a collective bargaining unit.
  • This position requires a Tier 2, Public Trust, background investigation

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:

  1. Managing crisis and emergency communications to develop consistent messaging.
  2. Developing and implementing communications and media plans, pitching story ideas, creating targeted press list to access audience.
  3. Coordinating public affairs programs that include formulating relationships with national, regional, local and trade media representatives to garner media placement and positive coverage to the organization
  4. Developing press releases, media advisories, Q&A’s, letters to the editor, speeches, briefings, reports, and presentations for the media and public to educate and promote an understanding of site missions, policies and activities.

Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSAs identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application!

  1. Ability to serve as an expert consultant and agency technical authority, and advise other program managers and staff in developing or enhancing communication plans and outreach activities, techniques, and information programs.
  2. Knowledge of editing, writing, print publishing, and preparing materials suitable for diverse media, and to advise agency authors and their supervisors on how best to present the material for effective communication and optimal and efficient use of time and resources.
  3. Knowledge of the principles, methods, practices, and techniques of communications and media relations that enables the incumbent to function as an agency expert and to plan and carry out outreach programs of national scope and significance
  4. Knowledge of programs and objectives of the agency and of related agencies within the department and of other federal government statistical agencies.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

More information on General Schedule Qualifications for Public Affiars, series 1035, can be found at OPM.GOV by clicking the following hyperlink: Administrative and Management Positions-Public Affiars

Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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Education

EDUCATION:

There is no education or substitutions for this position.


Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

Additional information

The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

  • New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
  • Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
  • If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
  • More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
  • Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
  • Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
  • All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/EEO_Policy_Statement
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Reasonable_Accommodation_Policy_Statement
Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Veterans_Information
Telework: www.telework.gov
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/


How you will be evaluated

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

The Department of Energy uses an application tracking system to evaluate the responses you provide in the applicant assessment questionnaire to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications necessary for this position. Then, the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will conduct a quality review of your application and supporting documentation to determine if your qualifications meet the criteria for referral to the selecting official.

We will also verify that you are eligible for Merit Promotion positions by reviewing your previous Federal employment to ensure you meet Time-in-Grade requirements. If you are eligible to apply to Merit Promotion announcements based on Veteran or other non-competitive statuses, we will verify your supporting documentation prior to referral.

If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.
To preview questions please click here.

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