This position is located in the Office of Volunteer Recruitment and Selection (VRS). The Public Affairs Specialist (PAS) supports the office's strategy to recruit qualified candidates and raise overall awareness of Peace Corps by providing marketing, advertising, press, media, and outreach related support to VRS.
Summary
This position is located in the Office of Volunteer Recruitment and Selection (VRS). The Public Affairs Specialist (PAS) supports the office's strategy to recruit qualified candidates and raise overall awareness of Peace Corps by providing marketing, advertising, press, media, and outreach related support to VRS.
Who May Apply:
United States Citizens, Current or former Federal employees and Internal agency employees; including agency temporary employees, eligible agency Experts, and eligible agency personal services contractors
The Public Affairs Specialist performs the following major duties:
Develops communication plans designed to increase public awareness about the Peace Corps and to generate specific recruitment leads, including leads to applicants with scarce skills, minorities, and older Americans. Develops a plan for a follow-up evaluation of the effectiveness of the strategies used.
Researches media markets and recommends media and marketing techniques likely to be most productive in terms of public response. Identifies appropriate markets and develops and implements strategies and tactics to reach those markets. Evaluates results of the activities implemented.
Establishes and maintains key points of contact with the media; returned volunteer groups; and media staff at universities, government agencies, corporations and non-profit organizations to convey Peace Corps recruitment needs and program information and to support national initiatives.
Researches local media markets and establishes professional relationships with the appropriate members of the print and broadcast media. Arranges radio/television show interviews and public speaking engagements. Trains staff in media interview and public speaking techniques and delivering presentations and message development.
Writes and develops recruitment and promotional materials including news releases, fact sheets, flyers for special events, live-read radio PSA scripts, etc.
Develops and pitches articles/feature stories and writes news releases on Peace Corps accomplishments and articles about local Peace Corps Volunteers and RPCVs; submits these materials to the local media and continually monitors the placement of these materials
Coordinates and executes local earned media strategy. Develops social media content and strategy. Promotes stories and national press campaigns to paper, radio, TV, web, and other media; secures placement of earned media in support of national strategy to recruit qualified candidates and raise overall awareness of PC, including pitching press releases, follow-up with media, creation of story ideas, authoring stories, etc. Ensures compliance with agency policies and regulations.
Develops, plans, and executes complex media campaigns tailored to specific audiences designed to increase public understanding of nuanced issues.
Acts as spokesperson, explaining and clarifying official Agency positions to the public on a wide range of topics which may be sensitive in nature. Serves as official representative for Director-Level Senior Staff at public engagements and events.
Writes press releases, backgrounders, and fact sheets; authors stories and articles for website, news articles, and other outlets.
Generates story ideas and news opportunities for potential promotion; contributes understanding to relevant local media markets.
Serves as point of contact for incoming media and data requests in assigned territory.
Peace Corps Manual Section 611 is applicable to this position. This section prohibits the employment of certain persons previously engaged in intelligence activities or connected with intelligence agencies within the past 10 years. If you have ever worked for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), you are not eligible for employment at the Peace Corps in any capacity, and you should not apply for employment.
PC-1336 Form: Applicants who are found to be otherwise qualified will be required to submit upon request in the future a completed PC-1336 form, or narrative signed statement, indicating whether the applicant has been involved in or has had any connection with intelligence activities or related work and, if so, the nature and dates of his or her involvement. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the applicant being rated ineligible for further consideration. If you have any other type of possible intelligence connection, your application will not be further considered until you submit this form. Except when the CIA or the National Security Agency (NSA) is involved (see below), if your connection with an Intelligence Agency involves an immediate family member who works or has worked in intelligence, the immediate family member should complete the form, not the applicant. Usually relying on memory is sufficient to answer most if not all of the questions. If you have an immediate family member who works or has worked for the CIA, you should not give them this form to complete. Please contact your relative in person—not by phone, email, social networking, or any other means that is not in person— and ask him or her to contact the Office of General Counsel at the CIA.
If your intelligence connection involves the NSA, you (or, if the connection is with a family member, that person) must contact NSA’s Office of the General Counsel at 410-854-3910 before submitting this form to Peace Corps.
Qualifications
Time-in-Grade Requirements: Any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). NOTE: All current or former Federal employees (including internal employees) must provide a copy of their SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one), "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
Specialized Experience:
You must meet the specialized experience at the grade level(s) in which you choose to be considered by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. To ensure full credit for your experience, please indicate dates of employment by month, day, and year and the number of hours worked per week in your resume.
This vacancy is being announced at two (2) grade levels:
FP-5
Qualifying experience for the FP-5 grade level includes one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the FP-7 or GS-7 grade level which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes: Experience developing and disseminating information to attract selected audiences and familiarize them with agency's programs; Experience communicating orally and in writing in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience; Experience in marketing and media buying.
Preferred Experience: Social media content developing/marketing and graphic design.
or
master's or equivalent graduate degree
or
2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree
or
LL.B. or J.D., if related
NOTE: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels and positions for which both education and experience are acceptable
FP-4
Qualifying experience for the FP-4 grade level includes one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the FP-5 or GS-9 grade level which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes: Experience developing information materials aimed at enhancing the understanding of groups or individuals of the significant issues of agency programs; Experience responding timely and appropriately to requests for information concerning agency programs and services; Experience developing contacts, gathering information and dealing with a variety of people, including news media representatives, government officials, and agency program officials; Experience in marketing and advertising /media buying.
Preferred Experience: Social media content developing/marketing and Graphic Design.
or
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
or
3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree
or
LL.M., if related
NOTE: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels and positions for which both education and experience are acceptable
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.
Additional information
Peace Corps (PC) Information
This is a Federal civilian job in the Excepted Service and Peace Corps employees are paid on the Foreign Service scale. Employment is limited NTE 5 years.
Additional hiring needs may be filled through this vacancy.
National Service (e.g., volunteer experience) refers to paid or unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
Peace Corps is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.
Peace Corps is a drug free workplace and promotes a drug free environment.
Peace Corps is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive culture. Our goal is to attract and develop the best and brightest from all lifestyles and backgrounds. Peace Corps strives to create a culture of inclusion where individuals feel respected and are treated fairly in all aspects of differences. Our commitment is to make a difference in the lives of people around the world.
Peace Corps provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Office of Human Resources by calling 202-692-1200 or the Office of Civil Rights and Diversity on 202-692-2139. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis.
Conditions of Employment
Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
You must successfully complete a background security investigation with favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet this requirement will be grounds for employment termination.
All male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be selective service registered. If selected for this position, you must sign a statement certifying your registration, or you must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
Prior Intelligence Activity or Related Work: Individuals who have been engaged in certain intelligence activity or who have been employed by or connected with an intelligence agency are ineligible for employment with Peace Corps. Acceptance of employment with Peace Corps precludes employment by certain intelligence organizations for a specific period of time, determined by the employing agency, after Peace Corps employment ceases.
All Federal employees are required to have federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
A one (1) year trial period is required.
This is a bargaining unit position.
Public Trust Clearance.
If you have questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact peacecorpsjobs@peacecorps.gov. In the subject line of your e-mail, include the vacancy #, the position title, and the closing date.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Peace Corps employees receive the same benefits as other Federal employees. This includes health insurance plans, a retirement system with investment options, paid holidays, paid sick and annual (vacation) leave, life insurance, incentive systems and training and development opportunities. Employees located in the United States may also receive subsidized transportation, flexible work schedules, and family work life programs.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated based on your resume, attached supporting documentation and your responses to the self-assessment questionnaire. Your materials will be evaluated to validate your possession of any required knowledge, skills, abilities (KSA) and/or competencies. The following competencies will be evaluated in the self-assessment questionnaire:
Communications and Media
Interpersonal Skills
Oral Communication
Project Management
Research
Written Communication
Please note that a complete application is required for consideration; including any documentation that is being used for qualifications.
Your resume and supporting documentation will be reviewed by a Human Resources Specialist, which must support the answers you provided. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for disqualification.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Peace Corps employees receive the same benefits as other Federal employees. This includes health insurance plans, a retirement system with investment options, paid holidays, paid sick and annual (vacation) leave, life insurance, incentive systems and training and development opportunities. Employees located in the United States may also receive subsidized transportation, flexible work schedules, and family work life programs.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package. This includes: a detailed resume, a completed electronic self-assessment questionnaire, an SF-50 (for current and former Federal employees, including internal employees), and the submission of any other required documents. All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Resume: Include relevant work experience including job title, duties and accomplishments, employer name and address, supervisor name and phone number, start and end dates, hours per week & salary. If you are a current Federal employee or former Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade level (e.g. GS-0201-09).
Veterans Documents: Veterans' preference in appointment does not apply to this vacancy; however, if you are using your 30% or more disability rating to be considered, you must attach all required documentation; including a DD-214 reflecting the type of discharge, the SF-15 and a VA Letter. Proof of a service-connected disability is required at the time of application. For more information regarding veterans’ preference, please review the OPM Vet Guide.
Federal Employees: If you are a current or former Federal employee (including internal employees), you must provide a copy of your most recent SF-50 (and/or the SF-50 which verifies your reinstatement eligibility). Please note that this appointment does not convey career or career-conditional tenure in the competitive service; however, federal employees who have earned career tenure will not lose it as a result of this appointment.
Qualifications Based on Education or a Combination of Education and Experience: If you are qualifying based on education or a combination of education and experience, you must submit a copy of your transcript(s) or an appropriate course listing with a diploma. Education must be accredited by an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be used towards qualifications. Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by recognized institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website.
Note: All applicants (including internal) are required to submit the applicable documents listed above as verification of eligibility. If you fail to provide the information requested, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you may lose consideration for these positions.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Click ‘Apply Online' to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account.
Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents.
Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application.
Applications must be received by the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
Check your application status by logging into your USAJOBS account. Return to an incomplete application by clicking Apply Online in the vacancy announcement and re-selecting your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account.
If you experience any technical difficulties as you complete your application within the CareerConnector system, please e-mail careerconnectorhelp@treasury.gov. Please only direct system-related technical errors to this mailbox. If your question is in regards to your application status, please contact the peacecorpsjobs@peacecorps.gov e-mail.
Peace Corps
1275 First St NE,Washington
Washington, District of Columbia 20526
United States
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS account and by going to the "My Account" tab and clicking on "Application Status". For a more detailed update of your application status, you may go to "more information" under the individual vacancy.
USAJOBS has added an setting to their system to provide status updates for applicants. You can elect to activate the status updates from your USAJOBS profile at any point during the application process.
If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to the Selecting Official for further consideration.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package. This includes: a detailed resume, a completed electronic self-assessment questionnaire, an SF-50 (for current and former Federal employees, including internal employees), and the submission of any other required documents. All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Resume: Include relevant work experience including job title, duties and accomplishments, employer name and address, supervisor name and phone number, start and end dates, hours per week & salary. If you are a current Federal employee or former Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade level (e.g. GS-0201-09).
Veterans Documents: Veterans' preference in appointment does not apply to this vacancy; however, if you are using your 30% or more disability rating to be considered, you must attach all required documentation; including a DD-214 reflecting the type of discharge, the SF-15 and a VA Letter. Proof of a service-connected disability is required at the time of application. For more information regarding veterans’ preference, please review the OPM Vet Guide.
Federal Employees: If you are a current or former Federal employee (including internal employees), you must provide a copy of your most recent SF-50 (and/or the SF-50 which verifies your reinstatement eligibility). Please note that this appointment does not convey career or career-conditional tenure in the competitive service; however, federal employees who have earned career tenure will not lose it as a result of this appointment.
Qualifications Based on Education or a Combination of Education and Experience: If you are qualifying based on education or a combination of education and experience, you must submit a copy of your transcript(s) or an appropriate course listing with a diploma. Education must be accredited by an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be used towards qualifications. Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by recognized institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website.
Note: All applicants (including internal) are required to submit the applicable documents listed above as verification of eligibility. If you fail to provide the information requested, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you may lose consideration for these positions.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Click ‘Apply Online' to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account.
Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire and upload required documents.
Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application.
Applications must be received by the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
Check your application status by logging into your USAJOBS account. Return to an incomplete application by clicking Apply Online in the vacancy announcement and re-selecting your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account.
If you experience any technical difficulties as you complete your application within the CareerConnector system, please e-mail careerconnectorhelp@treasury.gov. Please only direct system-related technical errors to this mailbox. If your question is in regards to your application status, please contact the peacecorpsjobs@peacecorps.gov e-mail.
Peace Corps
1275 First St NE,Washington
Washington, District of Columbia 20526
United States
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS account and by going to the "My Account" tab and clicking on "Application Status". For a more detailed update of your application status, you may go to "more information" under the individual vacancy.
USAJOBS has added an setting to their system to provide status updates for applicants. You can elect to activate the status updates from your USAJOBS profile at any point during the application process.
If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to the Selecting Official for further consideration.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
