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Lead Public Affairs Specialist

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

Summary

This position is located in the Bureau of Global Public Affairs, Office of International Media Engagement (GPA/MD/IM/IE) which advances U.S. foreign policy priorities by shaping and influencing foreign public opinion via the media. This position serves as a public affairs expert in developing communication plans and interacting with the news media. Also, this position serves as a team leader for lower graded specialists and helps to orient new members of the office.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
07/28/2022 to 08/10/2022
Salary
$106,823 to - $138,868 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
Washington, DC
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Overseas and domestic travel may be required around 10% of the time.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Announcement number
HRSC/GPA-2022-0014
Control number
668039300

Duties

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  • Plans, designs, and executes a range of activities in support of the Department of State's (DOS) foreign media engagement efforts by analyzing, developing, and implementing strategies and communications plans for engaging foreign audiences.
  • Uses analytical products and market data, and working with regional bureaus, identifies key foreign audiences and media outlets to create comprehensive strategies for engagement on priority issues.
  • Engages members of the international media to disseminate, clarify, and defend important U.S. foreign policy messages with far-reaching implications and responding to press inquiries.
  • Enhances coordination of U.S. government responses to breaking news stories and high-profile foreign policy issues, which are then more effectively addressed by the incumbent and the Office through various media to intended audiences.
  • Ensures that DoS & GPA’s strategic plan, mission, vision and values are communicated to the team and integrated into the team’s strategies, goals, objectives, work plans and work products and services.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. 

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

  • Experience making recommendations to leaders about public affairs strategies to reach international audiences.
  • Experience providing training to individuals at all levels of prior proficiency to deliver interviews in broadcast and print media settings.
  • Experience training or mentoring other team members on strategic communications objectives, planning, and execution.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

  • For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or OAA@state.gov.
  • If eligible, telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. 
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.  If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days.  Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions. 

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume will be conducted and compared against your responses to the assessment questions to determine if you are qualified for this job.  Note:  Responses to questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating. 

Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as described in the “Qualifications” section of this announcement, will be assigned to one of three quality categories:

  1. Qualified - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate a basic level of the required competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities) for the position.
  2. Well Qualified - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in some but not all of the required competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) for the position.
  3. Highly Qualified - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must fully demonstrate proficiency in all of the required competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities) for the position.

Highly Qualified applicants may be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.  The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:

  • Ability to analyze and evaluate information derived from a variety of sources.
  • Knowledge of media / public relations methods and techniques.
  • Ability to handle media inquiries.
  • Ability to establish and maintain liaison with officials throughout the foreign affairs community.
  • Skill in problem solving.
  • Ability to think strategically.

Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the Highly Qualified category. Other 10-point preference eligible and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligible applicants within the category in which they qualify.  View information on veterans' preference on OPM’s Fed Hire Vets website.

Agency and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never been a Federal employee, you are not CTAP or ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category for this position and submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement to receive consideration for selection priority. 


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