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Public Affairs Specialist

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our greatest natural resource.


This position is located in Phoenix, Arizona. Information about this location and the surrounding area can be found at here.

We expect to fill one (1) vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open date: 01/11/2023
Closed date: 01/24/2023
This job will close when we have received 75 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$39,294 - $77,399 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5 - 9
Promotion potential
9 - Selection will be made at the GS-05 or GS-07 or GS-09. Full performance level is GS-09.
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
AZNC-11668964-CS
Control number
698778100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens - No previous Federal Service is required. Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy.

Duties

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  • Assists with the production of a broad range of creative, informative print, electronic and digital products to support public affairs programs/initiatives or to inform and involve various public in BLM programs and activities.
  • Drafting information/involvement publications, public service materials, annual reports, presentations, letters, and fact sheets.
  • Participates in a wide variety of public affairs activities and provides both administrative and clerical support for ongoing public affairs projects and events.
  • Drafts news releases, articles, or stories on routine events of non-controversial subjects.
  • Conducts tours and briefs visitors on BLM activities and programs.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
  • Direct Deposit Required.
  • Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
  • May require a one year probationary period.
  • This is a Bargaining Unit position.

Qualifications

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.

Specialized Experience for GS-05:
You must possess 3 years general experience or 1 year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4, that demonstrates the ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
-OR-
Education: 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree.
- OR-
Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of general experience and appropriate undergraduate education.

Specialized Experience for GS-07:
You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-05 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to: In a developmental capacity, assist with the preparation of news releases, briefing packets, brochures, video production, and audio/visuals as well as internal and external documents; development and implementation of public affairs plans; and development, and dissemination of a variety of public awareness messages and materials, drafts news releases, articles, or stories on routine events of non-controversial subjects.
-OR-
Education: Completion of 1 full year of graduate level education, or Superior academic Achievement..
- OR-
Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriategraduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

Superior Academic Achievement (See OPM's General Policies, Application of Qualification Standards Section 4.f.) S.A.A. must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled.

Specialized Experience for GS-09:
You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: Assist with the preparation of news releases, briefing packets, brochures, video production, and audio/visuals as well as internal and external documents; development and implementation of public affairs plans; and development, and dissemination of a variety of public awareness messages and materials, drafts news releases, articles, or stories on routine events of non-controversial subjects.
-OR-
Education: Have successfully completed a 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 or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
- OR-
Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

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.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Physical Demands: Most of the work is performed in an office setting. Driving a car or pickup truck is periodically required. The work may require walking outdoors and travel in light aircraft, helicopters, and off-road vehicles. Long work days are occasionally required to meet deadlines and resolve specific problems. Writing and editing assignments require a degree of concentration and often include working under extremely tight deadlines with considerable outside pressure.

Work Environment: Most of the work is performed in an office setting although travel to field sites or other BLM/government offices is often required. Attendance at meetings at night or on weekends is sometimes required. Incumbent will adhere to all safety rules and regulations as prescribed in manuals/supplements or by the designated Safety Officer.

Education

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an accredited institution with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Additional information

This position is being filled as a College Graduate under Public Law 115-232, 5 CFR § 315.614.

  • Recent graduates who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree within the previous two years.
  • Uniformed service members who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree and were unable to apply within two years of obtaining their degree due to a uniformed service obligation of at least four years, may apply within two years of their discharge from uniformed service
ELIGIBILITY: This appointment will be made under the noncompetitive College Graduate hiring authority. To be eligible an applicant must have received a bachelor's or advanced degree ( i.e. master's, Ph.D., or J.D) within 2 years of applying for employment under this authority. For these purposes, the graduate must have received a baccalaureate or advanced from an institution of higher education in accordance with section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as codified at 20 U.S.C. 1001(a). In the case of an applicant who has completed a period of no less than four years of intervening obligated uniform service, they must apply within than two years of release or discharged from that uniformed service.

A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.

DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service

Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. The selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

BLM may use certain incentives, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract high quality applicants.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document, you do not have in electronic form; view the following link for information regarding an Alternative Application

How you will be evaluated

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

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

This position will be filled through the College Graduate Hiring Authority. Under this authority, competitive rating, ranking, and veterans' preference procedures do not apply.

Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. Please be sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies in the following areas:

Bureau of Land Management

The BLM manages 245 million surface acres. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western States, including Alaska. We are a small bureau with a big and complex job, determining the best combination of uses for public lands based on good science and input from the public both in local communities and across the country. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

The Department of the Interior (DOI) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission.

Agency contact information

Chan Saechao
Email
csaechao@blm.gov
Address
BLM Arizona State Office
BLM Arizona State Office, AZ-953
One North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85002
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Bureau of Land Management, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.blm.gov/

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