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Public Affairs Specialist

General Services Administration
Office of Inspector General
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Location of position:
GSA Office of Inspector General
1800 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20405

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/21/2023 to 05/02/2023
Salary
$64,957 to - $145,617 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 09 - 13
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Washington
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13 - The full performance level of this position is GS-13.
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
J-2023-01 MP
Control number
721268400

Duties

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As a Public Affairs Specialist, you will support the OIG’s communications and external affairs program, which includes communications with various OIG stakeholders. Specific responsibilities may include the following duties:

  • Updating and posting content to the website and intranet sites as well as to social media sites;
  • Writing content for and distributing communication products for internal and external audiences, including content for social media, web, newsletters, brochures, fact sheets, text for graphics, presentations, talking points, and other items as needed;
  • Developing images, videos, and other materials for use on the intranet, website, and on social media sites.
  • Identify, track, and report to OIG staff relevant issues of media, congressional, executive branch, media, and other public interest and activity.
  • Researching, preparing and supporting OIG personnel for participation in media interviews, congressional meetings, and other official engagements, to include arranging for and assisting in briefings, interviews, and other activities as needed;
  • Supporting the coordination of communications with, and responding to requests for information from, the press, Congress, other agencies, and public by providing information about agency programs, policies, and services.
  • Supporting the preparation and publication of the Semiannual Report to the Congress
  • Responding to data calls from other federal agencies such as the Council of Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency and the Government Accountability Office.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
  • Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
  • Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
  • Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
  • Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
  • Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
  • Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee.  We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
  • Complete a financial disclosure report to verify that no conflict, or an appearance of conflict, exists between your financial interest and this position

Qualifications

The GS-9 salary range starts at $64,957 per year. The GS-11 salary range starts at $78,592 per year. The GS-12 salary range starts at $94,199 per year. The GS-13 salary range starts at $112,015 per year. If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected. 

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE GS-9 LEVEL: 
To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level or higher in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is experience conveying information to an organization’s internal or external stakeholders; developing content for the web and intranet sites on routine matters; providing information on agency programs; assisting higher level specialists with the preparation of news releases, talking points, fact sheets, and brochures; assisting with the organization and support of special events; and using digital communications tools.
OR
Completion of a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. To be creditable, graduate education must directly reflect the job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position.
OR
Combination of graduate level education and appropriate experience that together meet the qualification requirements of this position.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: 
To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level or higher in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is experience independently performing work that demonstrates a sound working knowledge of communications and public affairs principles. Such experience includes analyzing, selecting and preparing information materials; planning, executing, or evaluating communications campaigns to convey information to an organization’s internal or external audiences; and responding to media questions on regular organizational activities.
OR
Completion of a PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree; or three years of progressively higher level graduate education (above a Bachelor's degree) leading to a PhD degree. To be creditable, graduate education must directly reflect the job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position.
OR
Combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate level education.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: 
To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is experience planning or evaluating public affairs and internal communications programs and projects; initiating public and internal awareness activities; developing proactive outreach; planning, executing, and evaluating communications campaigns to convey information to an organization’s internal or external audiences; developing and presenting informational material to achieve understanding of various points of view or concepts from stakeholders with varying levels of understanding and different interests; and responding to media questions regarding organizational activities.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: 
To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or higher in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is experience planning and evaluating public affairs and internal communications programs and projects; initiating and executing public and internal awareness activities; proactive outreach; developing and presenting informational material to achieve understanding of various points of view or concepts from stakeholders with varying levels understanding and different interests; coordinating responses to external inquiries and serving as a spokesperson.

Education

Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Bargaining Unit Status:
- This position is ineligible for bargaining unit coverage.
If you are selected at a grade lower than the full performance level, you may be promoted up to that grade level without having to re-apply or compete against other applicants.

Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.  

Additional vacancies may be filled from this announcement as needed; through other means; or not at all. 

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 on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your overall possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities.  Your responses to these questions must be supported by your resume or your score may be lowered.

    1. Comprehensive knowledge of the principals, methods, practices and techniques of communication
    2. Skill and ability in supporting a national communications awareness program that enables the incumbent convey complex information
    3. Knowledge and skill to analyze internal and external reactions and perceptions to OIG programs and activities
    4. Skill in developing written materials to convey information concerning complex programs and functions to stakeholders having diverse levels of understanding
    5. Skill in using automated software tools in support of a communication program
    6. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups interested in or affected by programs, creating meaningful, constructive communication interchanges
    7. Skill in evaluating the effectiveness of media relations and communications
    8. Knowledge of project planning and coordination to advise staff on special project productions
    9. Skill in preparing and developing content within strict time constraints

Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle, e.g., the minimum qualification requirements. If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions.

Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process.  If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

If you are eligible under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan(ICTAP/CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.


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