This position is located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Business Center (FBC) mission area.
For Washington, DC these are AFSCME Bargaining Unit positions. For Kansas City these are NTEU Bargaining Unit positions. For St. Louis and Ft Worth these are AFGE Bargaining Unit positions.
Summary
This position is located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Business Center (FBC) mission area.
For Washington, DC these are AFSCME Bargaining Unit positions. For Kansas City these are NTEU Bargaining Unit positions. For St. Louis and Ft Worth these are AFGE Bargaining Unit positions.
The salary for each location may vary depending on locality. Locality tables: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages
Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)
Remote job
Yes
Telework eligible
Not applicable, this is a remote position.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - Temporary Not to Exceed One year, may be extended and may be non-competitively converted to a Permanent appointment in the competitive service. Conversion is not guaranteed.
Applications will be accepted only from current permanent USDA employees with competitive status/USDA Current Career/Career Conditional Non-Competitive (USDA Non-Comp) and CTAP/RPL eligible candidates and permanent Farm Service County Office employees.
Writes, edits, and critiques communications plans, news releases, fact sheets, speeches, talking points, and other materials, including social media, and assists Agency officials on a wide range of topics.
Analyzes and evaluates informational needs of specific interest groups and determines methods and techniques of communicating with these audiences through the use of publications, electronic media, social media, and other written issuances.
Coordinates the public participation program which is designed to involve interested publics in the decision making processes.
Advises managers as to the most effective methods of collecting and analyzing public comments.
Provides advice and consultation to Agency officials in planning public information activities, including recommending specific approaches to meet individual needs.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with Agency officials, media and stakeholders.
Contact with print and broadcast media on a regional and national level is required for some issues which generate regional or national interest.
Writes, edits, and prepares news releases and programs for press, radio, and television.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with Agency officials, media and stakeholders.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
Qualifications
The FPAC Under Secretary's Office seeks a candidate to serve a one-year term as a public affairs specialist. The candidate will develop communications strategies, news releases, blogs and other communications products in support of Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. The candidate would also help manage the program's web presence as well as work closely with team members to promote events and program milestones. The FPAC Under Secretary's Office is looking for a seasoned communicator with a track record of success on identifying communications opportunities. This is an excellent opportunity to manage high-profile communications products. Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities is a critical tool in USDA's broader effort to address climate change. Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities is expanding markets for America's climate-smart commodities, leveraging the greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodity production, and providing direct, meaningful benefits to production agriculture, including for small and underserved producers. The start of the one-year term will be negotiated with the candidate.
GS-13 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the Federal GS-12 level or higher, that has equipped you with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. For this position, specialized experience is defined as being responsible for developing communications products and strategies within a federal agency. Examples of this experience include:
Planning and implementing information campaigns, developing news releases, facts sheets, web content, social media and other written materials designed to increase outreach and participation
Analyzing public affairs activities, providing advice to agency program managers in communication with a variety of specialized audiences
Developing, implementing and evaluating an agency's program of informational issuances
Devising new methods and techniques to communicate agency program provisions and goals
Establishing and maintaining effective cooperative relationships with agency and media representatives.
GS-14 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the Federal GS-13 level or higher, that has equipped you with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. For this position, specialized experience is defined as being responsible for developing communications products and strategies within a federal agency. Examples of this experience include:
Leading and managing the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of complex information campaigns and information and communications strategies.
Extensive experience engaging in digital and traditional communication techniques as it relates to fostering relationships and interests among major general public and external stakeholder segments.
Devising new methods and techniques to communicate agency program provisions and goals.
Establishing and maintaining effective cooperative relationships with agency and media representatives.
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the 12/21/2023 of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined above.
Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.
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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
Note: There is no education substitution for experience.
Additional information
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Reemployment Priority List (RPL) Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP and RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.
If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
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.
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.
You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below:
Communications and Media
Customer Service
Technical Competence
Writing
Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need only meet minimum qualifications to be referred.
Note: If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.
Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.
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.
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.
The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications.
Current Federal employees:
Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing you are/were in the competitive service, highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series & grade AND
Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. A performance plan is not an acceptable substitute.
Current permanent FSA County employees must submit your most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing your highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series & grade AND most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) per above.
Current permanent FSA County employees must submit your most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing your highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) per above.
Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP and RPL priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) 10:59 p.m. Central Time (CT) the of 12/21/2023 this announcement.
Please submit your most recent Performance appraisal that is Completed/Rated/Signed by Supervisor, which is dated within the last 18 months. DO NOT submit a Performance Plan, Progress Review or Current Appraisal in which the rating period is still on-going/not complete. If you do not have one, please submit a note explaining why you do not have one. Failure to do this will result in an ineligible rating. For FSA/RMA employees applying for vacancies, be sure to follow the instructions in the "How to Apply and Required Documents" sections. If you have questions, please call the HR Specialist that is listed as the contact on the announcement BEFORE the announcement closes.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, click "Apply Online" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.
NOTE: If a document is resubmitted, it replaces the previous submission, which means the previous document is no longer available to the Human Resources Office. If you are adding to, rather than replacing a previous submission, you must upload both the old document and the new document. You must verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Applicants may combine all like required documents (e.g. SF-50's or veteran docs) into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping like documents into files will simplify the application process. Documents must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signature, or other encryption to open.
Farm Production and Conservation Business Center
1400 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20250
US
Next steps
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status.
You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status).
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications.
Current Federal employees:
Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing you are/were in the competitive service, highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series & grade AND
Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. A performance plan is not an acceptable substitute.
Current permanent FSA County employees must submit your most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing your highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series & grade AND most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) per above.
Current permanent FSA County employees must submit your most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing your highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) per above.
Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP and RPL priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) 10:59 p.m. Central Time (CT) the of 12/21/2023 this announcement.
Please submit your most recent Performance appraisal that is Completed/Rated/Signed by Supervisor, which is dated within the last 18 months. DO NOT submit a Performance Plan, Progress Review or Current Appraisal in which the rating period is still on-going/not complete. If you do not have one, please submit a note explaining why you do not have one. Failure to do this will result in an ineligible rating. For FSA/RMA employees applying for vacancies, be sure to follow the instructions in the "How to Apply and Required Documents" sections. If you have questions, please call the HR Specialist that is listed as the contact on the announcement BEFORE the announcement closes.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, click "Apply Online" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.
NOTE: If a document is resubmitted, it replaces the previous submission, which means the previous document is no longer available to the Human Resources Office. If you are adding to, rather than replacing a previous submission, you must upload both the old document and the new document. You must verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Applicants may combine all like required documents (e.g. SF-50's or veteran docs) into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping like documents into files will simplify the application process. Documents must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signature, or other encryption to open.
Farm Production and Conservation Business Center
1400 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20250
US
Next steps
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status.
You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status).
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
