Clarification from the agency

Recent Graduates who have completed within the previous two years a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. Veterans precluded from applying within two years due to a military service obligation have up to 6 years from completing their degree to apply. Applicants that are expected to graduate in the next 60 days from the closing date of this announcement may apply.

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The incumbent will serve as a Recent Graduate under the OPM Pathways Program and will perform various developmental duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Conducts a public affairs program for a HHS agency with responsibility for planning, and communicating the organization's programs, policies, and activities. Transmits informational materials to a variety of publics to enhance the understanding of certain attitudes and practices advocated by the organization.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with representatives of the print and broadcast media and national organizations interested in the aspects of the agency's programs. Analyzes work products, public engagements for content, accuracy, balance, placement, audience, source timeliness, message, frequency and subsequent related postings related to HHS OIG operations.
• Maintains targeted outreach campaigns through research, planning, writing, production, and posting of content on digital media platforms to facilitate public understanding of the agency's work.
• Uses a variety of methods and techniques in achieving communication goals such as producing news releases, broadcast scripts, feature articles, media interviews, news conferences, exhibits, brochures, pamphlets, social media content, etc.
• Prepares plans for campaigns to disseminate information about organization's programs. Organizes campaigns to bring about timely and coordinated use of all tools and skills available in the organization, within the agency, and with cooperating State and other Federal agencies. Prepares basic campaign materials including fact sheets, news releases, feature articles, broadcast scripts, and other materials.

Conditions of employment

• U.S Citizenship is required.
• Registration with the Selective Service (if applicable).
• Suitability for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
• Must Sign Pathways Program Participant Agreement.

Qualifications

Education used as part of an application package will only be considered if complete transcripts are submitted and must be from an accredited institution as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. To see if your institution is accredited, please follow this link: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx

Positive Education Requirement: This position has a position education requirement, as indicated below. A complete transcript showing relevant coursework and degrees must be submitted with your application package. A list of completed courses or incomplete transcripts will not be accepted.

Recent Graduate Pathways Program Requirements: Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have as much as six years after degree completion to apply.

Applicants that are expected to graduate in the next 60 days from the closing date of this announcement may apply, however you will not be appointed until your degree/certificate has been conferred.

Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the requirements above, applicants MUST meet the additional requirements for the GS-09 grade level. Applicants MUST have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service which provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Examples of specialized experience MUST include:

1. Experience assisting with preparing communication items such as fact sheets, news releases, and broadcast scripts;
2. Experience communicating the mission of an organization and activities through social media, web, and other platforms, AND
3. Experience utilizing Microsoft Office functions to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Desktop Publishing.

Education: Applicants may also qualify based on completion of two full years of graduate level education leading to a master's degree, or possess a master's or higher degree, in Public Affairs work that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work of this position. (Eighteen semester hours is generally equivalent to one year of graduate education). NOTE: Applicants must submit supporting transcripts if qualifying based on education.

Combination Education/Experience: Applicants may also qualify based on a combination of graduate level education as described in A above and specialized experience as described in B above which can be combined to equal one year. To compute this, first determine your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required under letter A above. (For example, 6 months of professional experience equals 50% of the experience requirement.) Then, determine your graduate education as a percentage of the education required under B above. (For example, 9 semester hours of creditable graduate work equals 50% of the education required.) Add the two percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Only graduate education in excess of the first year may be credited towards specialized experience.


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. Your resume should include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week. Federal experience is not required. The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector or Volunteer Service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-timework is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume.

HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, researches emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using a job questionnaire that is based on the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job:

• Attention to Detail
• Communications and Media
• Written Communication

This agency uses Category Rating Procedures. Under Delegated Examining (All U.S. Citizens), we will use your responses to the job questionnaire to place you in one of three categories. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed in one of the following categories:

• Best Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of all evaluation criteria.
• Well Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of evaluation criteria.
• Qualified: Applicants possessing the basic qualifications, with general knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

If, after reviewing your resume and any supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses will be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.

Your resume must document specialized experience and support your responses to the vacancy questions.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12281497

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar across HHS.