Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

NIDA's mission is to advance science on the causes and consequences of drug use and addiction. NIDA supports and conducts basic and clinical research on drug use, its consequences, and the underlying neurobiological, behavioral, and social mechanisms involved, and ensuring the effective translation, implementation, and dissemination of scientific research findings to improve the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders and enhance public awareness of addiction as a brain disease.

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
06/01/2024 to 06/20/2024
Salary
$163,964 to - $191,900 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Montgomery County, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
NIH-NIDA-DE-24-12419570
Control number
792939800

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. Foreign nationals or legal permanent residents are not eligible for consideration. This job is also open to USPHS Commissioned Corps Officers and Call-To-Active Duty (CAD) Candidates.

Duties

Help

  • Supervises staff and oversees the full range of functions and responsibilities of Communications Branch (CB), which includes scientific and technical writers and editors, press officers, technical information specialists, website programmers and content managers, video specialists, and social media strategists.
  • Advises the NIDA Director, Office of Science Policy and Communications (OSPC) Director, and senior leadership on a comprehensive approach to communicating drug use and addiction research advances and their applications within society to the scientific community and the public.
  • Cultivates and maintains relationships with members of national and international scientific and lay media outlets to interpret and broadly disseminate the goals and results of NIDA research and programs with technical accuracy and through compelling formats.
  • Oversees the design, development, and operation of the Institute's primary internet and intranet websites, as well as sets broad policy and provides consultation for the development and management of other Institute developed or supported websites.
  • Oversees the design, development, and operation of a program of video, graphic (computer and photographic), and medical arts to support NIDA activities consistent with communications priorities.
  • Oversees the development and implementation of robust standards and systems to archive all audiovisual and other graphic assets and to make Institute collections available to internal staff, NIH and DHHS contacts, and the public, as appropriate.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.

Qualifications

You qualify at the GS-15 level, if you meet one of the following qualification requirements: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks:

  • Directing the planning and implementation of national information/education/outreach programs that support and promote an organization's goals, research, and programs.
  • Managing the development of media products and media campaigns to improve health and wellness.
  • Writing or directing writing of news releases, feature stories, and other documents to accurately and effectively communicate complex scientific information to national audiences.
  • Developing a strategic communications plan for an organization that identifies and prioritizes communications needs.
You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12419570

Education





Additional information

  • This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.
  • A one-year probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.
  • This position has a position requirement of completing a one-year supervisory trial/probationary period.
  • PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration
  • We may make additional selections for similar positions within the commuting area(s) of the locations listed through this vacancy announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s). Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions.
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Visit our Applicant FAQs page for helpful information on the application process.
  • Visit our Total Compensation page and this sample for a detailed look into the benefits, awards, leave, retirement, and other incentives employees may receive as part of a rewarding work environment.
  • If selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 450 to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the agency. This information is required annually. For information, visit the NIH Ethics website: https://ethics.od.nih.gov/fd
  • At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities: telework (work from home on a regular basis or ad hoc basis but reports to the office at least once a week/two days a pay period), compressed schedules, and flexible schedules.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • 1. Skill in development of materials to disseminate information on the programs, policies, functions, and research of the organization.
  • 2. Ability to establish and manage a public relation program.
  • 3. Skill in developing communication plans and outreach programs.
  • 4. Ability to supervise and lead others.


If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application and responses to the online questionnaire will be evaluated under Category Rating and selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:
  • Best Qualified - for those who are superior in the evaluation criteria
  • Well Qualified - for those who excel in the evaluation criteria
  • Qualified - for those who only meet the minimum qualification requirements
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Applicants determined to be Best Qualified will be referred for further consideration. Preference eligibles in the Best Qualified category are referred before all other applicants.

To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Ensure you support your self-ratings by the information you provide in your application. We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as having knowledge of your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin prior to receiving an offer.

To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least an 85 on the assessment and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.