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Public Affairs Specialist

Department of Energy
Department of Energy - Agency Wide
Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

DOE's Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) invests in America's energy future by addressing vulnerabilities in U.S. energy supply chains. MESC serves as the frontline of clean energy deployment, accelerating America's transition to a resilient, equitable energy future through direct investments in manufacturing capacity and workforce development.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/26/2024 to 08/02/2024
Salary
$117,962 to - $181,216 per year

GS-13: $117,962 to $153,354. GS-14: $139,395 to $181,216.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
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
Term - Not to exceed 2 years; May be extended up to 4 years total based on agency needs.
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
24-MC-00140-12492210-DH
Control number
801827900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens- This direct hire public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Duties

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As a Public Affairs Specialist you may:

  • Plan, direct and execute internal and external communications agendas for assigned functional or program areas.
  • Direct and execute national campaigns to convey complex information concerning major DOE programs, research on program-related areas, responsibilities, and activities.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with national and international media representatives.
  • Create, develop, and execute communication outreach strategies to maintain public support through effective means.
  • As spokesperson, explain or clarify official DOE positions to the public on a wide range of topics which may be sensitive in nature.
  • Manage the preparation of and independently prepare press and informational releases for distribution to news media and to the public, including articles, op-eds, fact sheets, talking points and other material on energy and environment matters.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Subject to satisfactory security and suitability requirements.
  • May be required to successfully complete a 1 year trial period.
  • This position does not support 100% remote work. You will be required to report physically to the official reporting worksite as specified by the supervisor, but no less than 2 days per pay period.
  • A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.
  • This position is to be filled under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act direct hire authority.
  • This position has been designated as PUBLIC TRUST. A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or others with an existing investigation may not be required to undergo another check.
  • This position is included in a Bargaining Unit.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS GS-14: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-13 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as meeting ALL of the following:

  1. Overseeing the development of communications, outreach, and promotional materials to convey complex information involving highly visible and controversial issues. AND
  2. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with national or international media representatives. AND
  3. Managing the preparation of and independently preparing press and informational releases for distribution to news media and to the public, including articles, op-eds, fact sheets, talking points and other material on energy and environment matters.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS GS-13: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as meeting ALL of the following:
  1. Developing or approving content for social media or feature items on both technical and non-technical subjects. AND
  2. Developing, planning or executing complex media campaigns tailored to specific audiences designed to increase public understanding of multifaceted issues. AND
  3. Advising on potential media and public reaction to proposed policies and programs.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

OPM Qualification Standards for the GS-1035 series can be found at the following website: General Schedule Qualification Standards (opm.gov)

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

Education

There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.

Additional information

The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

  • This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
  • For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov
  • Status and Non-Status applicants from outside DOE selected under these authorities are required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period. A DOE career status employee selected for this position may be required to serve a new one (1) year probationary period, pursuant to 5 CFR 315.802.
  • If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
  • This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.
  • There may or may not be actual/projected vacancies at the time of your application.
  • More than one selection may be made under these hiring authorities.
  • Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
  • Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
  • New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify
  • Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
  • All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
  • EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center - Equal employment opportunity policy
  • Reasonable Accommodation Policy: USAJOBS Help Center - Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Veterans Information: USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans
  • Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/
  • The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged non-compliance by completing the Fair Chance Act Intake Form and submitting it to the Administrative Investigations Program at AdministrativeInvestigations@hq.doe.gov.

How you will be evaluated

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

This position is announced under a government-wide Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for positions in the GS- 1035 series supporting the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Under this Direct-Hire authority, applicants are required to meet minimum qualification requirements at the grade level(s) of interest. Veteran's Preference, Schedule A, Category Rating, and other methods of consideration DO NOT APPLY under Direct-Hire Authority regulations.

Appointments made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Civil Service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.

Successful candidates will possess the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Communications and Media
  • Oral Communication
  • Partnering
  • Planning and Evaluating


To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, clickhttps://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12492210.

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