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Public Affairs Specialist

Department of State
Department of State - Agency Wide
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Bureau of Global Public Affairs, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Media Strategy, Office of Press Operations, USAID Spokesperson Unit (GPA/GM/PRS), is indefinitely detailed to the U.S. Agency for International Development to serve as a press officer for USAID, and is responsible for a broad range of public affairs initiative, engaging the international media, advising Spokesperson and other officials on effective delivery of critical U.S. foreign policy messages.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Posted 11/13/24
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Telework is approved at the discretion of the supervisor.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$99,200 - $128,956 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Promotion potential
13
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Overseas and/or domestic travel may be required around 10% of the time.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
GPA-2025-0004
Control number
818544700

Duties

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  • Develops and applies new approaches, strategies, and communication plans to the most difficult and complex public affairs issues and advises the spokesperson on the effective delivery of critical U.S. foreign policy messages.
  • Responds to press inquiries, with required Department clearances, and takes steps to achieve and enhance understanding, often serving to advocate the Department's position to parties with an opposing position on controversial issues.
  • Evaluates media interactions, develops new ways to gather information; develops and/or reviews strategies for message delivery; assesses potential impact and public reaction; and provides recommendations consistent with U.S. foreign policy goals.
  • Provides clear and effective advice on the possible impact of policy decision from strategic communication perspective.
  • Anticipates and provides a rapid response to global activity.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
  • 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/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. If you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.

NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement. Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F.

Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

-Experience implementing major public information programs designed to provide foreign journalists with access to accurate and reliable information about U.S. foreign policy initiatives.

-Experience developing communication strategies/dissemination of information relating to U.S. foreign policy priorities.

-Experience researching methods to collect and analyze information that meets the needs of foreign audiences and promotes objective reporting of U.S. foreign policy objectives.

There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-12 position.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

  • For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or OAA@state.gov.
  • If eligible, telework and/or remote work agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. Please note that any approved remote work arrangement is subject to the locality pay area of the alternative telework worksite. 
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.  If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days.  Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions. 

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume will be conducted and compared against your responses to the assessment questions to determine if you are qualified for this job.  Note:  Responses to questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating. 

Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as described in the “Qualifications” section of this announcement, will be assigned a score between 70 and 100.  The assessment is used to measure the degree in which your background matches the competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:

  • Knowledge of U.S. society, foreign relations, and word events. 
  • Skill in developing and implementing outreach strategies and communications plans..
  • Ability to analyze and evaluate information derived from a variety of sources.
  • Knowledge of media/public relations methods and techniques.
  • Skill in interpersonal relations.
  • Ability to communicate effectively.  

Applicants found to be among the top qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.  Qualified non-competitive candidates must be deemed best qualified based on the applicant assessment in order to be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.

Agency Career and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and ICTAP) candidates must be rated "Well Qualified" for the position and earn a score of at least 85 (when applicants are rated in a range of 70 to 100) to receive consideration for selection priority.


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Department of State - Agency Wide

Agency contact information

Rebecca T. Hammond
Phone
771-204-7545
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
Hammondrt@state.gov
Address
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street N.W.
Room 2214 (HST)
Washington, District of Columbia 20520
United States

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