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Communication Specialist

General Services Administration
Office of Strategic Communication
This job announcement has closed

Summary

As a Communication Specialist, you will be responsible for drafting and reviewing responses to media inquiries, reviewing press releases, drafting pitches, and assisting in planning and coordinating public affairs events.

Location of position: GSA, Office of Strategic Communication, 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
12/11/2024 to 12/26/2024
Salary
$99,200 to - $128,956 per year

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
Washington, DC
Few vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel maybe required to attend job related training, events, and/or conferences.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
Z-2025-0008
Control number
823233700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

US Citizens and National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)

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Duties

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The Office of Strategic Communication is responsible for using communication to help the agency meet its mission and business goals. Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Assists in executing the strategic media and communications plans developed by the Press Secretary and Associate Administrator of OSC to maintain public confidence in and understanding for GSA programs and missions.

Responds to media inquiries, reviewing and editing GSA press releases, staffing media events, and responsible for any subsequent edits and/or needed follow-up to ensure information is communicated effectively and in line with the appropriate
messaging and through the correct mediums.

Works with the entire media affairs team to track projects, uses effective practices or devises innovative solutions to ensure they adhere to the optimal schedules, and keeps the Press Secretary and Associate Administrator apprised of their progress.

Organizes and coordinates print and broadcast media interviews with staff members, and assists with media events involving agency activities, including assisting with photography if needed by maintaining close cooperation with all public affairs officers assigned to central office and regional areas to help coordinate media outreach and public relations events, including researching opportunities for outreach and events.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
  • Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
  • Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
  • Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
  • Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
  • Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee.  We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.

This is NOT a remote position; you MUST reside within commutable distance (approximately 50 miles) from the duty station or relocate within a commutable distance to the duty station BEFORE your entry on duty date with GSA.

This position has job functions that must be executed within specific geographic locations. The official duty station is a federal facility, leased space, or an alternative worksite (typically the employee’s home) within the specified geographic area. You will be expected to report to a specific GSA duty location at least two or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy. The duty station will be - 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC.

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

  • the exact dates you held  each job (from month/year to month/year)
  • number of hours per week you worked (if part time).    

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here

The GS-12 salary range starts at $99,200.00 per year.  If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.  

To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience providing communications guidance and service to internal and external customers, through evaluating customers communication needs; developing and implementing communications strategies and plans; facilitating stakeholder meetings; creating and presenting briefing materials; authoring written materials for publication such as project fact sheets, position papers, website content, and establishing and maintaining working relationships with a wide range of customers.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Existing Writing Sample - You may be asked to bring an existing writing sample to the interview.

Bargaining Unit Status: This position is ineligible for the bargaining unit
If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage.

Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.  

Travel expenses associated with interviews may be approved. Determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved:

·       Recruitment incentive if you are new to the federal government

·       Relocation incentive if you are a current federal employee

·       Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government

Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.

If you are eligible under Merit Promotion, you may also apply under Vacancy Announcement #Z-2025-0007.  You must apply separately to each announcement to be considered for both.

GSA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility that goes beyond our compliance with EEO regulations including: 

  • Valuing and embracing diversity, promoting equity, inclusion and accessibility, and expecting cultural competence; and
  • Fostering a work environment where all employees, customers and stakeholders feel respected and valued.
Our commitment is: 
  • Reflected in our policies, procedures and work environment;
  • Recognized by our employees, customers and stakeholders; and
  • Drives our efforts to recruit, attract, retain and engage the diverse workforce needed to achieve our mission.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will use a method called Category Rating to assess your application. Here’s how it will work:

You will be scored on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities:

1. Skill in applying interpersonal skills, including displaying tact and diplomacy, to establish and maintain relationships with management officials at all levels.
1a. Ability to apply client relationship management tools, initiatives and evolving software tools that aid in varied business assessments and client needs management.

2. Ability to apply a wide range of communications concepts, methods, principles and practices.
2a. Skill in written communications.
2b. Skill in oral communications.
2c. Ability to apply tools and technology, as well as established protocols required to communicate messages on different platforms.

3. Ability to apply project management methods and techniques.
3a. Skill in applying qualitative and quantitative analytical methods to draw conclusions and make findings and recommendations.

4. Ability to apply knowledge of organizational programs, projects, and business lines in order to publicize and promote programs.
4a. Knowledge of business and industry policies and processes to develop and execute customer/audience appropriate communications, educational outreach and/or branding.

Your answers to the questions will be used to place you in one of the following categories and standard score ranges: [If the use of 4 categories is justified, adjust verbiage].

  • Best Qualified = Candidates scoring between 95 - 100
  • Well Qualified = Candidates scoring between 85 - 94 (Well Qualified for CTAP/ICTAP)
  • Qualified = Candidates scoring between 70 - 84

We will verify your answers to the questions in your resume. If your resume doesn’t support your answers, we may lower your score, which could place you in a lower category.

Within each category, veterans will receive selection priority over non-veterans.

Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle, e.g., the minimum qualification requirements. If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions.

If you are eligible under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP/CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.


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