The Office of the Director (OD) in the NIH is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Associate Director for Communications and Public Liaison. This is a career Federal position in the Senior Executive Service. See the "Duties" section for a list of the major responsibilities.
The Office of the Director (OD) in the NIH is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Associate Director for Communications and Public Liaison. This is a career Federal position in the Senior Executive Service. See the "Duties" section for a list of the major responsibilities.
Applications will be accepted from all qualified current Federal civil service employees. Current SES employees, SES reinstatement eligibles outside the civil service, and SES CDP graduates must apply to be considered for this position.
The Associate Director for Communications and Public Liaison (ADCPL) serves as principal advisor to the Director and Principal Deputy Director, NIH, on issues affecting the conduct of communication and public liaison activities at NIH.
The ADCPL is responsible for planning, directing, and executing national health and research communication efforts, including national press conferences, other forms of media engagement, social media strategies, and the use of other communication tools to convey health information based on NIH research or other NIH activities of significant interest to the public, policymakers, and the research community.
The ADCPL is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with high-level staff, including senior executives, corporate leaders, representatives of other Federal agencies, colleagues, universities, the media (foreign and domestic), specialized interest groups, and congressional offices to facilitate information exchange about NIH programs and in response tospecific inquiries.
The ADCPL is responsible for planning and executing special events on the NIH campus, including VIP visits, dedications, etc., and provides oversight of all official visits by heads of state, the Executive Branch, state and local elected officials, and influential members of the private sector.
The ADCPL provides oversight into all issues arising in connection with the FOIA, establishing and implementing NIH policies; establishing procedures for documenting release or denial; preparation of appeals; liaison with PHS/DHHS FOIA staff; and the provision of FOIA training for grants and contracts employees at the NIH.
The ADCPL leads the agency's media relations effort by serving as the NIH spokesperson on such issues, coordinating with DHHS and the White House on such activities, and representing the NIH Director in such interactions
The ADCPL leads public outreach efforts by providing research-related information to the public and targeted audiences, including biomedical researchers, healthcare professionals, institutional leaders, and government officials, both independently and through subordinate staff.
Manages an annual budget of approximately $28.6M and directs a staff of approximately 118 FTEs.
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 the pre-appointment process (i.e., background investigation, verification of qualifications and job requirements, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, etc.).
Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
This position requires completion of a public financial disclosure report.
A one-year probationary period must be served by the individual selected if not currently or previously in the career Senior Executive Service.
Qualifications
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume must include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.
There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume must demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.
TQ 1: Extensive experience leading organization-wide communications and public liaison functions within a research organization with a scientific, health, or biomedical focus, including developing and implementing creative solutions to enhance organizational mission, establish strategic results, and adapt to evolving stakeholder needs.
TQ 2: Demonstrated ability to build and leverage partnerships across diverse groups and lead results-oriented teams to maximize operational efficiency through coordinated, streamlined management practices that deliver measurable outcomes.
EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.
There are five ECQs:
ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
Please DO NOT submit separate documents addressing the ECQs or TQs.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
The OD, NIH seeks candidates who have a commitment to excellence and the energy, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking necessary to lead a dynamic organization.
All competitive candidates for SES positions with the Federal Government must demonstrate leadership experience indicative of senior executive-level management capability. The Associate Director for Communications and Public Liaison resides within the Office of Communications and Public Liaison in the Office of the Director, NIH, and reports directly to the Principal Deputy Director, NIH.
Applicants must meet the requirements for the GS-1035 series as defined by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Qualifications Standards Manual for General Schedule Positions, which is available at: OPM Qualifications Standards GS-1035 Website, and demonstrate in your two (2) page resume that you possess the Technical Qualifications (TQs) listed above. It is recommended that your resume emphasize levels of responsibility, scope and complexity of programs managed, and program accomplishments and results.
Candidates must possess experience at the senior level (GS-14/15 level or equivalent) in the job-specific Technical Qualifications (TQs). The TQs measure the technical expertise required by this position and must be addressed within your 2-page resume. It is recommended that corresponding TQs be annotated in parenthesis within your 2-page resume.
Political, Schedule C, Non-career SES Appointee*: In the last five years, based on the closing date of this announcement, have you been or are you currently an employee in the Executive Branch serving on a political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointment? If yes, and you are selected through this vacancy announcement, you may be required to obtain approval by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prior to beginning employment. (Please confirm whether or not you have this experience within your 2-page resume)
*A political appointee is an appointment made by the President without confirmation by the Senate (5 CFR 213.3102(c)) OR an Assistant position to a top-level Federal official if filled by a person designated by the President as a White House Fellow (5 CFR 213.3102(z)). A Non-career SES appointee is approved by the White House and serves at the pleasure of the appointing official without time limitations. A Schedule C appointee occupies a position excepted from the competitive service by the President, or by the Director, OPM, because of the confidential or policy-determining nature of the position duties.
NOTE: IF SELECTED, a Structured Interview will be used to certify the candidate by an OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB). If you are currently serving in a career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have successfully completed an SES Candidate Development Program approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), you WILL NOT need to participate in a Structured Interview.
Additional information
NIH is located in Bethesda, MD; our campus is adjacent to downtown Bethesda, MD, at the Medical Center Metro station, and close to shops, walking trails, and restaurants.
Travel and Transportation expenses may be authorized in accordance with applicable Federal Travel Regulations governing the relocation of current Federal employees and new appointees.
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.
To promote efficiency in the hiring process, the resume and corresponding responses of successful candidates may be shared with other Institutes/Centers of NIH with similar vacancies. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply directly to the vacancy of interest and not rely on this possibility as a means of securing employment.
Standards of Conduct/Financial Disclosure: The National Institutes of Health inspires public confidence in our science by maintaining high ethical principles. NIH employees are subject to Federal government-wide regulations and statutes as well as agency-specific regulations described at the NIH Ethics website. We encourage you to review this information. The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521, also requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually, and upon termination of employment.
If you are a hearing-impaired individual seeking assistance with the application process, you may contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this announcement by phoning a relay operator at 711. For additional information see Maryland Relay.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly: EEOSC.Accommdations@hhs.gov Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Selective Service: As a condition of employment, all male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service. If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
Veteran's Preference: Does not apply to the SES.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The federal government offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. For more information, check out New Employee Benefits at NIH and OPM's Employee Benefits Information.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We use a multi-step process to evaluate and refer applicants:
Minimum requirements: Your application must show that you meet all requirements, including the education and/or experience required for this position. You may be found 'not qualified' if you do not possess the minimum competencies required for the position. If your application is incomplete, we may rate you as ineligible.
Rating: A panel of Senior Executives will review your application and evaluate your qualification for this position based on the information in your application. Your application will be rated based on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of this position. Interviews will be at the discretion of the panel and/or selection official.
Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application will be referred to a selection official for consideration and possible interview.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The federal government offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. For more information, check out New Employee Benefits at NIH and OPM's Employee Benefits Information.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
To receive full consideration, each applicant must submit the MANDATORY documents in the format as designated.
Packages that do not include all of the required documents or meet format and length requirements will not be forwarded for consideration.
Document Formatting: Documents you submit must use a 12-point font with 1-inch margins, single-spaced. All documents (including the SF-50) MUST be submitted as PDF.
(Mandatory) RESUME: Two (2) page resume that contains your full name and contact information. Your resume must not exceed the two (2) page limit. Your application must describe your job-related qualifications pertinent to this position along with the dates (month/year) you performed these duties and job titles (include series and grade if a Federal job). The announcement number must be entered on the first page of your application.
Separate TQ or ECQ narratives will not be accepted or considered. It is recommended that the corresponding TQs be annotated in parentheses within your two (2) page resume.
(Mandatory) REFERENCES: Submit 4-5 professional references. Your provided references will include the following information: Current and/or former supervisor and a colleague. Include their title/organization, email addresses, and phone numbers where they can be reached. NOTE: By providing your references, you are granting permission for the search committee to contact and conduct reference checks. References will be contacted at the discretion of the search committee. Off-list references may be contacted (references not provided on your list). Only references of referred candidates will be contacted.
(Mandatory, if applicable) Current civil service employees must submit a copy of their most recent (current calendar year) Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing their position, title, series, grade, current salary, and eligibility. Please do not submit an award SF-50.
(Mandatory, if applicable) Current SES employees must submit a copy of your appointment SF-50 and your most recent (current calendar year) SF-50 showing your position, title, series, grade, current salary, and eligibility. Please do not submit an award SF-50.
(Mandatory, if applicable) Former SES employees with reinstatement eligibility must submit a copy of your last Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), which clearly shows your position, title, series, grade, and eligibility. Please do not submit an award SF-50.
(Mandatory, if applicable) SES Candidate Development Program Graduates whose ECQs have been approved by OPM, must submit your certificate/documentation indicating OPM approval.
Failure to provide all the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may remove you from consideration.
NOTES: Please do not submit unsolicited material such as publications, personal endorsements, performance appraisals, award certificates, proof of Veterans' Preference, etc., as these items will not be included in the rating process and will be discarded. (Veterans' Preference does not apply to positions in the Senior Executive Service). All application materials are subject to the provisions of the DHHS Privacy Act and become the property of the Department of Health and Human Services. Any additional information needed will be requested prior to appointment.
FAXED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
This announcement is located on the NIH Home Page under "Executive Careers." Additional information regarding the NIH may be found at the NIH website.
NOTE: Failure to comply with the required application procedures may result in non-consideration of your application.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Applicants must submit application materials ELECTRONICALLY by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to the following email address: seniorre@mail.nih.gov
To receive full consideration, each applicant must submit the MANDATORY documents in the format as designated.
Packages that do not include all of the required documents or meet format and length requirements will not be forwarded for consideration.
Document Formatting: Documents you submit must use a 12-point font with 1-inch margins, single-spaced. All documents (including the SF-50) MUST be submitted as PDF.
(Mandatory) RESUME: Two (2) page resume that contains your full name and contact information. Your resume must not exceed the two (2) page limit. Your application must describe your job-related qualifications pertinent to this position along with the dates (month/year) you performed these duties and job titles (include series and grade if a Federal job). The announcement number must be entered on the first page of your application.
Separate TQ or ECQ narratives will not be accepted or considered. It is recommended that the corresponding TQs be annotated in parentheses within your two (2) page resume.
(Mandatory) REFERENCES: Submit 4-5 professional references. Your provided references will include the following information: Current and/or former supervisor and a colleague. Include their title/organization, email addresses, and phone numbers where they can be reached. NOTE: By providing your references, you are granting permission for the search committee to contact and conduct reference checks. References will be contacted at the discretion of the search committee. Off-list references may be contacted (references not provided on your list). Only references of referred candidates will be contacted.
(Mandatory, if applicable) Current civil service employees must submit a copy of their most recent (current calendar year) Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing their position, title, series, grade, current salary, and eligibility. Please do not submit an award SF-50.
(Mandatory, if applicable) Current SES employees must submit a copy of your appointment SF-50 and your most recent (current calendar year) SF-50 showing your position, title, series, grade, current salary, and eligibility. Please do not submit an award SF-50.
(Mandatory, if applicable) Former SES employees with reinstatement eligibility must submit a copy of your last Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), which clearly shows your position, title, series, grade, and eligibility. Please do not submit an award SF-50.
(Mandatory, if applicable) SES Candidate Development Program Graduates whose ECQs have been approved by OPM, must submit your certificate/documentation indicating OPM approval.
Failure to provide all the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may remove you from consideration.
NOTES: Please do not submit unsolicited material such as publications, personal endorsements, performance appraisals, award certificates, proof of Veterans' Preference, etc., as these items will not be included in the rating process and will be discarded. (Veterans' Preference does not apply to positions in the Senior Executive Service). All application materials are subject to the provisions of the DHHS Privacy Act and become the property of the Department of Health and Human Services. Any additional information needed will be requested prior to appointment.
FAXED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
This announcement is located on the NIH Home Page under "Executive Careers." Additional information regarding the NIH may be found at the NIH website.
NOTE: Failure to comply with the required application procedures may result in non-consideration of your application.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Applicants must submit application materials ELECTRONICALLY by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to the following email address: seniorre@mail.nih.gov
