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Public Affairs Specialist

Department of Homeland Security
Transportation Security Administration
Strategic Communications and Public Affairs (SCPA), Public Affairs Division, Media Relations Branch

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a key advisor on strategic communications initiatives and manage assigned communications portfolios. You will support the development and execution of multimedia, digital, and public-facing communication products that advance organizational priorities.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with departmental policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$107,446 - $139,684 per year

The reflected salary above does not include locality pay. Salary will be adjusted in accordance with the locality pay of the duty location selected.

Pay scale & grade
SV J
Promotion potential
J
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
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.
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
HQ-SCPA-61269-13089463-ST
Control number
889045600

Duties

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This Public Affairs Specialist position is located in Strategic Communications & Public Affairs, Public Affairs Division, Media Relations Branch, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to:

  • Plans and executes internal and external communications activities for assigned SCPA programs and functional areas. Develops communications, outreach, and promotional materials that explain complex, high-visibility, and potentially controversial issues to a range of audiences. Conducts research on program responsibilities, activities, policies, and emerging issues to support national communications campaigns. Advises leadership and program officials on potential media and public reactions to proposed policies, programs, and initiatives. Establishes and maintains productive relationships with local, national, and international media representatives and responds to communications issues affecting SCPA.
  • Develops and implements short- and long-term communications strategies to promote public understanding of SCPA programs and activities among the media, industry stakeholders, other Federal agencies, Congress, the general public, and internal audiences. Prepares key messages, communication plans, outreach products, and implementation approaches using a variety of communications channels. Identifies and assesses potentially controversial issues with national or international impact and recommends appropriate communications responses. Leads or participates in special projects involving policy-sensitive or confidential matters, ensuring communications activities are consistent with SCPA policy and organizational objectives.
  • Manages strategic communication portfolios; to include regular information gathering, tracking of SCPA support requests, and evaluation of effectiveness. Provides strategic communications and public affairs subject matter expertise
    concerning agency programs, developments, and policies. Provides advice and counsel to senior leadership on strategic communications, audience outreach, and engagement opportunities as they relate to the TSA mission and goals.
  • Conducts extensive research, develops plans, and
    contributes to the implementation of a variety of Public Affairs projects and programs; utilizes metrics to track the progress of projects and developing reports of findings to management and other TSA entities. Consults and advises executive level program managers regarding their communication needs and advises headquarters senior program managers and field leadership on how to build stronger communication products and systems for delivering products.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  1. You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National.
  2. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application.
  3. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI).
  4. Selective Service registration is required.
  5. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance
  6. Travel Required at least 50%
If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for TSA to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience: To qualify at the SV-J (GS-14) band level: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the SV-I (GS-13) in the Federal service or private sector. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Leading communications and outreach efforts for external stakeholders, including partner agencies, industry groups, community organizations, media outlets, and customers; advising leadership and program offices on effective messaging and communication approaches; AND
  • Researching, drafting, reviewing, editing, and coordinating press releases, public statements, talking points, speeches, media advisories, and other public-facing communications materials; AND
  • Developing and executing strategic communications plans and advising senior leadership on communications strategies, messaging, and sensitive or high-visibility matters.
Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). 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.

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, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Education

For positions requiring positive education requirements, or if you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses from an accredited college or university, which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume. The information must be provided with the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, the applicant must supply a transcript or certification of degree.

Additional information

Eligibility to apply for other Federal positions: TSA is an Excepted Service agency exempt from most of Title 5 United States Code, including regulations which apply to displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) of other agencies, and employment with TSA does not confer "Competitive Status" that generally results from selection and service in Competitive Service agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established an Interchange Agreement, which allows most permanent TSA employees to apply and be considered for vacancies in Competitive Service agencies. Information from OPM on this or other Interchange Agreements is available at: www.opm.gov/

To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation as a condition of placement into this position.

DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

TSA employees who are absent for the purpose of performing military duty may apply for any vacancies announced in their absence.

More than one position may be filled from this announcement.

If you are entering TSA employment on an appointment without time limitations, you must serve a basic trial period unless you have already met the requirement.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

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

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork

The USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

You may preview the questions for this vacancy here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13089464

Transportation Security Administration

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. Make an impact; join DHS.

Agency contact information

Text "Hiring" to 275872
Phone
275872
Email
hc-serveu-donotreply@tsa.dhs.gov
Address
DR - Strategic Communications and Public Affairs
6595 Springfield Center Dr
Springfield, VA 22150
US

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