Communications Specialist Job in Tacoma, WA

Vacancy No. Z-2025-0004 Department Office of Strategic Communication
Salary $97,376.00 to $126,585.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/19/2024 Close Date 12/3/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Tacoma, WA


Summary

The Office of Strategic Communication is responsible for using communication to help the agency meet its mission and business goals.

Location of position: GSA, Office of Strategic Communication, Region 10 - 1301 A Street, Suite 610, Tacoma, Washington 

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

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

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

Duties

As a Communications Specialist, you will be determining and preparing communication vehicles to ensure consistent branding and messaging in anticipation of and/or response to information needs for stakeholders. Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Develops relationships and partnerships with assigned clients to provide strategic advice and direction regarding client's needs, to promote a client focused approach designed to integrate client initiatives and perspectives into communication projects, and to facilitate the development of communication solutions, options and recommendations to identify and implement satisfactory resolutions.

Leads and coordinates communications activities across teams, creating a comprehensive communications program for clients that includes a defined plan based on various audiences, and proactively managing communications strategy based on the comprehensive program and understanding of the business.

Responsible for the planning, developing, scheduling, and implementing internal and external campaigns, which includes the development an overall plan for events that can include site selection, providing budgetary figures to operating officials, selection of a facility, contracting, and other coordinating instructions and requirements.

Leads developing and coordinating special events such as agency Town Halls, and special recognition meetings, ensuring that all logistics and time frames are met, and that all necessary coordination among GSA stakeholders is accomplished, including organizing public forums and arranging for any publicity or employee notification in conjunction with these events.

Serves as a central researcher, writer, editor, proofreader, and production coordinator for a variety of multimedia communications deliverables, that articulate, interpret and explain highly complex and important agency and/or client policies, programs, surveys and research findings.

Serves as a consultant to assess and improve the effectiveness and management of GSA written communication initiatives, processes and systems.

Works closely with external communications/media affairs personnel to communicate on GSA programs and services, proactive and reactive in nature, includes researching and developing responses to members of the media and participating in public engagement outreach efforts.

Requirements

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 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 (listed below) at least one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy.

The duty station will be Region 10 - 1301 A Street, Suite 610, Tacoma, Washington 

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 $97,376.00 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 eligible 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-2025-0003.  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.

Benefits

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.

You will have access to many benefits including:

  • Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
  • Life insurance coverage with several options
  • Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
  • Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Transit and child care subsidies
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Long-term care insurance
  • Training and development

Review our benefits

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 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
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.

3. Ability to apply project management methods and techniques.

4. Ability to apply knowledge of organizational programs, projects, and business lines in order to publicize and promote programs.

5.   Skill in written communications.
5a. Skill in oral communications.
5b. Ability to apply tools and technology, as well as established protocols required to prepare newsletters, webinars, client conferences, formal briefing papers, reports, etc.
5c. Skill in applying qualitative and quantitative analytical methods to draw conclusions and make findings and recommendations.

6. 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.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.

  • Your resume showing applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.

  • If you are claiming veterans' preference:

    1. Copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 that shows your type of discharge and the dates of your active duty service.
    2. If you are claiming 10-point preference or derived preference (a spouse, widow or widower, or parent of a deceased or disabled veteran), submit both of the following in addition to the DD-214: (1)completed SF-15 form; and (2) proof of your entitlement (refer to SF-15 for complete list).
  • If you are active duty military- Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted).
  • If you are ICTAP/CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.
  • Current or Former Political Appointees: Submit SF-50.

How to Apply

Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application.  For more detailed instructions on how to apply, click here: Apply for a GSA Job.

If you are having issues applying to this announcement, you should switch to a different browser, network or device. Note: Your firewall may block your transfer from USAJOBS to your GSA application. 

To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement.

  • Sign in or register on USAJobs and select a resume and documents to include in your application.
  • Once you have clicked Apply for this position now, you will be taken to the GSA site to complete the application process.
  • Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete.  If you click Return to USAJobs or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job.
  • Note:  Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process).

Need Assistance? 

  • Questions or issues completing an application and/or submitting documentation - contact mgshelp@monster.com or 1-866-656-6831 Monday-Friday 7AM - 7PM EST, except for Federal holidays
  • Specific questions on the position - contact the HR representative (Monday-Friday during normal business hours) listed on the announcement, prior to the application deadline

You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions.

Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.

Agency contact information

Malcolm Campbell
Address
GSA, Office of Strategic Communication
General Services Administration (GSA)
Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)
1800 F Street NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

After the closing date/deadline:

  1. ELIGIBILITY/QUALIFICATIONS: Your application will be reviewed for all requirements.
  2. REFERRAL TO MANAGEMENT: If you meet all the requirements, you may be referred to management for review and a possible interview.
  3. SELECTION/TENTATIVE JOB OFFER: If you are selected, you will receive a tentative offer and start the suitability and/or security background investigation process.
  4. FINAL JOB OFFER: Once our security office determines you can come on board, you will be given a final offer, which is typically 40 days after the announcement closes.
  5. FINAL COMMUNICATION:  Once the position is filled, we will notify you of your status. You may also check your application status by logging into USAJOBS and clicking “Track this Application” on the Applicant Dashboard.

Thank you for your interest in working for U.S. General Services Administration!




Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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