PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. 24-OEA-DE-12438955-LW Department Development Finance Corporation (formerly Overseas Private Investment Corporation)
Salary $68,405.00 to $128,956.00 Grade 9 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/10/2024 Close Date 6/21/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

This position is part of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Office of External Affairs. As a Public Affairs Specialist (Digital Communications Specialist), you will lead the management of DFC's external-facing website, including overseeing content management and identifying and executing relevant updates. The role will also serve as the primary liaison with external vendors to optimize DFC's website and drive engagement with target audiences.

Duties

As a Public Affairs Specialist (Digital Communications Specialist), you will:

  • Assist with, support or lead the management of the Development Finance Corporation's external-facing website, ensuring that it is up-to-date, accurate, and engaging.
  • Proactively assist with, support or identify and execute website enhancement projects, independently conducting thorough audits and applying best practices in User Experience (UX)/User Interface (UI).
  • Support or lead collaboration with external vendors, acting as the primary consultant to optimize the website's user interface, performance, and overall functionality.
  • Assist with, oversee or manage the Development Finance Corporation's website media library, including by uploading and posting Public Information Summaries, digital reports and policies, Board Resolutions, and other materials.
  • Support or lead comprehensive analysis of website performance, developing detailed reports that drive strategic decision-making.
  • Support or lead on the production of high-quality marketing products for social media platforms, websites, events, emails, communications campaigns, and related activities that align with the Development Finance Corporation's mission and objectives.
  • Assist with, support or manage email marketing initiatives, including creating content, overseeing subscriber lists, and conducting in-depth analysis of campaign results.
Please Note: This is a Bargaining unit position represented by AFGE, local 1534.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Must submit resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitability for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a secret/top-secret security clearance

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements no later than the closing date of this announcement.

You may qualify at the GS-09 level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your ability in:
assisting with website development and maintenance, recommending marketing materials for digital platforms and assisting with the organization's social media content and management.
OR

B. A master's or equivalent graduate degree in an accredited or pre-accredited college or university; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of a LL.B. or J.D degree, if related. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position;

OR

C. A combination of education and experience as listed above.

You may qualify at the GS-11 level, if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your ability in:
performing website development and maintenance, producing marketing materials for digital platforms, and performing social media management.

OR

B. A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of a LL.M. degree, if related. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position;

OR

C. A combination of education and experience as listed above.

You may qualify at the GS-12 level, if you fulfill all the following qualification requirements:
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates your ability in:
leading website management and maintenance, producing high-quality marketing materials, leading the organization's digital media campaigns and social media platforms.

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.

This position is being advertised concurrently with vacancy announcement 24-OEA-ST-12438956-LW using Merit Promotion (MP) procedures. If interested, refer to that announcement to determine if you meet MP requirements and can apply to that announcement. NOTE: You must apply separately to each announcement in order to be considered under both.

This announcement may be used to fill similar positions, if additional vacancies occur.

Education

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY?

You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. 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.

PASS/FAIL COURSES:
If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:
1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;
2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and
3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.
For more information: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp).

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility showing type of discharge/character of service. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must submit documentation from the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) showing type of discharge/character of service and your disability percentage. You may also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the documents listed in this form to support the claim for veteran preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/verify/).

Telework Suitability: The duties of this position are suitable for telework. The selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval and if they meet the eligibility criterion in the 2010 Telework Act.

Stipulations of Employment: Selection may require completion of a 1-year probationary period.

Work Schedule: This position allows for a flexible work schedule.

Miscellaneous: DFC uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.

If selection is made below the full performance level, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) will depend on the performance of the incumbent and are not guaranteed.

Recruitment and relocation incentives may be authorized for this position.

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.

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.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Communications and Media
  • Digital Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Web Design


The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Veterans' preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent will be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher).

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. Your responses to the job questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12438955
3. Other supporting documents:

  • Cover Letter, optional
  • College Transcript(s), if qualifying based on education
  • Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
  • Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section of this vacancy. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration.

If you have questions about this job, please contact the HR Office representative listed in the "Agency Contact Info" section of this vacancy announcement. If you need assistance in applying on-line, please refer to the How to Apply section above and explore the Federal Application Process information on the USAJobs website.
  • To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
  • You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
  • You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
If experiencing a significant hardship which hinders your ability to apply on-line, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this announcement at least two business days before the closing date, to discuss your situation. Failure to contact us within sufficient time may result in your hardship request being denied.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

You may preview the Assessment Questionnaire at: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12438955

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc. If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content (e.g. SSN or DOB), your resume will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you will not be considered for this vacancy.

Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted prior to the closing date of the announcement.

Agency contact information

Laura Whitlock
Address
International Development Finance Corporation
1100 New York Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20527
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

For status updates on your application, please follow the directions listed above in the How to Apply section. Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. If you are selected for an interview for this position, you will be contacted directly. A final job offer for this position is typically made within several weeks after the closing date of the vacancy announcement. After confirming a job offer, all other applicants will be notified of their non-selection.


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