Public Affairs Specialist

• The duties are listed are at the full performance grade level.
• Plans, directs and implements a comprehensive public affairs program for the unit.
• Informs interested publics including other agencies, organizations, and individuals of units activities and programs.
• Advises as to how to present the organizations position on controversial issues.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with media representatives in the unit's zone of influence.
• Collaborates with other staff to develop and implement public affairs communication plans, program strategies and techniques for dealing with and addressing critical and complex public issues.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

GS-07: Applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level, GS-05. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: assisting in planning and executing public information and outreach activities, including helping prepare informational materials and supporting events designed to communicate organizational programs to the public; and/or drafting routine communication products such as brochures, pamphlets, basic news releases, and informational articles, following established formats and guidelines and coordinating printing or distribution under supervision; and/or responding to routine public and internal inquiries by providing clear, factual information based on approved messaging, ensuring accurate communication and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals interested in or affected by agency programs.
OR
Successful completion of one full academic year (18 semester hours) of graduate-level education from an accredited college or university in a field that is related to the position being filled that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
Superior Academic Achievement (SSA) with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field that is qualifying for this position and one of the following: graduated in the upper third of the college graduating class; member of a national honor society (excluding freshman honor society); had a 3.0 GPA or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or had 3.5 GPA or higher out of a possible 4.0 on the average of all required courses completed in the major or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum (GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, i.e., 2.95 rounds to 3.0 and 2.94 rounds to 2.9).
OR
A combination of experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level as described above AND one full academic year (18 semester hours) of graduate-level education from an accredited college or university in a field that is related to the position being filled that together demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

GS-09: Applicants must possess at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level, GS-07. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: assisting in creating written communication materials, including basic news releases, informational articles, brochures, and pamphlets, using established formats, templates, and instructions; and/or responding to routine information requests from the public, partner groups, and internal staff, providing approved program details or directing inquiries to the appropriate sources; and/or contributed to public information efforts by coordinating simple communication tasks, reviewing existing outreach materials, and suggesting minor improvements under supervision.
OR
Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years (36 semester hours) of progressively higher-level graduate education from an accredited college or university in a field that is related to the position being filled that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
A combination of the experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level AND 2 full years (36 semester hours) of progressively higher-level graduate education from an accredited college or university in a field that is related to the position being filled that together demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

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.

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 in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. You will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Individuals with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category.

Accomplishment Record Review: If you are found minimally qualified, a rating panel will review your resume and Accomplishment Record narratives.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13051644

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

• Resume that includes: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; Work Experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications. Resume cannot exceed 2 pages.
• If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
• If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
• If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FedsHireVets.
• Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), current performance appraisal with rating of at least "Fully Successful" or equivalent, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.

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