Public Affairs Specialist (Recent Graduate) Job in Rockville, MD

Vacancy No. HHS-OASH-RG-25-12590373 Department Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health
Salary $68,405.00 to $88,926.00 Grade 9 to 9
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/5/2024 Close Date 11/12/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Rockville, MD


Summary


This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia.


APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: This announcement is open for seven workdays or until the first 100 applications have been received. The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of this announcement.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Recent graduates who have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution. Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have as much as six years after degree completion to apply.

Duties

  • Identifies communications needs of a program area and develops informational materials that inform appropriate publics of the agency's policies, programs, and services.
  • Analyzes agency information program materials and offers recommendations for improving the delivery of program information to affected individuals and groups.
  • Researches and writes a variety of public affairs documents such as press releases, background talk papers and newspaper columns as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Registered or exempt from Selective Service (www.sss.gov)
  • Suitable for federal employment
  • Must have a qualifying degree or certificate
  • Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. All information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.
  • Documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
  • Financial disclosure statement may be required.
  • One-year probationary period may be required.

Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Minimum Qualification requirements as noted below.

Minimum Qualifications:GS-09: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing of the duties listed :Coordinating media interviews, implementing communication plans, planning media announcements, writing blogs, press releases, and other media relations materials, and managing digital content on websites and social media.

OR

Have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or to full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in any field of study or LL.B. or J.D., if related. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours will satisfy the one year of full-time study requirement.

OR

Have a combination of specialist experience as described in "A" above and graduate level education as described in "B" above.



Documenting experience:
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational application questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above.

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; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited.

OPM Qualification General Policies Website

Education

PATHWAYS - RECENT GRADUATE - ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants MUST MEET the following eligibility requirements to participate in the Pathways Recent Graduate Program:
- Have completed, within the last two (2) years as of the closing date of this announcement, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying education institute.
- Veterans who were unable to apply within two (2) years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, may be extended up to six years.

Note: You must submit transcripts (unofficial or official) and/or a letter from an education institute stating that you have meet all degree requirements; to be considered eligible for the Pathways Recent Graduate Program. Official transcripts will be required prior to an official job offer, if selected for this position.

Additional information

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public.

Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon multiple factors, including funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives may require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Incentives may include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc.

Bargaining Unit Position: No

Research position: No

Drug Screening Required: No

For information on "People with Disabilities" please visit http://opm.gov/disability/PeopleWithDisabilities.asp

For Most Effective Resumes Tips visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Most_Effective_Resumes.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please see Agency Contact Info for whom to contact for more info. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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.

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.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

Once the application process is complete, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be made to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Once the application process is complete, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be made to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Eligible and qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager in unranked order by preference status: (1) Preference eligible veterans having a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more (CPS and CP); (2) Other preference eligibles (XP); (3) Applicants eligible for 5-point veteran's preference (TP); and those (4) Applicants not eligible for veteran's preference (NV). In addition, interviews may be conducted for this position.


To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12590373

CONVERSION REQUIREMENTS:
Recent Graduates may be non-competitively converted to a term or permanent, competitive service appointment within HHS upon successful completion of Pathways Program requirements. However, non-competitive conversion or placement is not guaranteed, this is based on various factors such as budget, organizational needs, student performance, education, etc.
Eligibility for Conversion to Competitive Service:
- Complete one continuous year of work experience acquired through a Recent Graduate Program.
- Complete 40 hours of formal interactive training.
- Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted.
- Meet any agency-specific requirements specified in the Participant's Agreement.
- Demonstrate successful job performance that results in a rating of record of at least Fully Successful and a recommendation for conversion by the first level supervisor

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Resume. You are encouraged to use the USAJobs online resume builder to ensure that all required information is in your resume. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose, you must that includes the following information: 1) job information for which you are applying; 2) personal information (address, phone, and email); 3) Education; 4) work experience including the work schedule and hours worked per week as well as dates of employment; and title, series, and grade if applicable; 5) supervisors phone number and email address for each work period listed and whether or not we may contact them for reference checks; and 6) other qualifications.
2. A complete Application Questionnaire.
3. Supporting Documents:
- Veterans Preference Documentation. If you are a veteran claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (showing character of service). If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214 (showing character of service), you must also submit a standard form 15 (Application for 10-point Veterans Preference) and the required supporting documents listed on that form. If you are currently active duty, you must provide an official statement (including character of service and expected discharge date) from your command; discharge dates must be within 120 days from the closing of this announcement. For more information on veterans' preference see: www.fedshirevets.gov.

- Education. Transcripts are required: an unofficial copy of your transcript and/or letter from an education institute stating that you have meet all degree requirements; is sufficient with the application; however, if selected, an official college transcript will be required prior to entering on duty. Transcripts must show the institution name and individual's name. All education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. Foreign education must be evaluated by an approved organization. For additional information, refer to the U.S. Department of Education website at www.ed.gov. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed at foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by an accredited 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. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation, at the time of application, will result in lost of consideration. For more information, visit http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

APPLICATON MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59 pm (EASTERN TIME) ON 11/12/2024. Application materials will not be accepted after the closing date of this announcement.

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For additional information about USAJOBS visit the Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/

You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
3. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
4. To verify your application is complete, 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 Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
5. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of this announcement.

By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

Agency contact information

SROC Help Desk
Address
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health
200 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20201
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. The best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement.

You will receive notice via email or by mail, if no email address was provided by you during the application process, once this process is completed (generally 4-6 weeks).

You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).


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


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