Public Affairs Specialist (Temporary NTE 1 yr)

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to United States Citizens; U.S. Nationals; and Career transition eligibles (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL). This announcement is for the Department of the Interior's Office of Communications-Public Affairs at multiple National Park Service units. Please refer to the "Location" section to see which National Parks are included on this announcement.

Communication Support and Project Assistance (45%)

• Drafts communication materials which include releases, advisories, talking points, and website content.
• Collaborates with other Public Affairs Specialists in the development of communication plans.
• Identifies information needs and recommends approaches.

• Responds to routine and moderately complex media inquiries.\Coordinates with program staff to ensure accuracy.
• Prepares leadership for interviews and briefings.
• Coordinates communication strategies and responses between leadership within the Departmental Communications office and lower organizational program managers.

• Coordinates events, media logistics, and stakeholder meetings.
• Provides information guidance to lower graded public affairs specialists.
• Participates in training and professional development.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required.
• Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• Depending on the location, you may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid state-issued driver's license.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
• You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You may be required to travel overnight away from home occasionally. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
• You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-07/22/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized Experience includes, but is not limited to, supporting public awareness campaigns by performing tasks such as monitoring the status of planned media events or conference, developing proposed brochures, flyers, etc., developing and disseminating factual information concerning an organization's programs or projects. Experience equivalent to the GS-07 may be professional work at the developmental or trainee level. Lower graded technician/assistant work alone is not qualifying for this series. You must provide hours/week and to/from dates (mo/yr) on your resume
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of a Master's or equivalent graduate degree -OR- 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Education must be directly related to the position and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. You must provide transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at a GS-9. Total qualifying education and experience as listed above when combined must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. For example, you have 6 months specialized experience at the GS-07 level (50%) and 27 semester hours/41 quarter hours of graduate level education (50%) You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized Experience includes, but is not limited to, propose strategic new media campaigns to educate customers and advance policies and activities; draft feature stories, interpretive materials, and other written communication products; and work with the media to explain organization's activities. Experience equivalent to the GS-09 may be professional work at the developmental or trainee level. Lower graded technician/assistant work alone is not qualifying for this series. You must provide hours/week and to/from dates (mo/yr) on your resume.
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M, if related. Education must be directly related to the position and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. You must provide transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at a GS-11. Total qualifying education and experience as listed above when combined must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. For example, you have 6 months specialized experience at the GS-09 level (50%) and 45 semester/68 hours of graduate level education (50%). You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Occupational Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions may affect your rating.

Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted. You may only submit one resume. Only the document submitted as the "Resume" under the Documents section will be used to determine your qualifications/eligibility and for rating purposes. In the event you submit more than one resume, only the latest submission will be reviewed.

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
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

• Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position.
• Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job.
• Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/22/2026:

1. Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and, indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade. Resumes must not exceed two single-sided pages and resumes longer than two pages will not be accepted.
   • The minimum font size is 10-point for all body text. Headers may be slightly larger but must remain legible.
   • All resumes must maintain a minimum 0.5-inch margins on all sides to ensure readability and prevent excessive content compression.
   • Including supplemental pages or attachments disguised as resume extensions are prohibited and will not be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications
2. A complete Occupational Questionnaire
3. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
   • Veterans Preference Documentation:
     • If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
     • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
     • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
   • If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
4. College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.
5. Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.

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