Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist

Clarification from the agency

Status Candidates (Merit Promotion and VEOA Eligibles)

As a Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist at the GS-1035-14 level your responsibilities would include, but would not be limited to:

• Provides leadership and consultation to the Immediate Office of the Inspector General (IG) and the OIG Assistant Inspectors General in developing public affairs activities, including: responding to media inquiries; issuing press releases and social media posts about OIG mission products; engaging with media members about covering OIG work;
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with representatives of the media, and counterparts at relevant government agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), as well as at private and public organizations interested in the work of the OIG;
• Produces special events, ceremonies, and other activities intended to develop interest in OIG mission and programs; provides guidance and direction to other Immediate Office or OIG personnel assigned to assist with such productions;
• Plans, directs, and executes efforts to convey information concerning programs, activities, and services on a variety of platforms. Conducts the communications program with responsibility for planning, designing, and executing a program to inform and educate, often under challenging conditions in view of the nature of the OIG's work;
• Leads the OIG's internal communications program, designed to develop and build community within the OIG through production of events, such as Town Halls, awards ceremonies, leadership conferences, and OIG Speaker Series;
• Ensures that OIG staff are kept abreast of developments within the OIG and CIGIE through email notifications, internally produced informational products, intranet postings, and other means;
• Periodically assesses and adjusts the OIG's internal communications program to better address the needs of the organization;
• Oversees content management for the Office of Communications Hub site and the foregoing work and supervises staff of the OIG's Office of Communications, located within the Immediate Office of the Inspector General;
• Uses a variety of advanced methods and techniques in achieving the OIG's communication goal of reaching the broadest audience to make the public aware of the OIG's work, such as press releases, social media, web communications, radio and television coverage, podcasts, feature articles, personal appearances, new conferences, brand enhancement, design elements for reports and website, etc. Leverages new developments in communication and technology to improve the quality and timeliness of announcements and release of completed OIG work;
• Organizes, plans, designs and executes communication strategies and implements OIG media notifications, press releases, and social media content in connection with issuance of OIG reports, providing guidance and direction to other Immediate Office and OIG personnel assigned to assist with such tasks
• Develops, produces, and transmits informational materials to a variety of audiences to enhance the understanding of the mission, programs, and accomplishments of the OIG, including but not limited to podcasts and video productions; provides guidance and direction to other Immediate Office or OIG personnel assigned to assist with such productions;
• Provides information, advice, and recommendations to the IG and the Deputy Inspector General, Assistant Inspectors General, and Immediate Office counsel on evolving modes of communication and the use by OIG of such modes; and
• Designs, executes, and evaluates OIG communications programs to ensure the OIG is effectively providing information to the public about its work, by among other things, tracking and assessing metrics about the effectiveness of digital media.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• You must be registered for the Selective Service, if applicable.
• You must successfully pass and are subject to random drug screenings.
• You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• You may be subject to a probationary period.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level obtained in the public sector. Specialized experience is paid or unpaid experience which has equipped you with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position, examples of specialized experience would typically include, but not be limited to:

• Serving as a senior public affairs advisor for an organization within a Federal agency with responsibility for planning, developing, and communicating information about the organization's products, accomplishments, and mission across various platforms in coordination with the agency's leadership;
• Coordinating preparation of medial releases, social media and video content, and other forms of communication with the public;
• Planning and producing special programs and events;
• Engaging in and coordinating aspects of the organization's graphic design, photography and videography, and web content;
• Addressing public affairs matters for the organization on a national scale; and
• Leading the strategy for the organization's internal communications.

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade level (or equivalent).

Drug Testing: This job has been identified as "testing designated" under our Drug-Free Workplace Program. Therefore, you must satisfactorily complete a drug test prior to being hired. The agency will schedule, provide and pay for the drug test. Once on board, you will be subject to random drug testing.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP). The CTAP/ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for CTAP/ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and (for scored examining) score 85 or better on established ranking criteria OR (for category rating criteria) rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is at: www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

** PROBATIONARY INFORMATION: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary or 2-year trial periodduring 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 or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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 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), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire and a review of your application by a panel of subject matter experts. You will be assessed on the following competencies:

1. Communications & Media
2. Leadership
3. Strategic Thinking
4. Writing

Resume Review: Your resume will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications. Applicants found to meet the requirements will be eligible to proceed to a qualifying interview.

Qualifying Interview: Applicants who pass the resume review will be assessed via an interview.

For Category Rating: At the conclusion of the assessment process, qualified candidates will be placed into one of three categories. Qualified, Well Qualified and Best Qualified.

Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.

Well Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and demonstrates proficiency in the Competencies. (This category must be met to be considered under ICTAP procedures)

Best Qualified Category = Meets the basic qualifications requirements described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and excels in the Competencies. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position.

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 category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent or higher will be listed in the highest quality category.

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. The Subject Matter Expert measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

The Subject Matter review includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12958325

If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for further employment consideration.

• Resume
  • Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be removed from consideration for this announcement. The resume and required supporting documentation should provide the minimum qualifications and relevant experience for the announced 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, and 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.
• SF-50 documentation (if applicable)
  • Must show (most recent Promotion, Within Rate Increase, or Appointment/Conversion SF-50 or Notification of Personnel Action if you are applying as a current or former Federal Employee) you have acquired competitive status, and the highest grade or promotion potential you held. Award SF-50's are not acceptable alone as they do not show your grade and step.
• CTAP/ICTAP documentation (if applicable)
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and (for scored examining) score 85 or better on established ranking criteria OR (for category rating criteria) rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.
  • The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and (for scored examining) score 85 or better on established ranking criteria OR (for category rating criteria) rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.
• Veterans' Preference documentation (if applicable)
  • If you are a veteran and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility.
  • If you are a veteran and you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference click here.
• Education documentation (if applicable)
  • Degree: Unofficial college transcript (If you are selected, an official transcript will be required before your first day)
• Schedule A documentation (if applicable)
  • Schedule A: DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department. DOJ also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes.

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