Public Affairs Specialist

• Conducts the public affairs program for the State with responsibility for planning developing and communicating RD programs policies and activities to the States publics.
• Designs convenes and conducts public involvement programs and meetings to gather information on: Community needs stakeholder viewpoints and local community development activities. Also provides in depth information on Rural Development programs.
• Prepares and coordinates responses to inquiries and concerns from: The general public public officials stakeholders community and special interest groups regarding Rural Development programs policies and activities.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with representatives of the media state legislative delegations and state and local governments to ensure broad dissemination of information about Rural Development programs and services.
• Coordinates and develops a newsletter as well as articles for other non-Rural Development publications journals magazines and newsletters providing information about the nature and purpose of State RD programs and activities.

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit - 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 a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period depending on your appointment type unless previous federal service is creditable. During this time your employment will be evaluated and 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.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions specialized experience and/or education as defined below.

Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

For the GS-11 grade level: Applicants must possess (1) year of specialized experience which is equivalent to at least the GS-09 or its non-federal equivalent that demonstrates: writing editing and reviewing news advisories releases government/professional correspondence talking points or questions and answers; implementing communication plans for an organization; developing written communication material concerning a range of subjects related to the organizations programs; or analyzing information program materials and making recommendations for improving the delivery of program information OR PhD. Or equivalent doctoral degree OR three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M if related. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying at this grade level.

For the GS-12 level: Applicants must have (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates: designing planning and directing or advising on the public affairs program in an agency or organization that requires a wide range of knowledge of communication requirements and techniques; ability to analyze a number of alternative approaches in the process of advising management concerning major aspects of the public affairs program developing and disseminating information materials to the general public or specialized target groups; writing annual reports to congress; speech writing; develop and write for the web. There is no substitution of education at this grade level.

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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.