Public Affairs Specialist

As a Public Affairs Specialist your typical work assignments may include:

• Planning developing and implementing media programs for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) leaders and the Division that have coverage in multiple states to garner greater understanding of support for the mission.
• Coordinating local press conferences statements and press releases with the appropriate partner agencies in the event of a joint law enforcement investigation.
• Advising management at various Division levels on public information matters.
• Planning and directing special outreach events ceremonies tours and other activities intended to develop public and media interest within the Division.

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Incumbent is subject to random drug testing.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities visit: Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period (OR 1-year OR 2-year trial period as appropriate) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement.

Have at least one full year of qualifying specialized experience that is at least equivalent in difficulty and complexity to work performed at the GS-11 grade level. Specialized 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.

Applicants applying for the GS-12 must meet one of the following requirements:

Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

1) Serving as an organizational spokesperson or directly supporting spokesperson duties including responding to reporter inquiries; providing attributable statements or quotes for publication or broadcast; participating in recorded live or on-camera interviews and supporting press conferences media availabilities briefings and other direct engagements with news organizations;
2) Administering media relations or public information programs designed to increase public awareness and understanding of an organizations mission programs operations or accomplishments;
3) Establishing and maintaining professional working relationships with reporters editors producers assignment desks and other news media representatives;
4) Advising management on public information matters media inquiries interview preparation and engagement with news organizations;
5) Drafting press releases media statements talking points responses to reporter inquiries and attributable quotes for publication or broadcast; and
6) Planning and supporting press conferences media availabilities special events ceremonies tours and other public or media engagement activities.

Applicants applying for the GS-13 must meet one of the following requirements:

Have at least one full year of qualifying specialized experience that is at least equivalent in difficulty and complexity to work performed at the GS-12 grade level. Specialized 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.

Qualifying experience must demonstrate the following:

1) Serving as an authorized organizational spokesperson and engaging directly with local regional or national news media including being quoted by name or title in news coverage; providing live recorded and on-camera television or digital interviews; participating in radio interviews press conferences media availabilities and press briefings and responding in real time to reporter questions concerning complex sensitive high-profile or rapidly developing matters;
2) Independently developing and executing media relations and strategic communication plans for complex sensitive high-profile or rapidly developing matters;
3) Developing and maintaining productive professional relationships with reporters editors producers assignment desks and other news media representatives to facilitate accurate timely and responsible coverage;
4) Writing and clearing press releases media statements responses to inquiries talking points briefing materials and attributable quotes concerning enforcement actions critical incidents emerging issues and organizational priorities;
5) Advising and coaching senior managers or organizational principals before during and after live or recorded interviews press conferences media availabilities and other high-stakes public engagements;
6) Managing media responses during critical incidents or controversial matters including coordinating messaging with partner organizations and ensuring compliance with applicable policies governing the release of information; and
7) Developing or producing content for print radio television digital and social media concerning drug trafficking diversion substance misuse prevention emerging drug threats and related public safety trends.

Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Managements (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.