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Public Affairs Specialist


Job Location:

Rockville, MD - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 121785 - 121785
Posted: 6 October 2026 (22 days ago)
Application Deadline: 3 January 2027
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration headquartered in Rockville Maryland.


Duties

As a Public Affairs Specialist you will:

  • Develop and maintains web content in support of Bureau initiatives including policy updates implementation timelines system enhancements governance changes and stakeholder resources while monitoring website analytics and user feedback to identify content gaps and recommend improvements to navigation usability and message clarity.
  • Conduct quality assurance reviews of web pages and downloadable materials to ensure formatting consistency accessibility compliance and adherence to HHS HRSA and program branding standards.
  • Use a variety of methods and techniques in achieving communication goals such as news releases radio and televisions scripts feature articles personal appearances new conferences exhibits brochures pamphlets meetings newsletters trainings social media.
  • Develop plans for campaigns to disseminate information about organizations programs. Organizes campaigns to bring about timely and coordinated use of all facilities and skills available in the organization within the agency and with cooperating State and other Federal agencies.

Requirements
Conditions of employment
  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Males born after December 31 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service -
  • Suitable for federal employment
  • Meet time in grade restrictions by the closing date of the announcement
  • Appointment will be subject to the applicants 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.
  • Financial disclosure statement may be required.
  • Probationary (or trial) period may be required.
Qualifications


WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR


Minimum Qualifications: You must have one year specialized experience to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service performing of the ALL following:

  • Developing and managing web content translating complex policy and program information into clear user-friendly formats and using analytics and feedback to improve navigation and accessibility.
  • Conducting quality reviews to ensure Section 508 compliance consistent formatting and adherence to federal branding standards.
  • Planning and implementing public affairs and communications programs including producing materials such as fact sheets newsletters web content and social media content.
  • Advising leadership on messaging strategies and executing integrated outreach campaigns across multiple channels in coordination with internal and external partners.

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 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 employees position is creditable however when documented by satisfactory evidence such as a signed memorandum from the employees 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 employees official personnel 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
Additional information

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols such as protocols related to masking physical distancing testing travel and quarantine.

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: Yes

Research position: No

Drug Screening Required: No

Applicants selected for this position will be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring.


Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans - Hiring Authorities for Military Spouses - With Disabilities (Schedule A) - Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP/ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an CTAP/ICTAP eligible see To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85.0 or above on the rating criteria for this position.

Reemployment Priority List (RPL): To receive selection priority for this position individuals on the RPL must meet the qualification requirements complete all required assessments and be rated as qualified. RPL candidates are ranked using Category Rating procedures.

Beginning January 1 2010 agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5 United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years a political Schedule A Schedule C or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

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Application Tips visit: additional information about USAJOBS visit the Help Center: should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this announcement. Evaluation will be based on your application materials (such as your resume and supporting documents) your responses to the application questionnaire and the results of all required assessments.

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.


Required Experience:

IC