Public Affairs Specialist

• Duties are listed at the GS-12 grade level.
• Participates in the development and implementation of public affairs communication plans program strategies and techniques for dealing with addressing critical and complex public issues.
• Uses a variety of communications methods and techniques (i.e. written oral visual and personal) in devising the appropriate communication method for each public affairs campaign.
• Coordinates implements and evaluates a communication program with responsibility of informing employees about agency philosophies and culture practices programs positions and initiatives.
• Analyzes public reaction and recommends changes to improve understanding.
• Organizes coordinates and implements effective employee and public meetings workshops field trips or other forums designed to foster employee and public participation.
• Supervises 20% or less of the time.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• 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 E-Verify.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public 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 period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

In order to qualify you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position visit the Office of Personnel Managements General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

GS-11: You must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in federal service. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Responding to requests for information by determining the nature of the data required and collecting and assembling the material using the appropriate format and style based on needs and organization practices; and/or identifying areas to be addressed characteristics and needs of the target audience and communication techniques most appropriate to address an audience; and/or assisting in evaluation and analysis of public comments on management issues; OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree that is directly related to position being filled from an accredited college or university; OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a masters degree i.e. more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.) as described above.

GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships at multiple levels within an organization to develop and disseminate coordinated messages that accurately address organizational programs; and/or preparing written materials to promote the organizations position on a variety of sensitive controversial and/or complex issues; and/or designing and tailoring meetings and public involvement strategies to audiences that involve a degree of controversy.