Public Affairs Specialist
Job Location:
Washington, DC - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security within U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Public Affairs Digital Media Engagement Division located in Washington D. C.
CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more about CBPs mission core values and careers at This position starts at a salary of $57736.00 (GS-07 Step 1) to $91815.00 (GS-09 Step 10) with promotion potential to $91815 (GS-9 Step 10).
You will serve as a Public Affairs Specialist responsible for preparing coordinating editing and posting content regarding CBPs programs objectives and mission on CBPs social media accounts. Your primary responsibilities will be to draft content for CBPs social media accounts and to
conduct daily social media listening of conversations around CBP and CBP-relevant topics.
Work responsibilities include the following;
GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed select the Rest of United States pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series grade level and location of the visit this link to view special pay rate chart
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply to include persons with intellectual severe physical or psychiatric disabilities as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u) and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents experiences and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
- Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
- All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
- You may be required to pass a background investigation
- CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
- As an employee of CBP you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees and to CBP employees specifically as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.
- DHS uses E-Verify an internet-based system to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities..
- Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions - NTEU. For local chapter contact information see Chapter Websites - National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU
- The area surrounding the duty station by which people reasonably travel back and forth from home to work; Or
- The employees permanent duty station is located within the reasonable travel area surrounding the duty station of this vacancy; Or if applicable
- For employees who are detailed or temporarily promoted for more than 1 year to another duty location the detailed or temporary duty location is considered to be the duty location of record for commuting area purposes. For employees detailed or temporarily promoted for less than one year the permanent duty location is considered the duty location of record for commuting area purposes.
Experience: You qualify for the GS-07 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level performing duties such as:
- Collaborating with team members to draft and curate engaging social media content for platforms including Twitter Facebook Instagram and Threads ensuring alignment with organizational messaging and brand awareness goals.
- Assisting in the implementation of social media campaigns by utilizing management tools to schedule posts
foster community interaction and adapt content to meet platform-specific algorithms. - Participating in brainstorming sessions to research and develop content ideas working closely with designers
and photographers to produce high-quality digital assets - Monitoring and analyzing online conversations and user feedback to track audience behavior contributing to
the development of data-driven strategies for future social media campaigns.
- Creating editing and publishing written audio and video content for various social media platforms (e.g. Twitter Facebook Instagram Threads) to support agency communication goals.
- Working collaboratively within a team to execute modern social media programs including the implementation of engagement tactics audience growth strategies and brand awareness campaigns.
- Conducting daily social media listening to monitor public discussions identify information gaps detect rumors or misinformation and analyze public perception regarding agency-related topics.
- Collaborating with designers photographers and agency stakeholders to develop effective social media campaigns and ensure content aligns with agency mission policies and strategic objectives.
GS-07 Education Substitution:
- Successful completion of one year of full-time graduate education from an accredited college or university may substitute for the experience required at this level. This education must demonstrate the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours.
- A bachelors degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) may also substitute for the experience required. It is based on (1) class standing (2) grade-point average (i.e. GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0 excluding pass/fail credits. Pass/fail credits cannot be more than 10% of total credits) or (3) honor society membership. Review Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) to see if you qualify under this provision. Please see for additional information.
Combining Education and Experience: : When combining education with experience first determine the applicants total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then determine the applicants experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; finally add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. More information on this qualification standard is located here.
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.
You must:
- Meet all qualification requirements including education if applicable to this position subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
- Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 09/14/2026.
Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agencys core values of vigilance service to country and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges the use of illegal drugs (e.g. marijuana cocaine heroin LSD methamphetamines ecstasy) and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation possession sale receipt manufacture cultivation production transfer shipping trafficking or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process review the following link: Applicant Resources CBP Careers
Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
- Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
- A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
- Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
- Working as a contractor intern consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government
Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibilityon OPMs Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this addition you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.
Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e. physical or mental) covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position after notification of the adjudication of your request you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.
Additional Hiring and Special Appointing Authorities: See THIS JOB IS OPEN TO section above for what additional Appointing Authorities may apply. Veterans military spouses Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers and people with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents experiences and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility and to understand what documentation would be required with your application please click on the appropriate link below. You must provide documentation supporting your eligibility prior to the closing date of this announcement. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility please contact the CBP Hiring Center via the contact information listed at the end of this job opportunity announcement.
Positions with known promotion potential do not guarantee promotion nor is the promise of promotion implies
Please upload your resume under the Resume document type. Any other relevant supporting documents should be uploaded under their appropriate document types as mentioned above. Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Do notsubmit documents as a PDF Portfolios.
Candidates 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.
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
