Strategic Communications Specialist

This position starts at a salary of $74678.00 (GS-11 Step 1) to $116362.00 (GS-12 Step 10).

As a Strategic Communication Specialist you will provide leadership with advice and assistance in writing and developing communications materials to ensure coordination and communication throughout the organization. Duties and responsibilities include:

• Planning writing and editing internal and external communication products to keep stakeholders informed of sector operations programs priorities and initiatives.
• Developing implementing and evaluating the effectiveness of sector communication strategies materials and programs that support and promote enhanced engagement with USBP stakeholder communities.
• Identifying and anticipating communication needs and potential reaction from stakeholders including congressional; media; non-governmental; state local and tribal governments; and other USBP stakeholder communities.
• Establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with USBP headquarters subject matter experts and other sector communication offices responsible for congressional public and intergovernmental affairs.

• 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 Border Patrol Council - NBPC. For local chapter contact information see You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level performing duties such as:
  • Recommending potential solutions for communication problems.
  • Developing implementing and evaluating the effectiveness of communication strategies materials and programs that support and promote enhanced engagement with stakeholder communities.
  • Conducting analysis of communications strategies to ensure issues and concerns are addressed accurately and tactfully in both internal and external correspondence.
  • Providing communication-oriented recommendations regarding technical documents; preparing talking points and anticipated questions and answers for leadership to ensure concerns are addressed in a wide range of engagement forums.
  GS-11 Education Substitution: Completion of 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a degree from an accredited college or university a doctoral degree and or LL.M. if related that demonstrates the skills necessary to do the work. You will be required to submit proof of my educational claim with application.
  
  GS-11 Combining Education and Experience: ombinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified and may be computed by first determining the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11.
  
  Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level performing duties such as:
  • Assisting higher-graded communication or public affairs staff in planning drafting and editing internal and external communication products (e.g. talking points fact sheets reports emails briefings presentations) to inform stakeholders about organizational operations programs or initiatives with final products reviewed and cleared by senior staff.
  • Supporting the development and execution of basic communication plans or campaigns by gathering background information drafting proposed messages identifying target audiences and tracking feedback or outcomes to help evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies.
  • Coordinating with subject matter experts and communication offices (e.g. headquarters public affairs congressional or intergovernmental affairs) to collect accurate information ensure messaging consistency and prepare draft responses to routine requests for information from internal or external stakeholders.
  • Identifying straightforward communication issues or stakeholder concerns summarizing those issues for leadership and recommending or drafting proposed communication materials or adjustments subject to review by a higher-graded specialist or supervisor.
  • Participating in stakeholder engagement activities (such as briefings outreach events or meetings) by preparing draft talking points and anticipated questions and answers for leadership capturing and summarizing stakeholder reactions and providing input used to refine future communication products and strategies.
  
  NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the Required Documents section below for additional resume requirements.
  
  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 10/21/2026.
  
  The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years a political Schedule A Schedule C Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
  
  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
  
  Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.
  
  Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibilityon OPMs Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. To be considered well qualified under CTAP you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.
  Education

  Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

  Additional information

  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.
  
  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.

  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.

  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.