Public Affairs Specialist, GS-1035-12

DutiesYou will serve as a Public Affairs Specialist, executing a wide range of communications function designed to align internal and external communications, identify and mitigate risk, and enhance public understanding of Coast Guard (CG) policies, missions, and objectives.Being a CG civilian makes you a valuable member of the CG team.• Planning and implementing national media campaigns to convey information to the public on a variety programs, policies, and activities.• Assisting public affairs throughout the United States in handling both crisis and non-crisis news events by providing them with coordination information, communications planning, advice, and training assistance, as well as informing them of the national implications of regional events.• Researching and evaluating the effectiveness of media programs, campaigns, projects, or studies conducted throughout CG and program offices, to include development of appropriate measurement data and analytics.• Developing and maintaining strategic communication and outreach campaigns to build broader awareness of Coast Guard programs, initiatives, and events using deliverables such as Communications Action Plans (CAP), stakeholder identification, categorization, and development of targeted engagement strategies.• Developing and editing a wide variety of written communication products in support of both internal and external communication campaigns, including speeches, briefing materials, internal and external correspondence for official use, publications, factsheets, scripts, frequently asked questions, and other official documentation.• Assisting with targeted communication during organizational and project transformation initiatives, including development of tools that may include engagement plans, fact sheets, web content, training plans, and graphic design/data visualization.RequirementsConditions of Employment• U.S. Citizenship is required.• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.• A one-year probationary period may be required.• This position requires a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI).All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. This includes Time-In-Grade requirements for current status employees applying through merit promotion procedures. Status applicants applying for a promotion must have 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade.QualificationsTo qualify for the GS-12: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.Specialized experience must include:• Drafting strategic communications plans, talking points, and fact sheets; AND• Integrating earned media, digital media, events, etc. into strategic communications campaigns; AND• Coordinating public awareness campaigns; AND• Providing recommendations or revisions to programmatic elements and agency officials; AND• Using data, metrics, and analytics to refine communications goals; AND• Liaising with members of the media, writers, and agency officials to share information and maintain effective working relationships.National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.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.EducationThis position does not have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail.FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click hereAdditional informationApplicants will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. Certain responses on the form could pose a problem with suitability for employment determinations. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete/make updates to the OF-306 and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, or imprisonment.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 at click hereAll Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.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.More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application and hiring process, please contact 202-372-0000. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable AccommodationBenefitsA 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 window Learn more about federal benefits.DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(K)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; Disabled Veterans Leave; sick leave and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; voluntary tuition assistance; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; voluntary credentialing; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and development as well as mentoring program opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select “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.