Public Affairs Specialist

OverviewAccepting applicationsOpen & closing dates07/30/2024 to 08/06/2024Salary$117,962 - $153,354 per yearPay scale & gradeGS 13Location1 vacancy in the following location:Washington, DC1 vacancyRemote jobNoTelework eligibleYes—as determined by the agency policy.Travel RequiredOccasional travel - Domestic and international travel may be required.Relocation expenses reimbursedNoAppointment typePermanentWork scheduleFull-timeServiceCompetitivePromotion potential13Job family (Series)1035 Public AffairsSupervisory statusNoSecurity clearanceSecretDrug testYesPosition sensitivity and riskNoncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate RiskTrust determination processCredentialingSuitability/FitnessFinancial disclosureNoBargaining unit statusNoAnnouncement numberECA-2024-0047Control number802189300SummaryThis position is located in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs' Office of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications (ECA/PASC). The incumbent will be responsible for developing and implementing public affairs strategies in connection with Bureau programs and events, with particular emphasis on print and electronic media, and ensuring the comprehensive, effective, accurate, and timely use of the internet and social media.HelpThis job is open toThe publicU.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.HelpDutiesImplements a proactive outreach program of ongoing contact with media outlets in the United States.Proactively researches and produces professional-quality materials, e.g. story ideas, proposals for coverage, and press releases.Develops, reviews and edits messaging and communications materials, including news releases, media advisories, speeches, talking points, brochures, press guidance, briefing memoranda, and other written communications.Develops strategies for public affairs treatment of specific events, prepares necessary promotional materials, and supervises the carrying out of projects.Develops a wide range of online/web-based content for ECA's digital platforms in partnership with the digital communications team.HelpRequirementsConditions of EmploymentU.S. Citizenship is required.Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/QualificationsApplicants must meet all the qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:Experience with developing and maintaining active, close working contacts with key editorial, production, assignment executives of electronic and print media with working news professionals.Experience developing, reviewing, and editing messaging and communications materials, including new releases, media advisories, speeches, talking points, brochures, press guidance, briefing memoranda, and other written communications to ensure the accuracy and professional quality of such written products.Experience developing strategies for public affairs support of events, supervising logistical concerns, prepare briefing materials and Principals, as well as follow up with liaison with media.There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.EducationEducation requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.Additional informationFor reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or OAA@state.gov.If eligible, telework [and/or remote work] agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.BenefitsHow You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume will be conducted and compared against your responses to the assessment questions to determine if you are qualified for this job. Note: Responses to questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating.Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as described in the “Qualifications” section of this announcement, will be assigned to one of three quality categories:Qualified - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate a basic level of the required competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities) for the position.Well Qualified - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in some but not all of the required competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) for the position.Highly Qualified - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must fully demonstrate proficiency in all of the required competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities) for the position.Highly Qualified applicants may be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies:Knowledge and skill in strategic planning processes.Skill in writing, editing, and analyzing digital content.Knowledge in developing social media communication programs, plan, and outreach programs.Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the Highly Qualified category. Other 10-point preference eligible and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligible applicants within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference on OPM’s Fed Hire Vets website.Agency and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never been a Federal employee, you are not CTAP or ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category for this position and submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement to receive consideration for selection priority.You may preview questions for this vacancy.HelpRequired DocumentsAll required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.1. Resume showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours per week worked/volunteered. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions.2. Veterans' Preference Documentation, if applicable:To claim 5-point preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.To claim 10-point preference, submit all required documentation outlined on the SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) to support your claim (e.g., DD-214, official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, etc.). If we cannot verify your 10-point preference claim, your application will be reviewed for 5-point preference.To claim 10-point derived preference (i.e., spouses, widows, widowers or mothers of veterans), submit a completed SF-15 and all required documentation listed on the SF-15 to support your claim.To claim 0-point Sole Survivorship preference, submit a copy of your DD-214 or another form of official documentation showing that your discharge or release from active duty occurred on or after August 29, 2008 and was based on a sole survivorship discharge.For all preference claims:DD-214 Member 4 copies are preferred and must show the dates of service, type of discharge, and any qualifying service campaign medals.If you are currently on active duty and applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must provide a certification on letterhead from your military branch which contains your military service dates, expected date of discharge or release, and the character of service to show that your military service was performed under honorable conditions. The expected date of discharge or release must be no later than 120 days after the certification is submitted for consideration for this vacancy announcement.For more veterans’ preference information, visit the USAJOBS Help Center.3. ICTAP/CTAP documentation, if applicable (e.g., reduction-in-force (RIF) separation notice, RIF separation SF-50 personnel action, certification of expected separation, etc.). Visit our agency’s ICTAP and CTAP eligibility information sites for more information and required application documentation.If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.HelpHow to ApplyPrepare your application in USAJOBSTo start your application, click Apply and we’ll walk you through the process to attach a resume and any required documents.During the application process you can review, edit, delete, and update your information. We’ll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won’t lose any changes. You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process.STEP 1: Select the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.STEP 2: Submit your resume. Please see the Required Documents section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume.STEP 3: Complete the online assessment questions.STEP 4: Submit all required documentation applicable to you, as listed in the Required Documents section.To learn how to view the status of your submitted supporting documentation and application, visit the Application Instructions section of our agency’s Civil Service selection process site.Technical assistance with your on-line application is available through the Help Desk at mgshelp@monster.com or by calling (866) 656-6830 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. ETAlternate Application ProceduresIf applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET at least 2 working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement. Paper applications and information sent by mail will not be accepted.