Public Affairs Specialist

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 Management’s General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements (See Required Documents Section for resume requirements). If using education to qualify at the GS-11 level, college transcripts must be provided. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-11 Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent private sector experience. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Responded in oral and written form, to media 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; Assisted in evaluation and analysis of public comments on management issues; Identified areas to be addressed, characteristics and needs of the target audience, and communication techniques most appropriate; Developed recommended approaches and drafted media-related material for supervisor’s approval; Developed and presented informational audio-visual material using new technologies and social media. -OR- Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree including LL.M in field related to communications. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. -OR- An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master’s degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). Education may only be substituted in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. Additional information on the qualification requirements for this position is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM’s website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1000/public-affairs-series-1035/ For the GS-12 Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent private sector experience. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Participated in the development and implementation of public affairs communication plans, program strategies, and techniques for addressing critical and complex public issues; Devised the appropriate media-related communication product and method for each public affairs campaign; Established two-way communication with the news media, employees, and other stakeholders. 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. TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
This position is with the Alaska Region – Public Affairs Office and is in Juneau, Alaska. The incumbent will be responsible for establishing and maintaining media relations for the Region. Additionally, the employee will perform a wide variety of media-related activities in support of a comprehensive public affairs program. Point of contact: Jacqueline Chandler at 907-586-8803 or jacqueline.chandler@usda.gov. .See Additional Information section for more.