Public Affairs Specialist

Summary

Positions may be filled at one or more of the duty locations included in this announcement. Final determination of the duty location will be made at the time of the job offer.

This position serves as a Public Affairs Specialist located on a Forest Service Unit. The incumbents perform a wide variety of activities in planning and implementing a comprehensive public affairs program.

For additional information about the duties and POC for these position please see additional information section.

Duties

• Duties are listed at the GS-12 grade level.
• Participates in the development and implementation of public affairs communication plans program strategies and techniques for dealing with addressing critical and complex public issues.
• Uses a variety of communications methods and techniques (i.e. written oral visual and personal) in devising the appropriate communication method for each public affairs campaign.
• Coordinates implements and evaluates a communication program with responsibility of informing employees about agency philosophies and culture practices programs positions and initiatives.
• Analyzes public reaction and recommends changes to improve understanding.
• Organizes coordinates and implements effective employee and public meetings workshops field trips or other forums designed to foster employee and public participation.
• Supervises 20% or less of the time.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born aftermust be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities visit E-Verify.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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 Managements General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

Specialized Experience Requirement:

GS-11: You must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in federal service. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Responding to 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; and/or identifying areas to be addressed characteristics and needs of the target audience and communication techniques most appropriate to address an audience; and/or assisting in evaluation and analysis of public comments on management issues; OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree that is directly related to position being filled from an accredited college or university; OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a masters degree i.e. more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.) as described above.

GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships at multiple levels within an organization to develop and disseminate coordinated messages that accurately address organizational programs; and/or preparing written materials to promote the organizations position on a variety of sensitive controversial and/or complex issues; and/or designing and tailoring meetings and public involvement strategies to audiences that involve a degree of controversy.

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.

Education

See above for education that may be qualifying for the GS-11 grade level.

Additional information

The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional) Temporary and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority any U.S. citizen may apply.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Reemployment Priority List (RPL) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agencys definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered.

Locations full performance levels and points of contact:

• Columbia SC; Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests GS
  • Gregory Cunningham @
• Lakeview OR; Fremont-Winema National Forest GS/12
  • Lena Rux @
• Everett WA; Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest GS/12
  • Michael Schlafmann @
• Prineville OR; Ochoco National Forest GS/12
  • Jeffrey Marszal @
• Placerville CA; Eldorado National Forest GS/12
  • David Fournier @
• Alturas CA; Modoc National Forest GS/12
  • Christopher Bielecki @
• Bedford OR Tell City IN; Hoosier National Forest GS/12
  • Stacy Duke @
• Cedar City UT; Dixie National Forest GS/12
  • Kevin Wright @
• Springerville AZ; Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest GS/12
  • Stephen James @

If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential you will be placed under a career development plan and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However promotion is not guaranteed.

Salary wage as shown is for Rest of the U.S. Final salary will be determined at the time of selection dependent on the duty location for more information refer to the Office of Personnel Management Salary and Wages web page.

The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities currently offered by the Federal government to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Forest Service daycare facilities may be available.

Government Housing may be available.

We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies

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.

Required Experience:

IC