PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Summary This position is located in the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), West Region Colorado. The primary purpose of this position is to provide leadership in carrying out an effective communications and marketing strategy that includes all programs, policies, activities, and functions of the Agency within the state. The incumbent is responsible for planning, designing, communicating, executing, and evaluating a comprehensive state strategic communications plan. Responsibilities Researches, plans, develops, and implements policies, procedures, standards, guidance, and controls for internal and external communications. Determines the information needed to simply explain complex NRCS programs and natural resource concepts and issues for targeted audiences. Advises state leadership and employees on the principles of effective communications and on appropriate media relations, tactics, and strategies. Educates, coordinates, and communicates through varied products, training, and consultation, to media and targeted audiences, to achieve understanding, acceptance and support of NRCS programs and conservation. Establishes and maintains working relationships with representatives of government, partner organizations and agencies, with representatives of the media, special interest groups, and the general public. Serves as Agency principal contact for inquiries from state and local news media and the general public for information regarding programs and activities. Provides leadership, guidance and training to state program and field office staff in identifying barriers to delivery and use of NRCS programs by developing and carrying out outreach plans and initiatives. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Specialized Experience Requirement For the GS-12 grade level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: Researches, plans, develops, and implements policies, procedures, standards, guidance, and controls for internal and external communications; Determines the information needed to simply explain complex NRCS programs and natural resource concepts and issues for targeted audiences; Advises state leadership and employees on the principles of effective communications and on appropriate media relations, tactics, and strategies; Educates, coordinates, and communicates through varied products, training, and consultation, to media and targeted audiences, to achieve understanding, acceptance and support of NRCS programs and conservation; Establishes and maintains working relationships with representatives of government, partner organizations and agencies, with representatives of the media, special interest groups, and the general public; Serves as Agency principal contact for inquiries from state and local news media and the general public for information regarding programs and activities; Provides leadership, guidance and training to state program and field office staff in identifying barriers to delivery and use of NRCS programs by developing and carrying out outreach plans and initiatives. 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 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. You must meet this requirement by the closing date of this announcement. Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period. 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. ( Physical Demands: The work requires some trips to outdoor areas in natural settings and includes activities such as coordinating Agency presence at meetings and conferences, including arranging for, setting up, and staffing exhibits. Work Environment: Some exposure to inclement weather or movement over uneven terrain occurs, but most work is performed in an office setting. Telework: This position is eligible for telework as determined by the agency policy. Incentives: Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized. Bargaining Unit: This is a non-bargaining unit position.