Public Affairs Specialist

Summary

About the Position: This position is located at the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Center Headquarters (ATEC HQ), with a duty location of Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. (merit)

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Duties

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• Develops and implements comprehensive strategic communication plans and media products to promote organizational goals to diverse audiences.
• Advises senior leaders and briefs stakeholders on complex, sensitive, and potentially controversial legislative, public affairs, and strategic engagement matters.
• Manages congressional inquiries and analyzes proposed legislation to advise senior leaders on potential mission impacts and sensitivities.
• Provides authoritative advisory services on the broader implications of communication strategies and develops proactive outreach to key stakeholders.
• Plans and executes multi-faceted outreach events, special visits, and official functions involving senior officials, international partners, and media representatives.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 11. While probationary the incumbent can be terminated with limited appeal rights.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of up to 15% of the time.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities

• Current Employees of the U.S. Army Test & Evaluation Command with personal competitive status.

• Current Civilian Employees of the Command
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
• Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Developing strategic communication materials for internal and external audiences; and 2) Advising organizational leaders on the potential effects of legislative, organizational, or political issues on the organization's mission and public perception; and 3) Developing official organizational responses to media inquiries in coordination with subject-matter experts. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (NH-03/GS-13).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience aloneno substitution of education for experience is permitted.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:

• Oral Communication
• Political Savvy
• Project Management
• Strategic Thinking
• Writing

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• This is a Public Affairs and Communications Media Career Program position aligned under the Public Affair, Inspector General, Legal, Learning, Archives, and Relations/Communications (PILLAR) Career Management Directorate.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
• The NH-04 band is equal to the GS-14 step 01 through GS-15 step 10. This position is subject to the NH-04 Professional/ Evaluator/ Tester/ Analyst equivalent control point of the ATEC Control Point Policy at $188,167 per year (Includes locality pay).
• U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) provides direct support to Transformation and Training Command and relevant, timely information to senior Army leaders to make future force decisions enabling Multi-Domain Operations through rigorous developmental testing and independent operational tests and evaluations.

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.

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A 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 windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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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.