Public Affairs Specialist

Summary

This position is located in the Office of External Affairs, Office of the Superintendent, United States, Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Maritime Administration (MARAD.)

This position is established to assist in planning and developing the Academy's public affairs program, and communicating information about the Academy's programs, policies, events, and activities to local, national and maritime industry media and publics.

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Duties

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The Public Affairs Specialist :

• Assists in developing the Academy's information projects and productions for dissemination to diversified audiences.
• Researches, writes, and edits material to produce catalogues, bulletins, newsletters, and various brochures and pamphlets, etc.
• Researches, writes, and edits news releases, social media, feature articles, video stories, web stories, and other material to communicate information about the Academy programs and events.
• Contributes to Academy social media sites.
• Analyzes and evaluates information needs of target audiences in relation to understanding of subject matter and USMMA program objectives.
• In collaboration with the Academy staff, plans and executes External Affairs events, including tours, media availabilities, and conferences, are required.

The ideal candidate for this position is a highly motivated professional possessing integrity, stamina, and ingenuity, and capable of adjusting to various work environments, physical demands, and schedules. The individual must be customer service oriented, with unique skills to coordinate with internal and external stakeholders and provide program direction and guidance to all concerning organizational and public information, events and community relations, preferably on a college/university campus or military installation.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
• You must meet specialized experience to qualify.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In 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 the 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.

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
• TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the GS-09 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-07 it must include:

• Experience assisting with the development and dissemination of informational materials concerning an organization's programs, activities, events, and/or accomplishments for internal or external audiences.
• Experience using basic video and/or image editing techniques to prepare content for digital or online communication.
• Experience researching, writing, and/or editing content for news releases, websites, social media, newsletters, or other communication platforms.
• Experience gathering and analyzing basic data, audience feedback, social media activity, or other metrics to assist in evaluating the effectiveness of public affairs or communication efforts.

To qualify for the GS-09 on Education alone, you must have 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or have been awarded a master's or equivalent graduate degree. You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include:

• Experience developing for dissemination through the print and broadcast media information concerning the mission, programs and accomplishments of an organization, region, department and/or agency, including the collection, assembling, preparing and dissemination of information concerning the various programs of such organization.
• Experience applying video editing techniques to develop and prepare visual content for dissemination through digital, social media, and/or other public affairs platforms
• Experience writing for news, internet and social media.
• Experience developing and executing a communications strategy through print and broadcast media coverage concerning the mission and organizational programs, including overseeing the full lifecycle of information collection, content preparation, and public.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Communication and Media: Knowledge of the production, communication and dissemination of information and ideas to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
• Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
• Customer service: Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.

For all types of consideration, 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

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link:

Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date.

Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

TRANSCRIPTS are REQUIRED if you are substituting education for experience. The transcripts need not be official, but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements.

Additional information

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, View email address on click.appcast.io. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

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.