Public Affairs Specialist

Summary

About the Position: This position is part of the Reemployed Annuitants Cadre, in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). On an as-needed basis, employees occupying these positions provide emergency support to disaster-stricken areas throughout the United States.

This is a temporary appointment not to exceed 1-year. At management's discretion, the appointment may be extended for up to a maximum of 3-years or converted to a term appointment for up to a maximum of 6-years.

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Duties

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• Oversees the preparation of various documents to ensure a cohesive message is being sent to all represented groups.
• Works closely with planning and regulatory functions personnel to engender public participation,
• Analyzes immediate and time-phased information and formulates programs to meet them.
• Composes correspondence and background information in various programs and activities.
• Responsible for devising and carrying out a fully developed public information program.

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.
• Employees occupying these positions will provide emergency support to disaster-stricken areas throughout the US.
• Employees must be prepared to live and work in extremely austere conditions.
• Work schedule will initially be arduous, with extensive overtime.
• Sleeping arrangements may be limited to using a sleeping bag or in the vehicle used to move from location to location.
• Work may entail extended work shift of 12-16 hours a day.
• Generally, indoor work location has power, water, heating, and air conditioning, although outages should be expected.
• Lack of sleep may occur due to long work hours and uncomfortable living conditions.
• Lack of sleep may occur due to long work hours and uncomfortable living conditions
• Living conditions range from having all basic amenities; light, power, water, refrigeration, to not having one or more of these amenities.
• Employees who need to store refrigerated medication shall prior to departure inform the local POC so availability of refrigeration at the work site can be determined.
• Environmental conditions at work locations may range from excessive heat and humidity to extreme cold and rainy.
• Some locations require that the employee be able to maintain stable mobility in sandy and unstable terrain.
• Although some work is sedentary, work conditions such as ergonomic issues related to lifting and carrying, seating, or video display terminals; repetitive motion injury from using computers, and the like may be expected.

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.

• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible

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 public affairs and communication strategies to inform the public on complex agency projects; 2.) Formulating public relations programs to address organizational communication needs, news releases, and public inquiries; and 3.) Advising organizational leadership on community relations activities, public events, and strategic messaging. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12).

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

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-12).

Education

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.

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(n) 22 Career Program position aligned under the 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.

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 here:

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.