Job Description
Public Affairs Specialist
US General Services Administration
Washington, DC
Remote
$72,030 - $112,240 a year - Full-time, Part-time
Duties
Summary
As a Public Affairs Specialist, you will providing public affairs communication functions for the Office of Strategic Communication.
Location of position: GSA, Office of Strategic Communication (OSC), 1800 F Street NW, Washington, DC
The Office of Strategic Communication is responsible for using communication to help the agency meet its mission and business goals.
Responsibilities
GS-11 Duties:
Assists supervisor in establishing two-way communication channels with communication professionals in Federal, state and local governments, congressional committees and offices, civic organizations, Services/Staff Offices (SSO) related national and local affinity organizations, and with representatives of the media and special interest groups to promote the dissemination and exchange of information on SSO and agency activities; prepares, reviews, and coordinates release of SSO-related written and electronic information material to be presented for general and target audiences; and ensures technical accuracy through coordination of reviews by appropriate staff sections or technical experts. Assists in planning, coordinating, conducting and measuring SSO’s public affairs activities in alignment with SSO and agency mission to meet various audience information needs; and researches audience attitudes and beliefs, identifies communication needs, and assists in formulating SSO-level communication plans to leverage media to foster audience understanding of and appreciation for the mission of the SSO and the agency. Assists supervisor in representing the organization with a variety of organizations and working groups inside and/or outside of GSA, duties which may involve assisting with media and outreach activities for the SSO designed to build and maintain support for SSO and agency missions. Develops routine news releases, fact sheets, and other information to be disseminated to the news media. Works with senior OSC staff in assisting the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs (OCIA) for planning SSO related congressional outreach and responding to requests for information from Congress.
GS-12 Duties:
Works with senior OSC staff to develop two-way communication channels with communication professionals in Federal, state and local governments, congressional committees and offices, civic organizations, SSO related national and local affinity organizations, and with representatives of the media and special interest groups to promote the dissemination and exchange of information on SSO and agency activities; prepares, reviews, and coordinates release of SSO-related written and electronic information material to be presented for general and target audiences; and ensures technical accuracy through coordination of reviews by appropriate staff sections or technical experts. Assists in planning, coordinating, conducting and measuring SSO’s public affairs activities in alignment with SSO and agency mission to meet various audience information needs; and researches audience attitudes and beliefs, identifies communication needs, and formulates SSO-level communication plans to leverage media to foster audience understanding of and appreciation for the mission of the SSO and the agency. Establishes, creates, and maintains proactive contact with media outlets, Congressional and local government offices; serves as the media affairs representative for the SSO and official spokesperson, with the responsibility and authority to speak on behalf of the SSO and the agency on SSO matters; represents the organization with a variety of organizations and working groups inside and outside of GSA; responds to media queries, including issues of a sensitive nature or which may draw adverse public attention; proactively directs media and outreach activities for the SSO designed to build and maintain support for SSO and agency missions; and provides public affairs advice to SSO principals and agency senior staff on SSO activities. Develops and implements internal and external communications, proactively identifies and implements marketing strategies; develops news releases, fact sheets, and other information to be disseminated to the news media; and works with senior OSC staff in assisting the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs (OCIA) for planning SSO related congressional outreach and responding to requests for information from Congress.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required for meeting/training.
Supervisory status
No
Promotion Potential
12
Job family (Series)
1035 Public Affairs
Requirements
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959
Direct Deposit of salary check to financial organization required.
If selected, you must meet the following conditions:
Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch.
Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
Qualifications
For each job on your resume, provide:
the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year)
number of hours per week you worked (if part time).
If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.
For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here.
The GS-11 salary range starts at $72,030.00 per year. If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.
To qualify for the GS-11, you must have
A Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or have successfully completed 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related. OR
Possess one year of specialized experience that is equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is participating in the development of media programs and strategies to produce timely coverage of important issues and breaking news stories; assisting in developing written informational materials for dissemination to the general public; and assisting in responding to news media inquiries. OR
Possess a combination of graduate level education beyond the first 2 years of progressive graduate study and appropriate experience that together meet the qualification requirement of this position.
The GS-12 salary range starts at $86,335.00 per year. If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.
To qualify for the GS-12, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in the Federal service. Specialized experience is participating in the development of media programs and strategies to produce timely coverage of important issues and breaking news stories; assisting in developing written informational materials for dissemination to the general public; and assisting in responding to news media inquiries.
Education
Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Additional information
Bargaining Unit status: NFFE
If you are selected at a grade lower than the full performance level, you may be promoted up to that grade level without having to re-apply or compete against other applicants.
Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.
Travel expenses associated with interviews may be approved. Determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis.
On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved:
Recruitment incentive if you are new to the federal government
Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government*
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior non-Federal work experience or uniformed service experience.
We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area, as needed; through other means; or not at all.
This is not a full-time telework position. The selectee will be expected to report to the duty location stated in this announcement.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your overall possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities. Your responses to these questions must be supported by your resume or your score may be lowered.
Skill in writing to develop information programs conveying complex information to the public and/or external federal agencies.
1a. Skill in task management and organization to ensure all inquiries are handled.
1b. Skill in analyzing media questions and ensuring responses are appropriate and effective.
Skill in determining the appropriateness of elements of an internal and external information program and suggesting ways for improving future materials or adapting current materials to meet current needs.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with national organizations, field management and public affairs personnel.
Ability in developing and implementing systems that ensure media affairs team is operating efficiently.
4a. Ability to develop new information materials including news releases, fact sheets, etc., that increase communication with GSA's various publics.
Additional assessments may be used, and, if so, you will be provided with further instructions.
If you are eligible under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP/CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.
To preview questions please click here.
Background checks and security clearance
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test required
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness
Required Documents
Required Documents
ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.
Note: If required to submit an SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action), an equivalent agency Notice of Personnel Action form is acceptable. Such document(s) must show all of the following: effective date, position, title, series, grade, and rate of basic pay, tenure group 1 (career) or 2 (career-conditional), position occupied group, and name of agency. If you are a GSA employee (except in the OIG), you are not required to submit an SF-50.
If you are a 30% or more disabled veteran, VEOA or VRA applicant or qualified spouse, widow/widower, or parent:
(a) Copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 that shows the dates of your active duty service. If selected, a DD-214 showing your type of discharge (member 4 copy) will be required prior to appointment.
(b) If you are a disabled veteran, or are applying under VRA or VEOA as a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran, submit both of the following in addition to the DD-214: (1) completed SF-15 form; and (2) proof of your entitlement (refer to SF-15 for complete list).
If you are active duty military- Certification on a letterhead from your military branch that includes your rank, character of service (must be under honorable conditions) & military service dates including discharge/release date (must be no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted).
If you are a current Federal employee or Reinstatement Eligible: Submit your latest SF-50.
If you are eligible under an Interchange Agreement: Submit your latest SF-50.
If you are a former Peace Corp or VISTA volunteer: Submit your Description of Service.
If you are a current or former Land Management Agency Employee - Submit a and b:
(a) one or more SF-50s, including your most recent one that shows you were on a competitive time-limited appointment(s) with a Land Management Agency and served on the appointment for a period(s) totaling more than 24 months without a break of 2 or more years.
(b) Copy of your agency’s annual performance appraisal(s) or written reference(s) from a supervisor at the agency verifying satisfactory performance during your appointment(s).
If you have a disability: Submit proof of eligibility. For information on eligibility and required documentation, refer to USAJOBS’s People With Disabilities page.
If you are applying under another special appointment authority: Submit proof of your eligibility under the appropriate appointment authority. See USAJOBS's Resource Center for more information.
If you are ICTAP/CTAP eligible - submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.
If you are a current or former political appointee: Submit your SF-50.
College transcripts: If you are using some or all of your college education to meet qualification requirements for this position, you must submit a photocopy of your college transcript(s). If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. For education completed outside the United States, also submit a valid foreign credential evaluation that substantiates possession of the required education.
Benefits
Benefits
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. Learn more about federal benefits.
You will have access to many benefits including:
Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
Life insurance coverage with several options
Sick leave and vacation time, including 10 paid holidays per year
Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
Flexible work schedules
Transit and child care subsidies
Flexible spending accounts
Long-term care insurance
Training and development
Review our benefits
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.
Help
This job is open to
Individuals with disabilities
Federal employees - Competitive service
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
Land & base management
Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
Military spouses
Family of overseas employees
Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is, or was, working overseas.
Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
Special authorities
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
Veterans
Clarification from the agency
Your application will be considered if you are a nationwide: Current career/career-conditional Federal employee in the competitive service; Reinstatement eligible; Special Appointing Authority eligible; VEOA eligible Veteran; ICTAP eligible; or OPM Interchange Agreement eligible.