Job Description
Public Affairs Specialist
US Other Agencies and Independent Organizations
Washington, DC
Job details
Salary
$86,335 - $133,465 a year
You will serve as a Public Affairs Specialist for the Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA), ODA Headquarters - HQ in Washington, District of Columbia. This position advises senior officials and across ODA the public and private sector stakeholders on all ODA public information and intergovernmental issues related to the Disaster Assistance Loan program.
Responsibilities
As a Public Affairs Specialist at the GS-1035-12/13, some of your typical work assignments may include:
Acts as a spokesperson and assists in making public appearances by preparing talking points for speeches.
Writes news releases, feature and photo caption material concerning the SBA disaster loan program that is consistent with Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL) guidelines.
As directed by Public Affairs Center Management, plans, organizes, and prepares material (e.g. press releases, photographs, flyers, and formal/informal presentations); coordinates and evaluates written and oral communications of ODA directed to specific targeted audiences within the public, the media or government according to established guidelines. Writes and edits correspondence for ODA headquarters staff addressed to the media, government, businesses, and community organizations.
Uses advanced computer skills, including skill in using Microsoft Office functions such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access databases and desktop publishing to serve as a disaster program information link providing explanations and written materials, as necessary.
Communicates with program managers in ODA to determine media, governmental and public information needs of the disaster program.
Provides accurate and timely information to appropriate government officials through the course of a disaster declaration and otherwise as needed. Prepares written materials (as necessary) to send to Congressional offices immediately after a disaster has been declared in their district, and periodically afterwards.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
This is a Cadre position, which is a competitive service status position with a full-time seasonal work schedule.
By applying for this position with SBA's Office of Disaster Assistance, you can enjoy challenging but satisfying work and join a highly motivated and diverse team that helps families and businesses rebuild their lives after a disaster.
The Small Business Administration is located near Capitol Hill and numerous national landmarks and museums. It is conveniently located at the Federal Center SW Metro train station and near many restaurants and eateries.
Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur within 180 days from the closing date.
This position is also being announced under Delegated Examining Procedures, announcement # DE-21-008-HQ-10953872, open to general public.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - On occasion, especially during times of substantial disaster activity, you may be required to work overtime and/or travel with little or no advance notice.
Supervisory status
No
Promotion Potential
13
Job family (Series)
1035 Public Affairs
Requirements
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
U.S. citizenship is required.
You must be able to obtain and maintain a Government travel credit card.
Favorable background investigation and credit check are required.
Credit Score must be at least 500.
You may be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
You must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date.
Qualifications
Generally, time in Non-Pay status is not creditable towards the specialized experience requirement listed below.
Federal status applicants must meet both Time-In-Grade AND experience requirements by the closing date of this announcement. However, if you have separated from the Federal Government for at least 52 weeks, you are not subject to the Time-in-Grade requirement.
Time-In-Grade Requirement:
GS-12: Must have held grade GS-11 for 52 weeks
GS-13: Must have held grade GS-12 for 52 weeks
Experience:
To receive credit, you must indicate the month and year as well as the average hours worked per week for each employer. Average work hours must be stated on the resume to quantify each period of work experience or that experience will not be credited toward meeting the specialized experience requirement.
You must address the specific specialized experience required for each grade level of this position on your resume or application or you will be rated "Ineligible" for that grade level.
GS-12: To qualify you must have at least 1 full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the GS-11 level in the Federal service that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skill, and ability to perform successfully in this position. This experience may have been gained in a Non-Federal service position. In addition, this Specialized Experience must demonstrate the following:
Composed and performed editing/rewriting of internal and external communications, including messaging outreach and public reports; and
Attending and communicating disaster assistance program information at national, regional or local events to include conferences, forums or other targeted audiences; and
Utilizing at least three of the following Microsoft Office functions: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Desktop Publishing.
GS-13: To qualify you must have at least 1 full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the GS-12 level in the Federal service that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skill, and ability to perform successfully in this position. This experience may have been gained in a Non-Federal service position. In addition, this Specialized Experience must demonstrate the following:
Composed and performed editing/rewriting of internal and external communications, including messaging outreach and public reports; and
Attending and communicating disaster assistance program information at national, regional or local events to include conferences, forums or other targeted audiences; and
Utilizing the following Microsoft Office functions: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Desktop Publishing; and
Acting as a spokesperson for a national disaster assistance program by making public appearances, preparing presentations, and/or preparing talking points and/or speeches etc.; and
Providing content of a national disaster assistance program for social media platforms.
Education
GS-12: There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
GS-13: There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
Qualification Standards: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Group-Standards
Additional information
If selected for this position, you will be eligible for benefits. The above link is provided for your reference to explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The Small Business Administration is committed to building a high-performing, 21st century workforce that possesses the following core attributes: cultural astuteness, technological proficiency, articulate, strong writing capabilities, superior conflict resolution skills, and exceptional presentation skills. Candidates should be prepared as they may be further evaluated on these attributes throughout the application and selection process.
Your application and resume will be compared to the answer you give to the minimum qualification question (s) on the assessment questionnaire. Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet all the Specialized Experience required at each grade level. If you do not, you will be rated "Ineligible". If you are minimally qualified you will receive a numeric rating which is based on your responses to the questionnaire, including any narrative responses. The numeric score is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills and abilities required of this position. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience your score can and may be adjusted downward to reflect the submitted application material.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
Communications and Media, Computer Skills, Customer Service, Organizational Awareness, and Written Communication
Background checks and security clearance
Security clearance
Other
Drug test required
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness
Required Documents
Required Documents
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume showing hours worked per week, dates of employment, and duties performed.
2. Completed Questionnaire
Preview at: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10953869
3. Other supporting documents, such as:
Veterans' documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
DO NOT SEND YOUR RESUME OR ANY APPLICATION DOCUMENTS TO THE AGENCY CONTACT.
Your latest resume submitted for this position will be used to determine qualification determinations and supersedes previous submissions.
Your latest resume submitted for this position will be used for qualification determinations and supersedes previous submissions.ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:
1. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, provide a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal (which must show at least a "fully successful" rating or equivalent), and proof of eligibility, i.e., a RIF separation notice or Certification of Expected Separation, and SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. In addition to meeting all qualification requirements and selective placement factors (if applicable), CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the Well-Qualified criteria with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above for the position in order to be given priority consideration. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is also on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at: CTAP/ICTAP http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.
2. If you are a veteran applying under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) Appointing Authority or for any other Appointment based on your military service, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 copy showing type of discharge/character of service or other proof of creditable service.
3. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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.
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
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
Federal employees - Competitive service
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Individuals with disabilities
Veterans
Military spouses
Special authorities
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
Clarification from the agency
Status Candidates and VEOA or other Special Hiring Authority eligibles