Duties

The primary purpose of this position is to support the public affairs programs at Blue Ridge Parkway. Activities include writing and issuing news releases, answering questions from the media, producing multi-media and digital communications, drafting talking points for senior park leadership, and responding to and tracking controlled correspondence and FOIA.

In particular, the incumbent will assist in the development of park-wide communications policies and procedures and lead media, public, and employee information efforts related to major investment and road projects funded by passage of the Great American Outdoors Act. This position will also provide communications counsel to field staff, program managers and park partners.

The incumbent reports to the External Affairs Specialist and serves as public affairs specialist, responsible for park and program, public affairs, and media relations.

Area Information: The Blue Ridge Parkway extends 469 miles along the southern crest of the Appalachian Mountains through North Carolina and Virginia connecting the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park. For information on Asheville and the surrounding areas visit: https://www.ashevillechamber.org/

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

U.S. Citizenship required.
Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 3 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.
You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.
Applicants must be at least (1)18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-02/26/2023-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST clearly indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience.

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: