Public Affairs Specialist

Summary

This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, Media Relations Section. This position primary purpose is to serve as an agency spokesperson to effectively communicate the mission and activities of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Duties

As a Public Affairs Specialist, your typical work assignments may include: Developing of new methods, strategies, and communication plans covering the complete spectrum of the Organization's program. Establishing reputation of credibility, trust and reliability with media contacts to encourage receptivity to DEA messaging. Developing policies and making recommendations regarding the dissemination of information to correct misperceptions and enhance public understanding. Conducting interviews, arranging and moderating media interviews with designated DEA principals and provides media coaching and interviews preparation as necessary. Qualifications

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility Applicants must meet all of the required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement. Applicants applying for the GS 14: Must have at least one full year of qualifying specialized experience that is at least equivalent in difficulty and complexity to work performed at the GS-13 grade level. Specialized 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. Your resume must demonstrate experience performing ALL the tasks below as part of your regular duties: 1) Serving as a communications advisor on public affairs issues involving high public visibility, national interest, public safety, or substantial reputational risk; 2) Demonstrated experience with one or more of the following: providing television, radio, digital, or print interviews; participating in press conferences and media availabilities; or preparing or delivering attributable statements; and 3) Advising and preparing senior executives for media interviews, congressional appearances, public engagements, or other high-profile events through the development of anticipated questions or strategic communications guidance. In addition to the above, your resume must demonstrate experience in at least ONE of the following: 1) Serving as media relations representative or spokesperson and engaging with national, regional, or international media; or 2) Developing enterprise-wide communications and media relations strategies supporting major initiatives, critical incidents, or other high-profile matters; or 3) Coordinating communications activities with multiple organizations to ensure unified messaging. Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement. How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and assessment questionnaire. Subject-matter-experts (SMEs) will perform a structured review of your resume to evaluate your knowledge, skills, abilities, and competences as they directly relate to the duties of this position. SMEs will not review additional information beyond your resume. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement, will be assigned to one of three quality categories: Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate a basic level of the required competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities) for the position. Highly Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all, of the requirements of the position. Best Qualified Category: In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must possess the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position. Best qualified applicants may be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Reasoning The assessment questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions which provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question in 200-words or less. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and have not used a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE: You may preview the https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13079191. Other Information

For reasonable accommodation at the Drug Enforcement Administration, please contact the Human Resources office listed in this announcement. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to similar positions in any Division/Office listed in this announcement. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions. Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentives may be considered and approved under conditions specified provided the agency has determined that the position is likely to be difficult to fill in the absence of an incentive and funding for such an incentive is available. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will 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 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. If eligible, telework may be permitted with supervisory approval.