Public Affairs Specialist

Summary

These positions are located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New Jersey, Washington D.C. Philadelphia, and San Francisco Divisions. The primary purpose of this position is to direct internal and external communications for its respective DEA Field Division. Working closely with local division leadership, each incumbent will serve as the primary media spokesperson for DEA programs and activities within their assigned Division.

Duties

As a Public Affairs Specialist, your typical work assignments may include: Planning, developing and implementing media programs for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) leaders and the Division that have coverage in multiple states to garner greater understanding of support for the mission. Coordinating local press conferences, statements and press releases with the appropriate partner agencies in the event of a joint law enforcement investigation. Advising management at various Division levels on public information matters. Planning and directing special outreach events, ceremonies, tours and other activities intended to develop public and media interest within the Division. 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 12 must meet the following requirements: Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level (or equivalent), and your experience includes performing ALL the tasks below as part of your regular duties: 1) Drafting press releases, media statements, talking points, responses to reporter inquiries, or attributable quotes for publication or broadcast; 2) Advising management on public information matters, media inquiries, interview preparation, or engagement with news organizations; and 3) Developing and maintaining professional working relationships with reporters, editors, producers, assignment desks, or other news media representatives. In addition, my experience includes at least one of the following: 1) Serving as a media relations representative, spokesperson, or supporting spokesperson duties involving engagement with local, regional, or national news media; or 2) Demonstrated experience with one or more of the following: Responding to reporter inquiries, providing attributable statements or quotes for publication or broadcast; participating in recorded or on-camera interviews; or supporting press conferences, briefings, or other direct engagements with news organizations; or 3) Supporting media relations or public information programs designed to increase public awareness and understanding of an organization's mission, programs, operations, or accomplishments. 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. Applicants applying for the GS-13 must meet the following requirements: Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level (or equivalent), and your experience includes performing ALL the tasks below as part of your regular duties: 1) Writing press releases, media statements, responses to inquiries, talking points, or briefing materials on critical incidents, emerging issues, or organizational priorities; 2) Advising management before, during, or after interviews, press conferences, media availabilities, or other high-stakes public engagements; and 3) Developing professional relationships with reporters, editors, producers, assignment desks, or other news media representatives. In addition, my experience includes at least one of the following: 1) Serving as a media relations representative, spokesperson, or supporting spokesperson duties, to include engaging with local, regional, or national news media; or 2) Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following: providing recorded, on-camera television or digital interviews; participating in radio interviews, press conferences, or press briefings; or responding in real time to reporter questions concerning complex, sensitive, high-profile, or rapidly developing matters; or 3) Developing or executing media relations and strategic communication plans for sensitive, high-profile, or rapidly developing matters. 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. 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), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13074435. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement and meet or exceed the cut score requirements, 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. 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. Other Information

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. (https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information) 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 listed in this announcement. 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 or 2-year trial 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 or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. If eligible, telework and/or remote work agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. Please note that any approved remote work arrangement is subject to the locality pay area of the alternative telework worksite.