Public Affairs Specialist

Summary

Positions may be filled at one or more of the duty locations included in this announcement. Final determination of the duty location will be made at the time of the job offer. Provides leadership for planning, designing, and executing a comprehensive public affairs program for communicating the organization's programs, policies, and activities to the surrounding publics. For more information, see the Additional Information section for location specific points of contact.

Duties

• Duties listed are at the full performance level.
• Directs public affairs support for natural resource program areas to include community relations; media; liaison between local organizations, government officials, special interests groups, the public; legislative liaison, tribal governments, etc.
• Serves as the principal staff advisor and spokesperson to supervisor and senior staff on all matters involving public issues and the creation of communication policy.
• Responds to media queries, to include issues of a sensitive nature or that may be subject to misunderstanding if not properly explained, or that may draw adverse public attention.
• Develops communication plans during emergency events such as road closures, evacuations, fatalities, etc.
• Maintains effective working relationships with representatives of government members of Congress, civic organizations, government organizations, and with representatives of the media and special interest groups.
• Coordinates with appropriate personnel prior to contacting and releasing information to representatives of news media on conditions that might result in favorable or unfavorable public reaction.
• Prepares and/or coordinates speeches, presentations, and written and electronic information materials for general and targeted audiences.
• Maintains knowledge of the most current effective communication methods and techniques to carry out duties of the position and provide training for others as needed.
• Supervises 20% or less of the time.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National. Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify. 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. Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-12: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships at multiple levels within an organization to develop and disseminate coordinated messages that accurately address organizational programs; and/or Preparing written materials to promote an organization's position on a variety of sensitive, controversial and/or complex issues; and/or Designing and tailoring meetings and public involvement strategies to audiences that involve a degree of controversy. For the GS-13: You must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Evaluating the effectiveness of a public affairs and/or communications program and developing new methods and techniques in communicating with an organization's various publics and groups; and/or Researching complex programs and developing communication materials using various tools and techniques; and/or Researching and analyzing controversial programs and assessing public reaction. 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. You will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. Individuals with veterans' preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans' preference within each category. Accomplishment Record Review: If you are found minimally qualified, a rating panel will review your resume and Accomplishment Record narratives. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13050414 Other Information

The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate as provided in the How You Will Be Evaluated section of this announcement to be considered. Locations, full performance levels, and points of contact: South Lake Tahoe, CA, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, GS-1035-12/13 Rosalie Hererra at [email protected] Brent, Heflin, Double Springs, Andalusia, Montgomery, Talladega, and Tuskegee, AL, National Forests in Alabama, GS-1035/12/13 Linwood Butler at [email protected] Arcadia, CA, Angeles National Forest, GS-1035-12/13 Nicholas Butler at [email protected] Porterville, CA, Sequoia National Forest, GS-1035-12/13 Anthony Edwards at [email protected] Roanoke, VA, Washington & Jefferson National Forests, GS-1035-12/13 Lauren Stull at [email protected] Salary wage as shown is for Rest of the U.S. Final salary will be determined at the time of selection dependent on the duty location for more information, refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Salary and Wages web page. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is not guaranteed. These positions are not eligible for telework. The Forest Service may use certain incentives and hiring flexibilities, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract highly qualified candidates. Additional Information is available on the OPM Website. These are non-bargaining unit positions. Forest Service daycare facilities may be available. Government Housing may be available. We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.