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. This position serves as a Public Affairs Specialist located on a Forest Service Unit. The incumbents perform a wide variety of activities in planning and implementing a comprehensive public affairs program. For additional information about the duties and POC for these position, please see additional information section.

Duties

• Duties are listed at the GS-12 grade level.
• Participates in the development and implementation of public affairs communication plans, program strategies and techniques for dealing with addressing critical and complex public issues.
• Uses a variety of communications methods and techniques (i.e., written, oral, visual and personal) in devising the appropriate communication method for each public affairs campaign.
• Coordinates, implements, and evaluates a communication program, with responsibility of informing employees about agency philosophies and culture, practices, programs, positions, and initiatives.
• Analyzes public reaction and recommends changes to improve understanding.
• Organizes, coordinates and implements effective employee and public meetings, workshops, field trips, or other forums designed to foster employee and public participation.
• 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: GS-11: You must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in federal service. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Responding to requests for information by determining the nature of the data required and collecting and assembling the material using the appropriate format and style based on needs and organization practices; and/or identifying areas to be addressed, characteristics and needs of the target audience, and communication techniques most appropriate to address an audience; and/or assisting in evaluation and analysis of public comments on management issues; OR, 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree that is directly related to position being filled from an accredited college or university; OR, an appropriate combination of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.) as described above. GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. 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 the 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. 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.

Education

See above for education that may be qualifying for the GS-11 grade level. 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/13052717 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: Columbia, SC; Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests, GS-1035-11 Gregory Cunningham @ [email protected] Lakeview, OR; Fremont-Winema National Forest, GS-1035-11/12 Lena Rux @ [email protected] Everett, WA; Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, GS-1035-11/12 Michael Schlafmann @ [email protected] Prineville, OR; Ochoco National Forest, GS-1035-11/12 Jeffrey Marszal @ [email protected] Placerville, CA; Eldorado National Forest, GS-1035-11/12 David Fournier @ [email protected] Alturas, CA; Modoc National Forest, GS-1035-11/12 Christopher Bielecki @ [email protected] Bedford OR Tell City, IN; Hoosier National Forest, GS-1035-11/12 Stacy Duke @ [email protected] Cedar City, UT; Dixie National Forest, GS-1035-11/12 Kevin Wright @ [email protected] Springerville, AZ; Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, GS-1035-11/12 Stephen James @ [email protected] 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. 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. 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. This is a non-bargaining unit position. 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