Public Affairs Specialist - Department Of Agriculture : Job Details

Public Affairs Specialist

Department Of Agriculture

Job Location : Hood River,OR, USA

Posted on : 2024-12-23T09:03:58Z

Job Description :

Summary

This position is located on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Hood River, Oregon.

The incumbent performs a wide variety of activities in planning and implementing a comprehensive public affairs program for the Forest.

For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Nicolas Granum at 541-###-#### or at [email protected]

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Overview

* Accepting applications

* Open & closing dates

12/18/2024 to 12/24/2024

* Salary

$59,966 - $113,047 per year

Salary wage as shown is for Rest of the U.S. For more information, refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Salary and Wages web page.

* Pay scale & grade

GS 9 - 12

* Help

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

* Hood River, OR

* Remote job

* Telework eligible

Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

* Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position. Travel may be required for training and/or meetings.

* Relocation expenses reimbursed

* Appointment type

Permanent

* Work schedule

Full-time

* Service

Competitive

* Promotion potential

* Job family (Series)

* 1035 Public Affairs

* Supervisory status

* Security clearance

Not Required

* Drug test

* Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

* Trust determination process

* Credentialing

* Suitability/Fitness

* Financial disclosure

* Bargaining unit status

Yes

* Announcement number

24-R6-SVA-12646110-F-VT

* Control number

824651800

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This job is open to

* Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

* Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees who meet the definition of a surplus or displaced employee.

* Land and base management

Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted only from current permanent Forest Service (FS) employees with competitive status whose permanent position of record is in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area ; Land Management eligibles whose last appointment was with the FS; and CTAP/RPL eligible candidates.

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Duties

* Duties are at the full performance 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.

* Coordinates, implements, and evaluates a Forest's communication program, with responsibility of informing employees about Forest, National, and Regional philosophies and culture, practices, programs, positions, and initiatives.

* Represents the Forest in meetings and discussions involving individuals, groups, and organizations working in support of, or opposing, the policies, programs, and work of the Forest.

* Analyzes public reaction and recommends changes to improve understanding. Recommends methods of minimizing misconceptions and improving understanding of Regional direction.

* Organizes, coordinates and implements effective employee and public meetings, workshops, field trips, or other forums designed to foster employee and public participation.

* 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

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

* Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.

* Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.

* Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.

* Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.

* 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.gov

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-9: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service. Qualifying specialized experience includes meeting one or more of the following: Prepare and present speeches for special interests groups, schools, and the general public; Answer routine requests for information about the agency and its programs; Present programs to groups on agency programs and activities; Organize and coordinate print and broadcast news and information media interviews with key agency officials; Review print, broadcast, and internet media to analyze public awareness and attitudes regarding agency and activities; and/or advise management on the probable public reaction to specific proposals, policies and actions.

OR a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree

OR LL.B. or J.D., if related

OR An appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

For the GS-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal Service. Qualifying specialized experience includes meeting one or more of the following: Responded in oral and written form, 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; Assisted in evaluation and analysis of public comments on management issues; identified areas to be addressed, characteristics and needs of the target audience, and communication techniques most appropriate; Developed recommended approaches and drafted material for supervisor's approval; Developed and presented informational audio-visual material using new technologies and social media.

OR a Ph.D. or equivalent Doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related

OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience 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.). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

For the GS-12: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Service. Qualifying specialized experience includes meeting one or more of the following: Established and maintained effective working relationships at multiple levels within an organization to develop and disseminate coordinated messages that accurately address organizational programs; Prepared written materials to promote the organization's position on a variety of sensitive, controversial and/or complex issues; Designed and tailored meetings and public involvement strategies to audiences that involved a degree of controversy.

Work Experience: Your resume must clearly document the following for each block of work experience: the beginning day, month and year the work assignment started and ended; the hours worked per week; position title, series and grade if applicable; and description of duties performed. This information must be provided for each permanent, temporary, or seasonal appointment/work assignment, or volunteer work and should be clearly documented as a separate block of time. Incomplete, inaccurate, or conflicting work history may not be credited for qualifications purposes. This may result in an applicant's loss of consideration for the position.

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.

TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

See above for education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary and term employees the opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years and the last temporary or term appointment must have been with the Forest Service. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Part-time and intermittent service will be credited only for time actually worked. Non-pay status such as leave without pay is credited for up to six months in a calendar year; anything beyond six months is not credited. Applicants are responsible for providing sufficient information/documentation to determine if the 24 month criteria is met.

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.

This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Forest Service daycare facilities are not available.

Government Housing is not available.

We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.

* Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the competencies listed below:

* Communications and Media

* External Awareness

* Planning and Evaluating

* Problem Solving

* Writing

Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position.

If you meet the qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified, you will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities must meet minimum qualifications to be referred.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. 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.

To view the application form, visit:

* Benefits

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* Required Documents

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

* Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications.

* If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.

In addition to the above, you must submit the documents below if you claim any of the following:

* Current Forest Service employees: 1) Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing that you are in the competitive service (block #34) and are a permanent or conditional employee (block #24), position title, series, grade, and position's organization (block #22) that indicates you are eligible to apply based on the Clarification from the agency section. If your most recent SF-50 does not reflect the highest grade (or promotion potential) held on a permanent basis, also attach the SF-50 that indicates this information. AND 2) Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Do not submit a performance plan.

* Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP or RPL priority: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.

* Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Eligible Applicants: please review the required documents for this hiring authority on the Forest Service website.

* How to Apply

Please view Tips for Applicants - a guide to the Forest Service application process.

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

* Resume that includes:1) personal information such as name, address, contact information;2) education;3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable);4) other qualifications.

* Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement to be entered into the system prior to its closing.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.

To begin, click Apply Online and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.

NOTE: Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBS transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable.

Agency contact information

HRM Contact Center

Phone 1-877-###-#### X2 Email [email protected]

Address USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center

DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

Albuquerque, NM 87109

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Next steps

Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status.

You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status).

Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint, or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to [email protected], subject line: Fair Chance Act.

* Fair and Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

* Criminal history inquiries

* Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

* Financial suitability

* New employee probationary period

* Privacy Act

* Reasonable accommodation policy

* Selective Service

* Signature and false statements

* Social security number request

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Required Documents

In addition to the above, you must submit the documents below if you claim any of the following:

* Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Eligible Applicants: please review the required documents for this hiring authority on the Forest Service website.

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How to Apply

Please view Tips for Applicants - a guide to the Forest Service application process.

* Resume that includes:1) personal information such as name, address, contact information;2) education;3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable);4) other qualifications.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.

To begin, click Apply Online and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.

Agency contact information

HRM Contact Center

Phone 1-877-###-#### X2 Email [email protected]

Address USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center

DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

Albuquerque, NM 87109

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

* Criminal history inquiries

* Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

* Financial suitability

* New employee probationary period

* Privacy Act

* Reasonable accommodation policy

* Selective Service

* Signature and false statements

* Social security number request

* Email

* Facebook

* LinkedIn

* Twitter

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Overview

* Accepting applications

* Open & closing dates

12/18/2024 to 12/24/2024

* Salary

$59,966 - $113,047 per year

Salary wage as shown is for Rest of the U.S. For more information, refer to the Office of Personnel Management, Salary and Wages web page.

* Pay scale & grade

GS 9 - 12

* Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

* Hood River, OR

* Remote job

* Telework eligible

Apply Now!

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