- Position Title
- Public Affairs Specialist
- Agency
- Food and Drug Administration
- Announcement Number
- FDA-OC-18-10318707-DE Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, October 11, 2018 to Wednesday, October 24, 2018
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Do you wish to be considered under a CTAP (Career Transition Assistance Plan) eligibility?
You may qualify for CTAP eligibility if all of the statements apply to you:
To verify your eligibility for CTAP:
You must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must also submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest SF-50: Notification of Personnel Action showing position, tenure code, grade & step, and full name/DOB/SSN.
You may qualify for CTAP eligibility if all of the statements apply to you:
- You are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy.
- You have been (or will be) involuntarily separated from the agency advertising this position, due to a reduction-in-force.
- You are applying to a position that is at (or below) the grade level of the position separated from.
- You are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position separated from.
- Your last performance rating of record is at least "fully successful" or equivalent.
To verify your eligibility for CTAP:
You must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must also submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest SF-50: Notification of Personnel Action showing position, tenure code, grade & step, and full name/DOB/SSN.
3.
Do you wish to be considered under the Schedule A eligibility for people with disabilities?
You may qualify for this eligibility if you have a severe physical, psychiatric, or intellectual disability, that limits one (or more) of your life functions, and qualifies based on Schedule A provisions. You can read more about Schedule A on the USAJOBS website. Learn more about this eligibility on the Individuals with Disabilities page on USAJOBS...
To verify your eligibility:
You must provide appropriate medical documentation, such as a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition, fitness to work, and any related work restrictions. This documentation must be provided with your application. You will not be able to provide this documentation once the vacancy announcement closes.
You may qualify for this eligibility if you have a severe physical, psychiatric, or intellectual disability, that limits one (or more) of your life functions, and qualifies based on Schedule A provisions. You can read more about Schedule A on the USAJOBS website. Learn more about this eligibility on the Individuals with Disabilities page on USAJOBS...
To verify your eligibility:
You must provide appropriate medical documentation, such as a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition, fitness to work, and any related work restrictions. This documentation must be provided with your application. You will not be able to provide this documentation once the vacancy announcement closes.
4.
Do you wish to be considered under the ICTAP (Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan) eligibility?
You may qualify for ICTAP if all of the following statements apply to you:
To verify your eligibility for ICTAP:
You must submit a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must also submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest SF-50: Notification of Personnel Action, showing the agency, position held, tenure and appointment codes, and full biographical information (name, DOB, and SSN).
You may qualify for ICTAP if all of the following statements apply to you:
- You are located in the same local commuting area of the position being advertised.
- You were (or will be) separated from a position at an agency outside of the FDA due to a reduction-in-force.
- You are applying to a position that is at (or below) the grade level of the position from which you have been (or will be) separated.
- You are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you have been (or will be) separated.
- Your last performance rating of record is at least "fully successful" or equivalent.
To verify your eligibility for ICTAP:
You must submit a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must also submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest SF-50: Notification of Personnel Action, showing the agency, position held, tenure and appointment codes, and full biographical information (name, DOB, and SSN).
5.
VETERANS PREFERENCE INFORMATION
The vacancy you are applying to is being advertised under Delegated Examining (Category Rating) procedures, in accordance with Title 5 of the US Code. Veterans and certain military spouses are able to receive a preference eligibility based on prior military service, disability, or survivorship. You can read more about each eligibility option by clicking the links below. If you answer "yes" to this question, you are indicating that you have read and understand the supporting documentation requirements, and that you will provide these supporting documents in your application. Missing or inaccurate supporting documents may result in your preference claim being adjudicated as ineligible. It's very important that you make the correct selection and provide the required information and documentation for us to verify any claim you submit.
There are three types of Veterans Preference:
See the FedsHireVets Job Seekers page for more information on how preference is applied, how to claim a preference, and what documentation you may need to supply.
You can also check out the USAJOBS Veterans site as well.
Having reviewed this information, do you intend to claim any kind of spousal or veterans preference in your application to this announcement?
The vacancy you are applying to is being advertised under Delegated Examining (Category Rating) procedures, in accordance with Title 5 of the US Code. Veterans and certain military spouses are able to receive a preference eligibility based on prior military service, disability, or survivorship. You can read more about each eligibility option by clicking the links below. If you answer "yes" to this question, you are indicating that you have read and understand the supporting documentation requirements, and that you will provide these supporting documents in your application. Missing or inaccurate supporting documents may result in your preference claim being adjudicated as ineligible. It's very important that you make the correct selection and provide the required information and documentation for us to verify any claim you submit.
There are three types of Veterans Preference:
- Disabled (10-point preference eligible)
- Non-Disabled (5-point preference eligible)
- Sole Survivorship (0-point preference eligible)
See the FedsHireVets Job Seekers page for more information on how preference is applied, how to claim a preference, and what documentation you may need to supply.
You can also check out the USAJOBS Veterans site as well.
Having reviewed this information, do you intend to claim any kind of spousal or veterans preference in your application to this announcement?
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
From the descriptions below, select the one which best describes your experience and which meets the Minimal Qualification Requirements for the Public Affairs Specialist, GS-1035-12/13. If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your responses when compared to your background information, you may be deemed ineligible or your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your skills and abilities.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
Do you have at least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service) that includes experience working in media relations serving as a communication/public affairs/public relations professional responding to news media inquiries and providing strategic communication advice on topics dealing with human (pharmaceutical) or veterinary drugs, vaccines or other biological products for human use, medical devices, human or animal food, cosmetics, dietary supplements, or tobacco products. Alternatively, experience working as a journalist/member of the news media reporting on scientific issues.
2.
If you selected "Yes" to question 1 above, list the following information that supports your self-rating. Please include the following: Company/Organization Name: Relevant Position Title: Dates Relevant Position Held: One public health and scientific issue you answered news media inquiries on, and/or reported on as a journalist/member of the news media. (Response to this verification box is required; failure to respond to the requested information, could result in not being considered for this position).
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
3.
Do you have at least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service) that includes experience working in media relations serving as a senior communication/public affairs/public relations professional responding to and overseeing news media inquiries and providing strategic communication advice on complex topics dealing with human (pharmaceutical) or veterinary drugs, vaccines or other biological products for human use, medical devices, human or animal food, cosmetics, dietary supplements, or tobacco products. Alternatively, experience working as a journalist/member of the news media reporting on public health and scientific issues.
4.
If you selected "Yes" to question 3 above, list the following information that supports your self-rating. Please include the following: Company/Organization Name: Relevant Position Title: Dates Relevant Position Held: Three (3) public health and scientific issues you answered news media inquiries on, and/or reported on as a journalist/member of the news media. (Response to this verification box is required; failure to respond to the requested information, could result in not being considered for this position).
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
5.
Identify the areas in which you have experience communicating on medical and scientific issues.
6.
Identify those areas for which you have independently and personally written content related to an organization's public affairs program.
7.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders (i.e. media).
8.
Arrange news media interviews with officials and news media representatives.
9.
Advise interview subjects on news media interviews and other news media engagement opportunities.
10.
Arrange a variety of news events to include but not limited to media interviews.
11.
Consult with photographers, illustrators, and audio-visual personnel to use photographs, illustrations, animation, and video and/or sound files to help explain scientific concepts covered in written material.
12.
Recommend improvements or solutions to communication challenges.
13.
Use new media/social networking tools and platforms when communicating to lay audiences.
14.
Write and edit materials (i.e. news releases or news articles), about public health and scientific subjects directed towards lay audiences.
15.
Take into account the target audience when developing written communication materials.
16.
Translate medical/scientific data, studies, and information into formats and messages that are accurate and understandable to non-scientific audiences.
17.
Aids in preparing and/or reviewing and editing communication plans, talking points, fact sheets, news releases, speeches, video scripts, blogs, briefing (PowerPoint) slides, website content or other deliverables.
Applicants must submit two (2) writing samples to further demonstrate the specialized experience. Each sample should include the date the material was finalized or published. The writing samples will be evaluated on the following criteria: 1) Are the samples written in plain language? 2) Are the samples written in a journalistic style? 3) Does the content in the samples describe public health and scientific topics?
Are you submitting writing samples with your resume/application?
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
18.
Are your writing samples included in your application package?
Your responses in this Assessment Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification. Please review your responses to this questionnaire to ensure their accuracy. Failure to respond to this question will disqualify you from further consideration for this position.
19.
I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 S.C. 1001) my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.