Executive Office for Immigration Review Logo
Position Title
Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist (Chief)
Agency
Executive Office for Immigration Review
Announcement Number
ST-10460060-19-TW Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, April 19, 2019 to Thursday, May 2, 2019
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
  • have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR
  • are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
(limit characters)
3. (1) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who has been issued orders for a permanent change of station (PCS)? If yes, confirm you are indicated on the PCS orders; and that you:
  • have been married to the military member on or prior to the date of your spouse's PCS orders;
  • are relocating with your spouse to the new duty location; AND
  • have not previously been appointed using this authority under these orders.
-OR-

(2) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?

-OR-

(3) Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility for option 1 identified above, you must submit a copy of the PCS orders indicating you are authorized to relocate on those orders.

To verify your eligibility for options 2 and 3 identified above, you must submit the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15 and all supporting documentation identified on that document (e.g., Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service; death certificate and documentation identifying marital status at the time of death; disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc.
(limit characters)
4. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center

To verify your eligibility, 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 submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
 
(limit characters)
5. Were you employed overseas as an Appropriated Fund employee AND did you:
  • complete 52 weeks of creditable overseas service in an appropriated fund position(s) as a family member during the time you accompanied a sponsor officially assigned to an overseas area; AND
  • receive a fully successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating; AND
  • return to the United States to resume residence less than 3 years ago?
For more information, review USAJOBS Former Overseas Employees resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50, and performance appraisal.
(limit characters)
6. Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) AND can you respond "yes" to at least one of the two below statements?
  • The grade level or at least one of the grade levels I am applying for is higher than I have previously held? 
  • The stated full performance level of this position is at a higher grade level than any of my previous position's stated full performance level(s)?
OR

Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service AND can you respond "yes" to at least one of the two below statements?
  • The grade level or at least one of the grade levels I am applying for is higher than I have previously held or currently hold? 
  • The stated full performance level of this position is at a higher grade level than any of my previous or current position's stated full performance level(s)? 
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 should document how you meet the above requirements including grade levels and full performance levels of current/past positions. You may need to submit more than one SF-50. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must also reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
  • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
7. Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service with the same or higher promotion potential as this position?

-OR-

Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or have you obtained career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you held a position with the same or higher promotion potential as this position?

To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2);
  • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1); AND
  • a remark documenting your promotion potential.
(limit characters)
8. Have you completed at least 1 year of continuous service immediately before separation from one or more nontemporary Foreign Service appointments; AND, your separation from a Foreign Service career-type appointment occurred in the last 3 years (individuals entitled to veteran's preference do not need to meet this 3-year requirement)?
 
-OR-
 
Have you completed at least 3 years of substantially continuous service under one or more nontemporary appointments in the Foreign Service immediately before separation from an unlimited, career-type appointment in that Service?
 
-OR-
 
Are you a current or former limited non-career appointee with the Foreign Service and have at least 48 months of continuous service, a performance rating of satisfactory or better, and if a former employee, no more than a one year break in service since your qualifying appointment?
 
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) reflecting your nontemporary status. If you are outside of the 3-year requirement but are entitled to veteran's preference, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.
(limit characters)
9. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position?

If yes, confirm:
  • you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
(limit characters)
10. Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who:
  • was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; AND,
  • served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; AND,
  • performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; AND,
  • if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and departed that position in good standing.
To verify your eligibility, you must provide a copy of all Notification of Personnel Actions, Standard Form 50s (SF-50) and performance appraisals that demonstrates you meet all the requirements outlined in the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act.
(limit characters)
11. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months?

-OR-

Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position?

-OR-

Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your description of service or other proof of non-competitive eligibility. If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.
(limit characters)
12. Are you a current Excepted Service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management?
 
For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems

-OR-

Are you a current:
  • Postal Career Service Employee;
  • Postal Rate Commission Employee;
  • Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,
  • Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee? 
-OR-

Are you eligible under another Miscellaneous Authority Not Regulated by U.S. Office of Personnel Management?

For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) and/or other documentation reflecting your status and eligibility.
(limit characters)
13. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist showing proof of intellectual, severe physical, or psychiatric disability.
(limit characters)
14. Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:
  • served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,
  • are entitled to veterans' preference?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
1. From the descriptions below, select the one which best describes your education and/or experience to perform the duties of a Public Affairs Specialist, GS-1035-15. (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
2. Serve as a spokesperson for the agency with the responsibility to present information on complex policies and decisions to a variety of audiences including media representatives.
(limit characters)
3. Develop policy recommendations and execute media campaigns on behalf of the agency.
(limit characters)
4. Interact with senior leaders to develop strategies and messages on complex issues that involve national policy.
(limit characters)
5. Select appropriate communication methods (i.e., print, media relations, outreach, web and social media) to disseminate information.
(limit characters)
6. Analyze incoming information and provide advice, often under severe time constraints, on the perception of the public and their Congressional representatives regarding organizational activities.
(limit characters)
7. Analyze legislation or news media statements, articles, or pieces that involve or impact the agency. (limit characters)
8. Conduct studies to enhance or improve working relationships with other key officials.
(limit characters)
9. Identify opportunities to develop working partnerships with Congress, Federal, State, and local government agencies, foreign governments and internal and external stakeholders.
(limit characters)
10. Draft legislation, analyze proposals, and develop legislative strategy related to national programs.
(limit characters)
11. Develop assigned aspects of an ongoing program designed to provide a harmonious relationship and effective exchange of information between Congress and the agency.
(limit characters)
12. Coordinate and communicate internally with high level officials, employees, and peers as it relates to further develop a communications program, including public affairs and outreach activities. (limit characters)
13. Conduct evaluation of the impact and effectiveness of public affairs and communication programs and analyze the effectiveness of communication methods.
(limit characters)
14. Arrange press conferences, media briefings, media availabilities, interviews and other news events.
(limit characters)
15. Plan meetings, conferences, and seminars involving the agency's high level officials for the purpose of communicating the agency's position on programs, communication initiatives, politically sensitive issues, and areas of mutual interest. (limit characters)
16. Analyze proposed legislation and news media that involve or impact the agency. (limit characters)
17. Serve as a technical advisor to senior officials on selected communications matters that impact the agency. (limit characters)
18. Recommend alternative approaches and methods of communication with stakeholders to ensure the most effective and efficient means are used.
(limit characters)
19. Report to senior leadership on discussions and conferences pertaining to issues important to the agency.
(limit characters)
20. Advise senior leadership on the appropriate course of action for distribution of information.
(limit characters)
21. Prepare news releases, briefing papers, communications plans, and outreach and informational materials to inform and educate the public and promote the agency's goals and objectives.
(limit characters)
22. Serve as external/public affairs spokesperson, facilitating the recognition of the agency's programs and mission.
(limit characters)
23. Prepare speeches and talking points for high level officials covering a myriad of topics. (limit characters)
24. Develop material to be provided to members of Congress and their staff with analysis and interpretations of new and revised programs administered by the agency.
(limit characters)
25. Develop reports, gather statistical support, and assemble other relevant information that provide well based and logical justification to stakeholders for the agency's activities and policy positions. (limit characters)