- Position Title
- PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
- Agency
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Announcement Number
- DE-10570197-19-ST Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Thursday, August 8, 2019 to Tuesday, August 13, 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?
2.
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
• your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy and
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
You will be required to submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of ICTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50. For more information, review https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/
If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
• your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy and
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
You will be required to submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of ICTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50. For more information, review https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/
3.
You are eligible for this hiring category if you:
- Are a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who has permanent change of station (PCS) orders (not for training).
- Limited to the geographic area as specified in the PCS orders. This includes the surrounding area which people reasonably can be expected to travel daily to and from work.
- Must relocate with the service member to be eligible.
- Must be currently located in the commuting area to be authorized preference.
- Resume;
- The service member's permanent change of station orders with the spouse listed, including a statement authorizing the spouse to accompany the member to the permanent duty station, the specific location to which the member is assigned, reassigned, or transferred to permanent change of station orders, and the effective date of the permanent change of station;
- Verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage certificate or license or other legal documentation verifying marriage);
- Signed self-certification checklist, within the last 30 days;
- Veterans preference documentation, if applicable;
- SF-50 (e.g., LWOP, highest grade held, overseas appointment, etc.), if applicable;
- SF-75 information;
- Documentation of performance rating of record (dated within the last 12 months);
- Transcripts, if applicable
4.
The Washington Headquarters Service is currently operating under an approved reengineered Priority Placement Program (PPP) pilot for all positions in its serviced workforce. This pilot is application based and current PPP registrants who are registered for activity codes 293A and 295A are required to apply to the job announcement via USAJobs in order to exercise their priority placement status. This pilot permits priority candidates to be assessed with other competitive applicants. Anyone claiming priority status must provide a copy of their PPP registration and supporting documentation (e.g. RIF notice, Sponsor's PCS orders, Certification of Expected Separation) at the time of application to verify priority placement and eligibility.
Assessment 1
Thank you for applying to the Public Affairs Specialist position, GS-1035-14, with the Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs), Directorate for Community and Public Outreach.
1.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Public Affairs Specialist, at the GS-14 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service or equivalent in the private or public sector.
Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Public Affairs Specialist, at the GS-14 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service or equivalent in the private or public sector.
This position has Conditions of Employment that must be obtained prior to your start date and maintained for the duration of this employment.
Select "Yes" or "No" to the following question(s).
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
2.
This position requires you to pass screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment and subsequent periodic drug screening thereafter. Are you willing to meet the drug testing requirements?
3.
This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. Are you willing to meet the security clearance requirements?
4.
This position requires travel away from your normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft. Are you willing to meet the travel requirement?
5.
This position requires you to work other than normal hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays and/or overtime. Are you willing to work other than normal hours?
In this part you will respond to questions about your experience as it relates to the position for which you are applying. Carefully review the level descriptions (A to E) listed below. For each task question, choose the level description that best describes your experience and/or training. Your responses must be fully supported within the text of your resume. Failure to properly identify your experience may result in the lowering of your overall score and/or your disqualification for this position.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
6.
Researches and analyzes background communication plans, current issues, lessons learned, and media to establish a planning baseline.
7.
Determines background information (e.g., issue statements, questions and answers, talking points, key messages, and position papers) to support communication engagements.
8.
Identifies and develops metrics to evaluate communication outreach effectiveness.
9.
Provides spokesperson/subject matter experts for communication engagements strategies for addressing multiple topics (e.g. broad in scope, technically difficult, complex or controversial).
10.
Responds to media or public queries to address complex topics.
11.
Coordinates and/or approves information for public release, ensuring accuracy, clarity, completeness, timeliness, and consistency with agency policies, to include conformance with information security regulations.
12.
Develops and implements public affairs policies, guidance, and procedures to generate awareness and educate the general public through information provided to the news media about the organization's mission and objectives.
13.
Assesses relevant issues that may require changes to public affairs policies and procedures.
14.
Coordinates the staffing, adjudication, and approval of public affairs policies and procedures governing the release of information.
15.
Creates and distributes public affairs communication content and products (e.g., articles, brochures, photos, press releases, on-line content, etc.) for a wide range of audiences, publics, and stakeholders.
16.
Provides public affairs communication content and products (e.g., speeches, presentations) to prepare speakers for engagements, controversial issues, and crises.
17.
Reviews and/or edits content for plain language to ensure clear and concise communication.
18.
Advises leadership and subject matter experts in public affairs communication planning, policy, and engagements.
19.
Prepares agency personnel on how to engage with audiences, publics, and stakeholders, regarding public affairs communication programs or activities.
20.
Advises leaders and subject matter experts on crisis communication.
21.
Provides a reference and interpretation for laws, regulations, and guidance relevant to public affairs operations.
22.
Collects and analyzes feedback, metrics, or other information to evaluate communication outreach.
23.
Provides background materials, key messages, and talking points to senior staff leaders on public affairs communication plans.
24.
Coordinates and gains approval for communication plans by agency officials.
25.
Builds and maintains effective working relationships and partners with customers.
26.
Conveys a professional attitude when interacting with staff, customers and senior leadership.
27.
Establishes standards and goals for customer service and satisfaction, assessing results and developing and implementing changes for improvement.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
28.
Integrity Certification:
Your ratings in this questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents you submitted. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. By agreeing to the statement below, you are confirming that you: 1) understand this warning; 2) have reviewed your responses to this questionnaire for accuracy; 3) have verified that your responses accurately describe your current level of experience and capability as reflected in your resume. Do you certify the accuracy of your responses?
Your ratings in this questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents you submitted. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. By agreeing to the statement below, you are confirming that you: 1) understand this warning; 2) have reviewed your responses to this questionnaire for accuracy; 3) have verified that your responses accurately describe your current level of experience and capability as reflected in your resume. Do you certify the accuracy of your responses?