- Position Title
- Public Affairs Specialist
- Agency
- Surface Transportation Board
- Announcement Number
- STB-19-KW-10573282-DEMP Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Tuesday, September 10, 2019 to Tuesday, September 24, 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 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.
• 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.
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..
• 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..
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.
• 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.
5.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position? If yes, confirm:
• you are a current federal employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced employee; AND,
• you've received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF) or removed for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function; AND,
• the agency you're applying to is accepting applications from outside of their workforce; AND,
• the job you're applying to is in the local commuting area; AND,
• you meet the qualifications and other requirements of the job you're applying for; 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.
• you are a current federal employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced employee; AND,
• you've received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF) or removed for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function; AND,
• the agency you're applying to is accepting applications from outside of their workforce; AND,
• the job you're applying to is in the local commuting area; AND,
• you meet the qualifications and other requirements of the job you're applying for; 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.
6.
Are you a current or former Land Management employee, who worked in a term or temporary job (Land management agencies include The Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, The Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Reclamation)?
-AND-
Are you a within two years of your last COMPETITIVE SERVICE term or temporary job?
-AND-
Did you work for a land management agency for more than 24 months (it doesn't have to be continuous, as long as there's no break of two or more years)?
-AND-
Did you receive acceptable performance ratings throughout your term or temporary employment?
-AND-
Did you leave this Land Management designated position for other than misconduct or performance reasons?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your Term or Temporary, competitive service status.
-AND-
Are you a within two years of your last COMPETITIVE SERVICE term or temporary job?
-AND-
Did you work for a land management agency for more than 24 months (it doesn't have to be continuous, as long as there's no break of two or more years)?
-AND-
Did you receive acceptable performance ratings throughout your term or temporary employment?
-AND-
Did you leave this Land Management designated position for other than misconduct or performance reasons?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your Term or Temporary, competitive service status.
- Conditional or Indefinite (Tenure field is 2 or 3); AND,
- your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
- You must also submit your latest performance management record.
7.
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 are 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.
-OR-
Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are 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.
8.
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?
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) reflecting your status.
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?
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) reflecting your status.
9.
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 stating your condition and restrictions.
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 stating your condition and restrictions.
10.
Were you formerly, but not currently, employed as a Federal civilian on a permanent competitive appointment?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
11.
Are you currently employed as a civilian employee in the competitive service in a Federal agency other than the Agency hiring for this position?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
• career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
• your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
12.
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.
• 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.
Assessment 1
1.
Which of the following statements best describes your experience? Please select only one response. (Also, you must verify that you meet the experience you claim by documenting it in your resume. If you do not clearly show in your resume how your job history supports your experience claim below, you will be rated ineligible).
For each question/statement, select the ONE response description that best describes your experience and record your selections. Please select only one response for each item. A- I have not had experience in performing this task. B- I have had education or training in performing this task, but have not yet performed it on the job. C- I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures. D- I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee. E- I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
2.
Serves as media adviser to executive management.
3.
Provides input on the timing and necessity of issuing press releases.
4.
Strategizes how to manage public attention for sensitive issues.
5.
Creates and implements policies and procedures for public affairs.
6.
Reaches out to local media in advance of field hearings, events or speeches that address
issues of local import.
issues of local import.
7.
Creates and maintains database of media inquiries and media contacts related to the rail transportation industry and by issue/location.
8.
Provides researched talking points to management before interviews.
9.
Develops content and maintains organizational website.
10.
Ensures that website architecture, design and content is accurate and acceptable to internal stakeholders and is intuitive and user-friendly to external stakeholders.
11.
Oversees the creation, approval, and implementation of a social media policy on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and GovLoop for a company or an organization.
12.
Develops policies and procedures to address inquiries and comments that come in through social media for a company or an organization.
13.
Serves as liaison to external web consultants who assist in ensuring functionality of an organization's website.
14.
Oversees revisions to the site through content management database.
15.
Arranges and participates in interviews and calls between reporters and senior staff.
16.
Alerts specific reporters and publications about speeches and hearings.
17.
Handles reporter inquiries for a company or organization.
18.
Serves as on-the-record spokesman for a company or an organization.
19.
Communicates to a variety of audiences regarding rail transportation issues.
20.
Writes all the content for the website in conjunction with issue experts from across an organization.
21.
Posts text changes and updates to a company website.
22.
Drafts press releases for an organization or company.
23.
Drafts op-eds and other articles for publication.
24.
Prepare responses to queries from individuals, organizations and others concerning railroad/transportation programs.