- Position Title
- PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
- Agency
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- Announcement Number
- ST-10629495-20-MG Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Wednesday, October 16, 2019 to Wednesday, October 30, 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.
You are eligible for this hiring category if you are currently employed on a permanent appointment in the competitive service with a federal agency.
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility, by submitting a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, (block 24 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1").
NOTE: If you are serviced by WHS you are not required to submit an SF-50.
*If you are currently working on a temporary or term appointment, or are serving on active duty in the U.S. military service, you are NOT eligible for this hiring category.
*If you are currently working for a private sector company performing work related to a contract with a federal agency, you are NOT eligible for this hiring category.
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility, by submitting a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, (block 24 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1").
NOTE: If you are serviced by WHS you are not required to submit an SF-50.
*If you are currently working on a temporary or term appointment, or are serving on active duty in the U.S. military service, you are NOT eligible for this hiring category.
*If you are currently working for a private sector company performing work related to a contract with a federal agency, you are NOT eligible for this hiring category.
3.
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/
4.
You are eligible for this hiring category, if you are:
- A current non-appropriated fund (NAF); OR
- Other Interchange Agreement eligible employee; AND
- served continuously for at least one year under a permanent appointment; OR
- Former Interchange Agreement eligible (e.g., NAF) employee who served under an appointment described above, and was involuntarily separated within the past year without personal cause (i.e., not because of unacceptable conduct or performance).
5.
Are you eligible under this authority for appointment?
• Current or former Land Management Agency employee (i.e. the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture; the Bureau of Land Management of the Department of the Interior; the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior; the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior; the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior; or the Bureau of Reclamation of the Department of the Interior); and
• Who currently are or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies.
Current land management agency appointees:
must have initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to the time-limited appointment,
must have served under 1 or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years, and
must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.
Former land management agency employees:
must have initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to the time-limited appointment,
must have served under 1 or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a total period of more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years,
must have performed at an acceptable level throughout the service period(s),
must apply for a position covered by these provisions within 2 years after their most recent date of separation, and
must have been separated, with respect to their most recent separation, for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable proof of your appointment eligibility by submitting a copy of your most recent SF-50 (block 24 must be a "0" or "3" AND block 34 must be a"1"), Notification of Personnel Action, documenting your Land Management eligibility for a competitive service appointment AND performance rating showing you have performed at an acceptable level.
• Current or former Land Management Agency employee (i.e. the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture; the Bureau of Land Management of the Department of the Interior; the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior; the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior; the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior; or the Bureau of Reclamation of the Department of the Interior); and
• Who currently are or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies.
Current land management agency appointees:
must have initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to the time-limited appointment,
must have served under 1 or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years, and
must have performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.
Former land management agency employees:
must have initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to the time-limited appointment,
must have served under 1 or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a total period of more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years,
must have performed at an acceptable level throughout the service period(s),
must apply for a position covered by these provisions within 2 years after their most recent date of separation, and
must have been separated, with respect to their most recent separation, for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable proof of your appointment eligibility by submitting a copy of your most recent SF-50 (block 24 must be a "0" or "3" AND block 34 must be a"1"), Notification of Personnel Action, documenting your Land Management eligibility for a competitive service appointment AND performance rating showing you have performed at an acceptable level.
6.
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
7.
The Washington Headquarters Service (WHS) 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, Certification of Expected Separation) at the time of application to verify priority placement and eligibility. Are you claiming priority consideration under the WHS, PPP Pilot?
8.
Were you formerly employed as a federal civilian on a permanent competitive appointment but are not currently a permanent competitive federal employee?
If eligible, submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
• Your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect career or career-conditional (Tenure 1 or 2) AND
• Your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied is 1).
NOTE: If you are serviced by WHS you are not required to submit an SF-50.
If eligible, submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
• Your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect career or career-conditional (Tenure 1 or 2) AND
• Your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect your status was in the competitive service (Position Occupied is 1).
NOTE: If you are serviced by WHS you are not required to submit an SF-50.
9.
You are required to submit proof of your eligibility. Examples of special appointment authority include appointment of people from Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service, General Accounting Office, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, Panama Canal Commission, Peace Corps, Postal Career Service/Postal Rate Commission, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), VISTA/ACTION Volunteers, etc. You are required to provide acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility, by submitting a copy of proof of employment, from the appropriate agency, on official letterhead, with your complete application.
10.
Are you a veteran whose discharge was under honorable conditions and you AND:
• 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
• a preference eligible veteran
If eligible, 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.
For more information, review https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/
• 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
• a preference eligible veteran
If eligible, 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.
For more information, review https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/
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 for Public Affairs, Policy and Executive Services.
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 Top Secret/SCI 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.
Coordinates and gains approval for communication plans by agency officials.
7.
Researches and analyzes background communication plans, current issues, lessons learned, and media to establish a planning baseline.
8.
Determines background information (e.g., issue statements, questions and answers, talking points, key messages, training materials and position papers) to support communication engagements.
9.
Identifies and develops metrics to evaluate communication outreach effectiveness.
10.
Provides spokesperson/subject matter experts for communication engagements strategies for addressing multiple topics (e.g. broad in scope, technically difficult, complex or controversial).
11.
Responds to media or public queries to address complex topics.
12.
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.
13.
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.
14.
Assesses relevant issues that may require changes to public affairs policies and procedures.
15.
Coordinates the staffing, adjudication, and approval of public affairs policies and procedures governing the release of information.
16.
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.
17.
Provides public affairs communication content and products (e.g., speeches, presentations) to prepare speakers for engagements, controversial issues, and crises.
18.
Reviews and/or edits content for plain language to ensure clear and concise communication.
19.
Advises leadership and subject matter experts in public affairs communication planning, policy, and engagements.
20.
Prepares agency personnel on how to engage with audiences, publics, and stakeholders, regarding public affairs communication programs or activities.
21.
Advises leaders and subject matter experts on crisis communication.
22.
Provides a reference and interpretation for laws, regulations, and guidance relevant to public affairs operations.
23.
Collects and analyzes feedback, metrics, or other information to evaluate communication outreach.
24.
Provides background materials, key messages, and talking points to senior staff leaders on public affairs communication plans.
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.
For each knowledge area, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of knowledge using the scale below.
28.
Performs follow-up to ensure quality of work products and/or actions are completed.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
29.
Reviews materials and work products to ensure they are accurate, clear, and concise.
30.
Follows process steps as outlined in standard operating guidance to ensure compliance
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
31.
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?