Agricultural Research Service Logo
Position Title
Public Affairs Specialist
Agency
Agricultural Research Service
Announcement Number
ARS-S19Y-10682294-TLH Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, December 20, 2019 to Thursday, January 2, 2020
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. Your answers will be used to determine your eligibility to apply to this job opportunity announcement. You will be considered under the eligibility option(s) to which you answer YES. Select YES to all eligibility options for which you want to be considered. If you respond NO to meeting the criteria for all the eligibilities, you will not be considered for those eligibilities. NOTE: You must submit the required supporting documentation to receive consideration for EACH selected eligibility. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration. (limit 0 characters)
1. Do you claim Veterans' Preference? (limit characters)
2.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you 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.
 
 
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3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as 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.
 
 
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4. Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below: 

• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating? 
OR 
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
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Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Your responses to the questions below will be used in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Your resume and application materials must support the level of experience and/or education you claim in this questionnaire. If, after a complete review of your application package, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications, you may be rated ineligible for this position. (limit characters)
1. From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-11 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified.
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2. From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-12 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified.
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3. From the choices below, please select the response that best describes how your experience meets the minimum qualification requirements for this position at the GS-13 level. Your resume must clearly support the response you select or you will be rated as not qualified.
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Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
4. Initiate and develop liaison with representatives of newspapers, magazines, or other news media to assess media needs.
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5. Convey to the public the relevance and future consequences of agency research.
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6. Advise management on media needs to develop appropriate information response.
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7. Establish and develop effective relationships with news media representatives or public affairs personnel of organizations to increase coverage or attention to internal organizational programs.
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8. Interview scientists, subject matter specialists, or administrators to obtain information needed for reporting on organizational activities.
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9. Determine the need for and develop articles, reports, or presentations to submit to print media.
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10. Maintain liaison with officials of other organizations to prepare informational materials and respond to inquiries from print media or the public.
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11. I have experience preparing the following: (Select all that apply)
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Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
12. Provide news releases, special articles, statements, fact sheets or other information products as appropriate to explain the national scope of research.
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13. Determine aspects of the media coverage that may be tailored to stimulate new interest among media and organizations.
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14. Provide news releases, special articles, statements, fact sheets or other information products to incorporate into speeches for administrators, budget presentations or briefings.
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15. Participate with a management team to formulate tactics to inform general or specialized audiences about the organization's policies, programs, and goals.
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16. Develop short and long-term information services or products to deliver information about organizational activities, mission, goals or policy to news media or national organizations.
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17. Coordinate with administration in planning and preparing news or feature stories to widen news media coverage at the national level.
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18. Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of communications plans to advise management if efforts should be discontinued, emphasis changed, or coverage expanded.
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19. Plan and prepare special information materials as requested or required by internal or external stakeholders concerning programs and accomplishments of the organization.
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20. 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 U.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.
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