Office of the Secretary of the Interior Logo
Position Title
Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist
Agency
Office of the Secretary of the Interior
Announcement Number
CC-20-PQ10695878 Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, January 13, 2020 to Wednesday, January 29, 2020
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 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)
3. 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 have you never held the full performance level of this position?

-OR-

Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service and have you never held the full performance level of 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); AND,
• status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
 
(limit characters)
4. This position is subject to the Indian Preference Act of 1934 (25 U.S.C. 472), which affords employment preference to qualified Native American candidates.  Proof of eligibility, in the form of a completed Verification of Indian Preference, BIA - 4432 Form, must be provided with your application by the closing date to be granted such preference.  

Are you claiming Indian Preference, and submitting your BIA-4432 Form?
 
(limit characters)
5. 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)
6. 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 your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) and performance appraisal that demonstrates you meet the requirements outlined in the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act.
(limit characters)
7. Do you meet one of the following Non-Competitive Merit Promotion Eligibilities:

Individual eligible under other non-competitive appointment authorities such as: Veterans Recruitment Authority; Military spouses under E.O. 13473; Certain former overseas employees; Present and former Peace Corps, Vista or Action volunteers; Former White House staff; Present and former Foreign Service officers and employees; Certain National Guard technicians; Schedule A; OPM Interchange Agreement and Other Miscellaneous Authorities.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation. For example, 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; a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50); etc. All required documentation will be outlined in the Job Opportunity Announcement.
(limit characters)
8. Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service at the same grade level as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?

-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 the same grade as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential?

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); AND,
• status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
 
(limit characters)
9. 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
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
1. This position requires a valid driver's license. Do you possess a current, valid driver's license?
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2. Have you received an unfavorable suitability determination or been denied a security clearance by the Department of the Interior within the last year?
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From the descriptions below, select one response that best describes how your background meets the minimum qualification requirements for the position. You are required to answer every question in the questionnaire. If you leave a question blank you will be rated ineligible. YOUR RESUME MUST SUPPORT THE ANSWERS YOU CLAIM IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE IN ORDER TO BE FOUND QUALIFIED AND CONSIDERED FOR THE POSITION. If using education to qualify, you MUST submit a copy of your official transcripts. If using academy/training courts to qualify, you MUST submit a copy of certification/training. Failure to provide the required documents will render you not eligible for consideration. (limit characters)
3. Please choose the statement that best describes how you qualify for this position at the GS-15 grade level.
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Knowledge of how to perform one's job refers to specialized knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience. Please indicate for the following statements if you possess that experience. YOUR RESUME MUST SUPPORT (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
4. Have you worked with American Indian tribes, communities, and/or programs?
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5. Have you studied the communication objectives, needs, or performance of an organization to develop strategies?
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6. Have you executed a public affairs/relations program designed by others?
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7. Do you have experience designing an effective public affairs/relations program to maintain favorable public perceptions of an organization?
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8. Have you managed unexpected or controversial matters with the potential to create media headlines?
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9. Have you established and maintained strong and positive relations with members of the media at an executive level?
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10. Do you have experience drafting speeches for executives or leaders of an organization?
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11. Have you served as the official spokesperson to the news media?
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12. Do you have experience responding to social media comments or messages in a professional environment?
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13. Have you reviewed and approved papers, briefings and statements before releasing to the media?
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14. Have you directed the coordination of events and conferences?
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15. Have you served as public affairs expert and consultant on strategic executive actions?
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16. Have you represented organizational leaders by giving talks, briefings or being a moderator in events?
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17. Do you have experience ensuring all public affairs products and projects are delivered accurately and on time?
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18. Do you have experience evaluating the impact of the messaging of actions taken to the organization and public served?
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19. Have you evaluated social media options (i.e. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) to determine effective ways to deliver massages?
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20. Have you been the evaluator and decision maker for factual content delivery and distribution methods?
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21. Do you have experience being the deciding authority for course of action of complex/controversial public relations/affairs matters?
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22. Have you supervised a staff of public relations, public affairs or in a communications department?
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23. Have you developed long-term strategic plans for an office?
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24. Do you have experience determining objectives and setting priorities for a public affairs office?
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25. Do you have experience adjusting work operations to meet changing program needs?
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26. Have you managed resources, including human capital, to ensure deadlines are met?
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27. Do you have experience managing, leading, and supervising employees to include planning and developing manpower programs?
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28. Have you developed a manpower program that resulted in the effective and efficient utilization of human and financial resources?
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29. Do you have experience building a cohesive and highly productive team of professional staff?
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30. Have you planned, coordinated, and executed functions in a public affairs office?
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31. Do you have experience modifying resources allocation to ensure maximum production in an office?
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32. 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 appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand than any information I give may be investigated.
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