U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Logo
Position Title
PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
Agency
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Announcement Number
NCFV204659919294 Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, June 16, 2020 to Monday, June 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. 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans

Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions and you:

• retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more OR
• have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more

Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility, as follows:

• DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing dates of service, as well as character of discharge; member 4 copy of the DD Form 214 is preferable (Note: If you have more than one DD Form 214 for multiple periods of active duty service, you should submit a copy for each period of service.); AND
• A copy of a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs, dated 1991 or later, certifying an OVERALL Service Connected Disability of 30% or more; OR
• DD Form 214, which reflects the character of service of "Retirement-Disability"; OR
• Certification document* which reflects your OVERALL service connected disability of 30% or more.
• The Standard Form-15 (SF-15), an Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference is optional at the time of application.

The "certification" letter is a written document on an official letterhead of the appropriate military branch in which the veteran served, and contains at a minimum, the service member's: (1) military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; (2) expected character of service (i.e. honorable); (3) rank; and (4) type of discharge. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, military personnel officer, or commander of the service member's unit or higher headquarters. The service member's military service dates are necessary in order to determine whether he or she meets the definition of ''veteran'' under 5 U.S.C. 2108(1) (Federal Register, 2016).

Useful Links

You may request copies of your military personnel records online.
You can obtain a copy of your DD-214 from the National Archives.
Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference
U.S. Office of Personnel Management's Veterans Employment
U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Preference Advisor

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

 
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3. Current Department of Army Civilian Employees

Department of the Army regulations include several employment categories in the definition of "current Army civilian employee".  Do you meet one of the categories below?

• CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES SERVING ON A PERMANENT APPOINTMENT. You must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. Block 24 of your SF-50 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1." Army employees can access their SF-50 at: My Biz.

• CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES SERVING ON AN EXCEPTED SERVICE VETERANS RECRUITMENT APPOINTMENT (VRA). If you are eligible in this category, you are required to submit an SF-50 showing current Army Excepted Service VRA appointment (block 24 must be a "2" AND block 34 must be a"2.").

• CIVILIAN ARMY EMPLOYEES SERVING ON AN EXCEPTED SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEFENSE CIVILIAN INTELLIGENCE PERSONNEL SYSTEM (DCIPS). This category includes those who have personal career or career-conditional status earned with prior employment in the Competitive Service.  If you are eligible in this category, you may be required to submit two SF-50s: (1) an SF-50 showing current Army DCIPS employment, and, if applicable, (2) an SF-50 showing career/ career-conditional employment in the Competitive Service (block 24 of your SF-50 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1").

• CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES SERVING ON A TEMPORARY OR TERM APPOINTMENT. This category ONLY includes those who have personal career or career-conditional status, earned with prior employment in the Competitive Service. If you are eligible in this category, you are required to submit two SF-50s: (1) an SF-50 showing current Army employment, and (2) an SF-50 showing career/career-conditional employment in the Competitive Service (block 24 of your SF-50 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a"1").

Note: The "current Army employee" category does not include permanent Army National Guard employees in the competitive service.

Supporting documentation: You are required to submit the documents which prove you are a current Department of the Army employee in one of the categories described above. To obtain a copy of SF-50s from employment with the Department of Defense, go to My Biz.

Are you a current Army civilian employee?
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4. Current Permanent Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)

Do you meet the following?

Current Permanent Federal Civilian if you currently work on a permanent competitive service civilian appointment in any of the following Department of Defense (DOD) Agencies:

• U.S. Navy

• U.S. Marine Corps

• Department of the Air Force

•Other Department of Defense Agency (e.g., WHS, DLA, DFAS, DISA, DODDS, Defense Commissary, etc.)

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").

Notes:
*Current Permanent Federal Civilians: You can check your competitive service status by viewing your latest Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50, Block 34, Position Occupied. If eligible, you will see 1-Competitive Service in this block.

*If you are currently working on a temporary or term appointment, or you are serving on active duty in the U.S. military service in any of the above agencies, 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

*DOD employees can access their SF-50 at: My Biz
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5. Domestic Defense Industrial Base Facilities and Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce Flexibilities

Are you eligible under this authority for appointment?

Current or former Domestic Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Facilities and Major Range and Test Facilities Base (MTRFB) employee; and Who currently are or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain DIB or MTRFB.

Current DIB or MTRFB 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 Domestic Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Facilities and Major Range and Test Facilities Base (MTRFB) 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 DIB or MTRFB 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 Domestic Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Facilities and Major Range and Test Facilities Base (MTRFB) 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 DIB or MTRFB eligibility for a competitive service appointment AND performance rating showing you have performed at an acceptable level.
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6. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan

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.

ICTAP applicants must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well-qualified is defined as meeting all of the minimum qualification standards and eligibility requirements as well as possessing skills that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position.

*Note: Under competitive delegated examining, an ICTAP eligible will be considered well-qualified if they attain an eligibility rating of 90 or higher, not including points for veterans' preference.

Supporting documentation: Federal employees seeking ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.704, by submitting a copy of the following documents with your completed application: A copy of your agency notice; AND,

A copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal; AND,

A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.  Additional information regarding ICTAP eligibility can be found in the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition.  For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
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7. Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473

You are eligible for this hiring category if you:

• Are a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty for more than 180 days other than for training.
   - Limited to the geographic area of the service member's duty location. This includes the surrounding area which people reasonably can be expected to travel daily to and from work; OR

• Are a spouse of a 100 percent disabled service member injured while on active duty; OR

• Are the un-remarried widow or widower of a service member who was killed while performing active duty.

Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your eligibility for E.O. 13473 which may include:

• the service member's permanent change of station orders, a statement from the service member's unit with the specific duty location to which the member is assigned, reassigned, or transferred or other document which supports the service member's assignment within the geographical location of the vacancy;

• verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage);

• verification of the member's 100 percent disability; and/or

• verification of the member's death while on active duty.

Additionally, you may need to submit a Standard Form-15 (SF-15), an Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference, and applicable supporting documents as noted on the form.

To obtain a copy of SF-15, go to http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf.

Are you eligible to apply as a Military Spouse under Executive Order 13473?
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8. Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI)

This category includes individuals:

• who have been continuously serving in a NAF or Army Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES) position without time limitation for at least one year OR
• who have been involuntarily separated from such an appointment without personal cause within the preceding year.

Supporting documentation: You must provide acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility by submitting copy(ies) of applicable personnel actions verifying the above criteria with your application.  Additional information about the NAFI Interchange Agreement may be found here.

Are you eligible under a NAFI Interchange Agreement?
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9. Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer

This category includes competitive service, career or career-conditional employees of federal agencies other than the Department of Defense (e.g., Dept of Labor, VA). 

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").

*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.

Are you applying to transfer from a federal agency other than the DoD?
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10. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Interchange Agreement Eligible

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).
 
Under Civil Service Rule 6.7 (5 CFR 6.7), OPM and an agency having an established merit system in the excepted service may enter into an agreement prescribing conditions under which employees may be moved from the agency's system to the competitive service. OPM has agreements with:
 
Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) employees of the Department of Defense. Agreement effective 9/20/91; extended indefinitely. Also see the paragraph on the portability of benefits for nonappropriated fund employees.

The Department of Defense (The Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System) Agreement. Covers movement of DCIPS GG and GS or equivalent employees into and from positions that are in and among the DoD Components of the Agreement (Defense Security Service (DSS), the National Reconnaissance Office, the Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudication Facility (DoD CAF), the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the Military Departments (Army, Navy (which includes Marine Corps), and Air Force)). Agreement effective 2/13/19; expires 12/31/2023.
 
Tennessee Valley Authority.
Covers employees in salary policy positions (trades and labor positions are not covered). Agreement effective 10/16/57; extended indefinitely.
 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Agreement effective 10/1/75; extended indefinitely.
 
Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Covers employees who occupy medical or medical-related positions and were appointed under 38 U.S.C. 7401(1) or (3) [formerly 38 U.S.C. 4104(1) and (3)]. Agreements effective 10/31/79 and 5/12/87; extended indefinitely.
 
Federal Aviation Administration. Agreement effective 11/6/97; expires 3/31/22.
 
Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration. Agreement effective 01/31/13; expires 01/31/23.
 
Corporation for National and Community Service. Agreement effective 03/04/13; expires 03/05/22. This agreement includes employees assigned to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
 
Supporting documentation: You must provide acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility by submitting copy(ies) of applicable personnel actions verifying the above criteria with your application.

Are you eligible under an OPM Interchange Agreement?
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11. People with Disabilities, Schedule A

You are eligible for this appointing authority if you are an individual:
  • with an intellectual disability; OR
  • a severe physical disability; OR
  • a psychiatric impairment; AND
  • you have acceptable proof of the disability.
Supporting Documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility (e.g., records, statements, or other appropriate information) issued by:
  • a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional duly certified by a State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory, to practice medicine); or,
  • a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (State or private); or,
  • a Federal agency, State agency, or an agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits.
**Note: An agency may make permanent or time-limited appointments under this appointing authority.

For more information please go to OPM's website on Federal Employment of People with Disabilities.

Are you eligible under a Schedule A, Persons with Disability appointment?
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12. I am a military spouse who is currently married to my active duty sponsor. I am exercising my preference eligibility for positions within the local commuting area of my sponsor's current duty station.  I certify that I have not accepted nor declined a permanent, continuing Federal or non-appropriated fund position in the local commuting area of our current duty location. 

NOTE 1:  Military spouses are eligible for one permanent noncompetitive appointment using their preference eligibility for the duration of the active duty sponsor's assignment to a permanent duty station, as long as the military spouse has not declined or accepted a permanent Federal or non-appropriated fund position in the commuting area of the sponsor's current duty location.  If you certify that you have not used your preference at your sponsor's current duty location and it is discovered to be untrue, you may be subject to loss of MSP and possible disciplinary action. 

NOTE 2:  You must include a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. 

Supporting Documentation:  You must provide a signed Military Spouse PPP Self-certification Checklist, PCS orders/verification of duty location assignment, a copy of marriage certificate or license and documents as listed on the Military Spouse PPP Self-certification Checklist. .

Are you a Priority Placement Program DoD Military Spouse Preference Eligible?
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13. Re-employed Annuitant

An annuitant under either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) may be reemployed in any position for which they are qualified. Reemployed annuitants may be hired on either a time-limited or a permanent position. There is no special appointment authority for a reemployed annuitant. However, PPP requisitions must stay open indefinitely when a reemployed annuitant is placed on a permanent appointment.

When an annuitant is hired within 90 days after retirement to a position in the same organization and in a similar position, the authorized official shall ensure that retention options were offered prior to the employee's retirement. Annuitants who previously accepted a Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay (VSIP)may not be reemployed within 12 months after separation (unless waived by the Secretary of Defense or his designee) or within 5 years following separation unless the VSIP is repaid or the Secretary of Defense has approved a waiver based on finding the individual is the only qualified applicant for the position.

Title 5 USC, Section 9902(h) provides that reemployed annuitants shall continue to receive full annuity and salary upon reemployment. Reemployed annuitants serve at the will of the appointing officer. Annuitants should be hired to meet critical mission needs. Situations in which it may be appropriate to reemploy an annuitant include but are not limited to: 
  • A hard-to-fill position as evidenced by historically high turnover, a severe shortage of candidates or other significant recruiting difficulty.
  • A position identified as critical to the accomplishment of the organization's mission or to complete a specific project or initiative.
  • An annuitant who has unique or specialized skills, or unusual qualifications not generally available.
  • An appointment is for not more than 2087 hours (e.g., one year full time or two years part time) to mentor less experienced employees and/or to provide continuity during critical organizational transitions.
Department of the Army (DA) Policy: Unless further delegated, the selection of annuitants for DA positions must be approved by the Secretary of the Army or Heads of DA Field Activities.

Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility, by submitting a copy of your retirement Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50 with your completed application.

Benefits Information: In accordance with section 9902(h) of title 5, United States Code, annuitants reemployed in the Department of Defense shall receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They shall not be eligible for retirement contributions, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, or a supplemental or re-determined annuity for the reemployed period. Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e., retired under section 8336(d)(1) or 8414(b)(1)(A) of title 5, United Stated Code) appointed to the Department of Defense may elect to be subject to retirement provisions of the new appointment as appropriate. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300)

Are you a reemployed annuitant eligible?
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14. Reinstatement

You are eligible for this hiring category if you:
  • Are a former Federal employee who previously attained career status (identified as Tenure I (block 24) and Competitive Service (block 34) of your last SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action); OR
  • Are a former Federal employee with veterans' preference who previously attained career-conditional status (identified as Tenure II (block 24) and Competitive Service (block 34) of your last SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action); OR
  • Are a former Federal career-conditional employee (identified as Tenure II (block 24) and Competitive Service (block 34) of your last SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action) without veterans' preference who separated from Government service within the past three years.
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50 with your completed application.

Are you eligible for Reinstatement?
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Preferences
1. Would you accept a term appointment? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in a Public Affairs Specialist position with Department of the Army. Your resume and the responses you provide to this assessment questionnaire will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. Your responses are subject to verification. Please review your responses for accuracy before you submit your application. (limit characters)
1. 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-12 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service.
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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)
2. Develop content and maintain websites and social media sites for an organization and associated subordinate organizations.
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3. Serve as the web content manager for an organization that includes overseeing content on multiple web pages using platforms to maximize content; and ensure functionality for public website and internal public affairs intranet.
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4. Develop digital products, including the production, editing and finishing of short videos and longer feature videos; and understanding of the software required to do the same. (limit characters)
5. Utilize Capture Imagery via still and video cameras. (limit characters)
6. Manage and develop content for an official public website and social media site for an organization.
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7. Work hand-in-hand with senior levels of leadership throughout an organization to carry out a public affairs program.
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8. Develop new web pages as needed and ensures the content is appropriate for public distribution.
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9. Prepare and publishe special newsletters, general brochures, pamphlets, and handouts. (limit characters)
10. Create content and products that will be distributed and used to portray an organization in a transparent manner.
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11. Apply appropriate discretion when releasing information to the public with regards to sensitivities of highly visible ongoing projects.
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12. Serve as the primary point of contact for providing relevant information to the public through various media outlets.
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13. Support Public Affairs operations by preparing speeches, talking points, and presentations for senior levels of leadership and staff.
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14. Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy.
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