USA Staffing

Position Title: PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission
Announcement Number: 21-DE-1109428-DMQ Opens in new window
Open Period: Thursday, May 13, 2021 to Thursday, May 27, 2021

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans' Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

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.

A. Yes

B. No

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; 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.

A. Yes

B. No

4. Have you served on a Schedule C appointment or as a political appointee anytime within the last 5 years?

A. Yes

B. No

5. Are you a current SEC employee?

A. Yes

B. No

6. Have you received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) in the last 5 years? If so, you will need to repay the entire amount of the VSIP to the agency from which you separated as a condition of reemployment.

A. Yes

B. No

1. From the options below, please indicate the choice that BEST describes your situation:

A. I am an external candidate and I certify that I have read and understand that should I be selected for the position, the resume and application materials I have submitted will be used to determine salary. I also understand that I will not be permitted to provide an updated resume to OHR after the application period has closed.

B. I am a current SEC employee and I certify that I have read and understand that should I be selected for this position and it results in a promotion, the standard percentage increase will be applied (i.e., 6% for non-supervisory and 8% for supervisory positions) to determine my salary. I also understand that should I be selected for this position and it results in lateral movement (i.e. no change in grade) I will maintain my current salary.

2. How did you hear about this position?

3. If you selected "Other" above, please let us know how you heard about this position.

Thank you for your interest in the Public Affairs Specialist position with United States Securities and Exchange Commission. We will evaluate your resume and your responses to this Assessment Questionnaire 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 this questionnaire.

1. From the descriptions below, select the response that best describes the experience you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform as a Public Affairs Specialist, SK-1035-13.

A. I possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS/SK-12 level: (1) Conducting public engagement, media coordination, and employee communications, and applying strategies and tools such as print, broadcast and digital media, social media, visual design, live, virtual or recorded events, and web content management; (2) managing a portfolio of media relations and communication projects that convey complex information about a financial regulatory agency to the press, public, and staff; (3) developing and executing all aspects of press coverage including education kits, briefings, press releases, brochures and other information collateral; (4) advising management on matters pertaining to public information to ensure compliance with information security, Freedom of Information and Privacy Act requirements, and policies governing the clearance and release of public information; and (5) monitoring, analyzing and enhancing the performance of communication activities.

B. I do not possess the specialized experience as described above.

The following questions assess your qualifications. Please select the best answer (s) that describe(s) your experience.

2. Please select the response(s) that describe the method(s) of communication with which you have experience. (Please select all that apply):

A. Conducting press briefings

B. Preparing media kits

C. Issuing press releases or public statements

D. Social media

E. Web content publishing

F. Visual information, i.e. video, photo, graphics

G. Mass emails

H. Organizing large events, town halls, training, briefings, seminars, meetings and/or conferences

I. None of the above

3. Please select the response(s) that describe your experience applying public relations and communication principles, methods, practices and techniques (Please select all that apply).

A. I have gathered, analyzed, and developed requirements for press, marketing, and communication campaigns.

B. I have designed and executed surveys, interviews, and other feedback mechanisms, analyzed the data, and monitored effectiveness of public and media relations campaign activities.

C. I have created communication performance dashboards, briefings, and reports for senior level management.

D. I have employed project management principles and methods to develop and execute multiple press and communication initiatives.

E. I have used collaboration technologies (e.g. SharePoint, etc.) to share information, store documents, and organize project activities.

F. None of the above.

4. Please select the response(s) that best describe your experience identifying risks and making recommendations to address communications issues (Please select all that apply):

A. I have autonomously recognized and proposed solutions to address potential issues that could negatively impact the reputation of an organization.

B. I have substantively participated in meetings with senior management and a variety of stakeholders to discuss new ideas, approaches, or process improvements to attain organizational goals.

C. I have effectively addressed situations in which frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events arose that caused shifts in priorities, timetables or work assignments.

D. I have made recommendations to senior management that apply best practices or innovative solutions for communicating complex rulemaking, regulatory information, and financial markets activities to the public, media, and staff.

E. None of the above.

5. Please select the response that best describes your experience synthesizing information to assess and prioritize press and communication activities in order to convey information about financial market regulatory requirement and rulemaking actions.

A. I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.

B. I have had education or training in performing the task, but have not yet performed it on the job.

C. I have performed this task on the job, with close supervision from a manager or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedure.

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 and others regularly consult me to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.

6. I have developed and edited external and/or internal communications to ensure the message tone and content comply with agency policies governing the clearance and release of information to the public.

A. Yes

B. No

7. I have provided advice to management and staff about the rules and procedures governing interactions with the media.

A. Yes

B. No

8. Please select the response(s) that best describes your experience developing and executing comprehensive public relations plans (Please select all that apply):

A. I have coached or prepared presenters and edited briefings, speeches and/or presentations for a variety of audiences.

B. I have worked closely with internal clients, technical, and support staff to provide direction on the most appropriate communication processes, tools, and software based on the nature of information or content being presented and the intended audience.

C. I have identified and used the most current broadcast, digital and virtual technologies, artistic methods, AV, lighting, photography and video capabilities to produce high quality messaging.

D. I have frequently engaged organizations and senior management to identify communication issues and opportunities, and develop and implement plans to address them.

E. None of the above.

9. Please select the response that best describes your experience collaborating with others to manage the coordination of information products, working groups, tasks and projects.

A. I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.

B. I have had education or training in performing the task, but have not yet performed it on the job.

C. I have performed this task on the job, with close supervision from a manager or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedure.

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 and others regularly consult me to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.

10. Please select the response that best describes your proficiency and experience with using Macs, Keynote, MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), and software for project management, press contact management, and/or media intelligence:

A. I have not had education, training or experience in using these.

B. I have had education or training in using these, but have not yet applied them on the job.

C. I have used these on the job, with assistance from a manager or senior employee, to ensure compliance with proper procedure.

D. I have used these as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without assistance from a supervisor or senior employee.

E. I am considered an expert in using these. I have trained others to use these and I am regularly consulted because of my expertise. .

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