Agricultural Research Service Logo
Position Title
Public Affairs Specialist
Agency
Agricultural Research Service
Announcement Number
ARS-M22Y-11333908-LF Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, December 23, 2021 to Thursday, December 30, 2021
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 the position(s) under this announcement.

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.
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1.
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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2. 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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3. Are you a current USDA employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment? (limit characters)
4. Are you a USDA employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment AND you have held or currently hold a position on a permanent basis in the competitive service with the same or higher promotion potential of the position being advertised? (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-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)
2. Participate with representatives and higher-level officials to formulate tactics to inform and educate general and specialized' audiences about policies, programs, and goals.
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3. Handle media inquiries, vetting news outlets, coaching employees and providing recommendations on how to handle various situations.
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4. Achieve clarity of presentation after carefully examining alternative methods of communicating positions as they may relate to public controversy.
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5. Advise management or staff on public and media reactions to controversial and complex topics or issues that may be examined during press conferences, questions and answers following speeches, on TV talk show formats, etc.
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6. I have experience preparing the following (Select all that apply): (limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
7. Provide professional guidance on platform speaking.
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8. Interview scientists, subject matter specialists and/or administrators to obtain information needed for reporting on organization activities.
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9. Determine the need for information materials to support programs and provides materials to explain the scope of research.
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10. Design appropriate vehicles to communicate organization programs and policies to meet the needs of diverse audiences.
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11. Provide leadership in coordinating major projects and long-term campaigns involving topics of sensitive or controversial nature.
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12. Initiate and develop liaison with representatives of newspapers, magazines and other news media to assess media needs in understanding and conveying information to the public.
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13. Establish contacts with leaders of national scientific and professional organizations.
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14. Gather all details concerning presentations, lectures and accompanying events.
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15. 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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