Internal Revenue Service Logo
Position Title
Public Affairs Specialist
Agency
Internal Revenue Service
Announcement Number
22-11583247M-TAS-1035-14 Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, August 8, 2022 to Friday, August 19, 2022
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. IRS CTAP Candidate - Are you a current displaced or surplus IRS employee and:
 
  • you are located either within or outside the local commuting area of this vacancy, AND
  • your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of this vacancy, AND
  • your position has the same or higher promotion potential of this vacancy, AND
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent?

If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES) AND a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal AND a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).

For more information, review Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP).
(limit characters)
3. Treasury CTAP Candidate - Are you a current displaced or surplus Department of Treasury (non-IRS) employee and:
 
  • you are located within the same local commuting area of this vacancy, AND
  • your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of this vacancy, AND
  • your position has the same or higher promotion potential of this vacancy, AND
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent?

If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of CTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES) AND a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal AND a copy of your latest SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).

For more information, review Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP).
(limit characters)
4. Current IRS Candidate - Are you a current permanent career or career-conditional, Competitive Service Internal Revenue Service employee?

If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit:
  • a copy of your most recent career or career-conditional SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent personnel action form which shows your current grade and competitive service status (The "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should be a "1" or "2")

If applying for a higher grade, it is recommended to also provide:
  • a copy of an SF-50, or equivalent, which clearly demonstrates you meet the 52-week time-in-grade requirements (e.g., Promotion with an effective date more than one (1) year old, Within Grade Increase at the highest grade held, SF-50, or equivalent, at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one (1) year old).
  
(limit characters)
5. Department of Treasury Candidate - Are you a current permanent career or career-conditional, Competitive Service Department of Treasury (excluding Internal Revenue Service e.g.,
Chief Counsel, Dept. of Mint, Fiscal Service) employee?
 
If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit:
  • a copy of your most recent career or career-conditional SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent personnel action form which shows your current grade and competitive service status (The "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should be a "1" or "2")

If applying for a higher grade, it is recommended to also provide:
  • a copy of an SF-50, or equivalent, which clearly demonstrates you meet the 52-week time-in-grade requirements (e.g., Promotion with an effective date more than one (1) year old, Within Grade Increase at the highest grade held, SF-50, or equivalent, at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one (1) year old).
 
(limit characters)
6. Transfer Candidate - Are you currently employed as a permanent career or career-conditional employee in the competitive service outside of the Department of Treasury?
 
If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit:
 
  • a copy of your most recent career or career-conditional SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent personnel action form which shows your current grade and competitive service status (The "position occupied" block on the SF-50 should show a "1" and your "tenure" block should be a "1" or "2")

If applying for a higher grade, it is recommended to also provide:
  • a copy of an SF-50, or equivalent, which clearly demonstrates you meet the 52-week time-in-grade requirements (e.g., Promotion with an effective date more than one (1) year old, Within Grade Increase at the highest grade held, SF-50, or equivalent, at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one (1) year old).
 
For more information, review USAJOBS Transfer sources.
 
(limit characters)
7. Reinstatement Candidate - Were you formerly employed as a federal civilian on a permanent competitive appointment but are not currently a permanent competitive federal employee?

If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit:
 
  • a copy of your most recent separation SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent personnel action form which MUST reflect:
    • career or career-conditional appointment type (Block 24 is Tenure 1 or 2), AND
    • competitive service type (Block 34 is Position Occupied 1), AND
  • a copy of an SF-50, or equivalent, that reflects your highest grade held on a permanent basis (if different than your most recent SF-50, or equivalent), AND
  • if applying for a higher grade, a copy of an SF-50, or equivalent, which clearly demonstrates you meet the 52-week time-in-grade requirements (e.g., Promotion with an effective date more than one (1) year old, Within Grade Increase at the highest grade held, SF-50, or equivalent, at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one (1) year old).
 
For more information, review USAJOBS Reinstatement resources and USAJOBS SF-50 resources.
 
(limit characters)
8. ICTAP Candidate - Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position and:
 
  • you are located within the same local commuting area of this vacancy, AND
  • your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of this vacancy, AND
  • your position has the same or higher promotion potential of this vacancy, AND
  • your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent?
If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of ICTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice AND a copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal, AND a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent personnel action form.
 
For more information, review Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP).
(limit characters)
9. Land Management Candidate -Are you a current or former temporary or term employee of a Land Management (LM) agency, i.e. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Reclamation employee?
 
If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit the following:

 Land Management Employee:
  •  a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing initial appointment under competitive procedures to the time-limited appointment for a total of more than 24 months without any break in service of two (2) or more years, AND
  • proof of acceptable performance ratings for each period of employment used to meet the 24-month requirement.
     
  • Former LM Employee - You must apply within two years of your last term or temporary job date of separation, provide the documents listed above AND a copy of your separation SF-50. Your most recent separation must be for reasons other than misconduct or performance.
 NOTE: If multiple periods of time-limited appointments exist, supporting SF-50s must be provided for each period of employment used to satisfy the 24-month requirement.
 
For more information, review USAJOBS Land Management resources.
(limit characters)
10. Military Spouse (EO 13832) Candidate - Are you the spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces -OR- the spouse of a retired/separated member of the Armed Forces with a disability rating of 100% from the Department of Veterans Affairs -OR- the un-married widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while on active duty status?

If you indicate "Yes" for this question, you MUST submit the following:
  • Verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage), AND
 
  • If based on member's Active Duty status: proof of active duty status, i.e. spouse's Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or Active Duty military orders, or official documentation from the Armed Forces branch that verifies spouse's active status.
  • If based on member's 100% disability: verification of the member's retirement or release/discharge from active duty AND verification of spouse's 100% service-connected disability (DD-214 and/or VA letter).
  • If based on member's death: verification of the member's active duty status at the time of death (DD-214) AND verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300).
    • You are not eligible if you were not married to the veteran at the time of death or have since remarried.
    • By selecting "Yes" below you are certifying that you were married to the veteran at the time of death and have not since remarried.

For more information, review FedsHireVets.gov.
 
(limit characters)
11. VEOA Candidate - Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions and you:
 
  •  served three (3) 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?
 
If you indicate "Yes" for this question, 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 your service which includes character of service.
 
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
 
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. (limit characters)
2. The following question is regarding your Selective Service status. If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, and are at least 18 years of age, civil service employment law (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must be registered with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. If you are required to register but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for appointment by executive agencies of the Federal Government (5 CFR 300.704). Visit http://www.sss.gov/ for additional information. (limit characters)
3. If you are a current Federal employee, by what agency and organization are you employed? (limit characters)
4. If you selected "Other", please enter the agency and organization. (limit characters)
5. If you are a Federal employee, under what type of appointment are you currently serving? (limit characters)
6. If you are a current Federal employee, what is your duty station? [City, State] (limit characters)
7. If you are, or ever were a Federal civilian employee, indicate the pay plan and grade level or pay band of the highest graded position you have ever held. For example: GS-05, IR-02, WG-04. (limit characters)
8. If you are, or ever were a Federal civilian employee, please provide your current or last pay plan, series, and grade level or pay band. For example: GS-0303-05, IR-0343-02, WG-5400-04. (limit 250 characters)
9. Are you a retiree receiving a Federal annuity, either military or civilian?

Note: If you are an annuitant, your salary or annuity may be reduced upon employment.
(limit characters)
10. Have you accepted a buyout from a Federal agency within the past 5 years? (limit characters)
11. Regarding the effectiveness of our recruitment strategies; how did you first hear about this job? (limit characters)
12. If you answered "Posting on a job board or search agent other than USAJOBS (Monster, CareerBuilder, Indeed, LinkUp, etc." please indicate the name of the job board or search agent other than USAJOBS you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Social Media posting (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, on-line job fairs, etc.)" please indicate the name of the Social Media platform you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Attended a recruitment event (Job/Career Fair, Open House, Meet & Greet, Meetup, etc.)" please indicate the name and state of the recruiting event.

If you answered "School/University announcement/career counselor" please indicate the name of the school/university of the announcement where you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Third party referral, such as diversity or community organization, or employment office (Federal, state or local)" please indicate the name of the third party referral and the state you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Newspaper (print/online)" please indicate the name of the newspaper and the state you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Radio" please indicate the name of the radio station and state you heard the advertisement.

If you answered "Transit/Bus Advertisement" please indicate the city and state you saw the advertisement.

If you answered "Banner Advertisement - Major News Websites" please indicate the website.

If you answered "Banner Advertisement - Movie Theater Websites" please indicate the website.

If you answered "Classified Advertisement Website (Craigslist, Angie's List, etc.)" please indicate the name of the website, city and state.

If you answered "Other" please specify.
(limit characters)
13. Employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must demonstrate the highest level of ethics and integrity. Former employees will be subject to a screening of their prior performance and conduct with the Service, and all other applicants may be subject to reference checks of prior employment. Your responses to the following questions will be verified; Applicants providing false information may be made ineligible and will be subject to debarment for future employment opportunities with the IRS.

Please select the response that best describes your current or prior employment with the IRS. If you never worked for the Internal Revenue Service, you must select the last response "Not applicable."
(limit characters)
14. Employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must demonstrate the highest level of ethics and integrity, and must be in compliance with all Federal Tax requirements. Applicants being considered for employment with the IRS will be subject to a tax check. You can "Get Your Tax Record" at http://www.irs.gov/ (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript) and check the status of your account, balance owed, payment history, make a payment, or review answers to tax questions. Applicants not in compliance will be determined unsuitable for employment with IRS. Your responses to the following questions will be verified; Applicants providing false information may be made ineligible and will be subject to debarment for future employment opportunities with the IRS.

Please select the response that best describes your compliance with all Federal Tax requirements. You will be subject to a tax check that will verify your response to this question.
(limit characters)
15. How many performance related awards, (including time off in lieu of monetary), or quality step increases have you received in the three years preceding the closing date of this announcement?

You may obtain a list of your most recent awards at https://persinfo.web.irs.gov/indexawd.htm.
(limit characters)
16. Please list the names of any performance related awards and/or quality step increases you have received in the three years preceding the closing date of this announcement and the dates (MMDDYYYY) of the awards. (For example: Performance Award, 02/02/2019).

You may obtain a list of your most recent awards at https://persinfo.web.irs.gov/indexawd.htm.
(limit characters)
17. Your annual performance appraisal and relevant awards are considered in the selection process.

Please indicate the option that best describes your most recent performance appraisal.
(limit characters)
18. Please enter the date of your most recent performance appraisal. (limit characters)
19. Please select the response that most accurately reflects your most recent performance appraisal or performance rating. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in applying for this position. Your responses to the following questions supplement the information provided in your resume. (limit characters)
1. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
GS-14 Level: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Experience with communication practices and techniques to be able to function as the technical authority, direct complex programs and develop communication materials designed to promote the mission, programs, goals, and objectives within the organization; Experience establishing and maintaining relationships to facilitate communications with counterparts; Experience applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to shape programs development and evaluating program effectiveness; Experience with development and dissemination of communication materials designed and in analyzing and developing recommendations from a wide array of conflicting and divergent information; Experience with writing and editing high-level reports requiring thorough knowledge of the AP Stylebook (i.e., Congressional testimony, executive briefings, and press releases); Experience with program management skills in leading high-profile projects and devising project strategies and communication plans; Experience working with various customers (such as IRS Publishing and outside contractors) on reviewing adherence to contract guidelines and contractor work performance; Experience presenting information on issues and/or other high-level information to Senior Management and Executives.


Which of the following is true about your specialized experience?
(limit characters)
2.
GS-14 TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Under merit promotion procedures, Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. Time is credited based on calendar time served in a grade, regardless of the number of days or hours worked. If you currently hold or have previously held a position at the same (or equivalent) or higher grade/level in the Federal government as of this announcement, you will meet the TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENTS.

Please select the response that best describes your time in grade.
(limit characters)
3. Which of the following best describes your level of responsibility on a team? (limit characters)
4. Which of the following describes your experience providing assistance to your co-workers?
(limit characters)
5. Which of the following interactions have you completed independently? (limit characters)
6. What is your experience communicating tax law information to an internal and/or external audience?
(limit characters)
7. Which of the following measurement or reporting methods have you used?
(limit characters)
8. Which of the following have you written? (limit characters)
9. Which of the following communication activities have you performed? (limit characters)
10. In my work environment, I have responsibility for: (limit characters)
11. Which best describes your experience managing workload? (limit characters)
12. What types of actions have you taken to resolve problems in achieving communication objectives? (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
13. To qualify for this position and receive full credit for your relevant experience you must list the month/year and number of hours worked for experience listed on your resume. Your resume must support your responses to the questions. Do you understand that failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified determination? (limit characters)
14. 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 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 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.
Failure to agree or respond to the statement below will disqualify you from further consideration for the position. Select the most appropriate response below.
(limit characters)