USA Staffing

Position Title: Public Affairs Specialist, GS-1035-13 DE
Agency: National Science Foundation
Announcement Number: LPA-23-11902040 Opens in new window
Open Period: Tuesday, April 25, 2023 to Tuesday, May 9, 2023

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 NSF employee?

A. Yes

B. No

3.
Have you been laid off or received a letter stating that you will be laid off from the National Science Foundation? If so, you may be entitled to selection priority under the under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP). You must submit the following documents with your application:

copy of your current (or last) performance rating of record; and,
proof of CTAP eligibility

Note: Your proof of eligibility MUST show the position, grade level and duty location of the position from which you were (or will be) separated and your full performance level or career ladder. To ensure you fulfil this requirement, submit an SF-50 (Notification of a Personnel Action) that contains this information along with your proof of CTAP eligibility. Visit OPM's CTAP page for more information on eligibility and required documentation.

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible for CTAP? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.

A. Yes

B. No

4. Have you been laid off or received a letter stating that you will be laid off from federal employment, or have your disability payments from your previous federal employment stopped? If so, you may be entitled to selection priority under the under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP). You must submit the following documents with your application:

copy of your current (or last) performance rating of record; and,
proof of ICTAP eligibility or proof of CTAP eligibility

Note: Your proof of eligibility MUST show the position, grade level and duty location of the position from which you were (or will be) separated and your full performance level or career ladder. To ensure you fulfil this requirement, submit an SF-50 (Notification of a Personnel Action) that contains this information along with your proof of ICTAP or CTAP eligibility. Visit OPM's ICTAP or CTAP page for more information on eligibility and required documentation.

Based on the above and the referenced web pages, are you eligible for ICTAP or CTAP? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes.

A. Yes

B. No

5. Are you now, or have you been in the last 5 years, a political appointee?

A. Yes

B. No

6. Reasonable Accommodations for taking the online assessments are provided on a case-by-case basis only to qualified individuals with a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

Do you have a disability (physical or mental) that you believe will interfere with completing the online assessments and require a Reasonable Accommodation?

A. Yes

B. No

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

1. I possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in federal service designing, planning and managing communication and outreach activities for an organization. Examples of specialized experience includes: researching and writing articles, fact sheets, presentations and other materials for internal and external audiences; planning and implementing communication and outreach programs; establishing and maintaining relationships with public affairs stakeholders, including those from other government organizations, academia, the press and news media; and developing and implementing strategic communications plans for an organization

A. Yes

B. No

2. Do you have experience writing and editing communication products about complex issues/topics for internal and external audiences? Be prepared to provide examples of these products if you are called for an interview.

A. Yes

B. No

3. Which of the following outreach products have you produced?

A. Research Articles

B. Biographies

C. Fact Sheets

D. Talking Points

E. Presentations

F. Web Content

G. Educational Materials

H. Internal Communication Products

I. Other products on major organizational programs and initiatives

J. None of the above

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

4. Do you have experience developing strategic communications plans and strategies to engage with internal and external audiences?

A. Yes

B. No

5. Indicate which of the following you have experience establishing and maintaining relationships with. Select all that apply.

A. Government agency counter-parts

B. News Media

C. Members of Congress and/or Congressional Staff

D. Members of Academia

E. Internal agency/organization leadership

F. The general public.

G. None of the above.

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

6. Do you have experience designing and evaluating internal and external affairs programs/initiatives?

A. Yes

B. No

7. Do you have experience using multimedia platforms to produce and maintain internal and external communications products?

A. Yes

B. No

8. Identify the following activities that you have performed as a regular and recurring part of your job. Select all that apply.

A. I have planned and developed internal and external campaigns to promote the activities of my organization.

B. I have planned and developed internal and external campaigns to promote the accomplishments of my organization.

C. I have planned and developed internal and external outreach activities for my organization.

D. I have planned and developed internal and external awareness campaigns for my organization.

E. I have proactively created social media campaigns for my organization.

F. I do not have this type of experience.

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

9. Do you have experience evaluating the outcomes of projects, programs and/or plans to ensure achievement of objectives?

A. Yes

B. No

10. Indicate your experience related to writing and editing documents. Select all that apply

A. I have written products in plain language for internal audiences.

B. I have written products in AP style for internal audiences.

C. I have written products in plain language for external audiences.

D. I have written products in AP style for external audiences.

E. I have written and edited products for my supervisor's review.

F. I do not have this type of experience.

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

11. Do you have experience representing an organization as a spokesperson? Be prepared to provide an example if you are called in for an interview.

A. Yes

B. No

12. Which of the following describes the tasks you performed while leading a diverse team, which may include writers, graphic artists, web specialists and audio-visual specialists, to carry out a communications project under deadline?

A. I have overseen all aspects of preparing and disseminating a high-quality communications project, including scheduling, coordinating and managing resources, and monitoring workload and products.

B. I have tracked and managed multiple projects through all stages while meeting deadlines and maintaining quality, including organizing work, setting priorities, and determining resource requirements.

C. I have identified and corrected weaknesses in project execution or plan and made sound decisions to generate alternatives and commit to action to accomplish project goals and mitigate risk.

D. I have adapted a project or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions or unexpected obstacles.

E. I have monitored progress and assessed products for quality assurance and control.

F. I have investigated, evaluated and selected tools and methods for improving productivity.

G. I have encouraged and facilitated cooperation within a group to accomplish project goals as a team.

H. None of the above.

13. Which of the following describes your experience editing communications products?

A. I have edited speeches.

B. I have edited reports.

C. I have edited position papers.

D. I have edited policy briefs.

E. I have edited executive level correspondence.

F. I have edited responses to Congressional inquiries

G. I have edited internal communication products.

H. I do not have this type of experience.

For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below.

14. Indicate your highest level of experience planning and directing internal and external information activities for an organization.

A. I have no experience in performing this work behavior, but I am willing to learn.

B. I have limited experience in performing this work behavior. I have had exposure to this work behavior but would require additional guidance, instruction, or experience to perform it at a proficient level.

C. I have experience performing this work behavior across routine or predictable situations with minimal supervision or guidance.

D. I have performed this work behavior independently across a wide range of situations. I have assisted others in carrying out this work behavior. I seek guidance in carrying out this work behavior only in unusually complex situations.

E. I am considered an expert in carrying out this work behavior. I advise and instruct others in carrying out this work behavior on a regular basis. I am consulted by my colleagues and/or supervisors to carry out this work behavior in unusually complex situations.

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