USA Staffing

1. Specialized experience for the GS-14 is defined as one year of experience at the GS-13 level, or equivalent that is directly related to the position and which has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position includes:

- Acting as an agency spokesperson; AND
- Developing communications plans, talking points, speeches, press releases, and/or media advisories; AND
- Cultivating positive relationships with agency senior executives, veteran services organizations or other key industry stakeholders, and national and local media.

Select the response that describes your experience as it relates to the specialized experience statement.

A. I have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 as described above.

B. I do not meet the specialized experience requirement.

Make sure examples of this experience are clearly documented in your resume. Please give the dates/resume reference when you gained this experience so it may be found to ensure you receive proper credit.

2. Which of the following describes your experience of public affairs and media relations methods, principles, processes and techniques? (please select all that apply).

A. I have experience in planning and executing public affairs strategy in order to translate and communicate key messages to a variety of audiences including the general public, the media, and public and private organizations.

B. I have been responsible for researching and writing news releases and advisories, fact sheets, key messages, and other press materials disseminated to the media.

C. I have developed, coordinated, and ensured that appropriate responses to media inquiries were provided in a timely, accurate, and consistent manner.

D. I have served as a spokesperson, in addition to coordinating, arranging and assisting subject matter experts and senior spokespersons on media interviews.

E. I have planned and conducted media training to assist subject matter experts in translating complex information that can be readily understood by the media and general public.

F. I have designed procedures and worked on crisis and risk communications.

G. I have planned, coordinated and/or arranged press conferences, media briefings, and other press events.

H. I have worked on the planning, development and coordination of a national media communications and marketing plan to promote campaigns, activities, or products to specific or diverse audiences.

I. I have worked on marketing or communications plans for a federal or state sponsored pre-paid debit card or other electronic disbursement product.

J. I have assigned, reviewed and overseen work assignments produced by project staff.

K. I have utilized new media technologies, including social media tools for the purposes of media or educational outreach.

L. None of the above.

3. Please select the types of media/stakeholder groups that you deal with on a regular and recurring basis: (please select all that apply).

A. National News Media

B. White House Staff

C. Congressional Members/Staffs

D. State and Local governments

E. Private sector for profit and/or non - profit groups

F. Federal Agencies

G. None of the above.

4. Which of the following describes your highest level of experience in persuading or influencing others to adopt your recommendations or point of view?

A. I have presented the results of analyses in a clear and persuasive manner to peers and/or co-workers within my immediate organization.

B. I have presented the results of analyses in a clear and persuasive manner to higher level officials within my organization.

C. I have presented the results of analyses, including highly technical information, in a clear and persuasive manner to higher level officials across organizational lines or equivalent.

D. I have presented the results of analyses, including highly technical information, in a clear and persuasive manner to higher level officials in other public and or private organizations.

E. None of the above.

5. Indicate your experience maintaining, promoting, and forging effective relationships with program stakeholders.

A. I have established effective working relationships with program stakeholders.

B. I have worked on teams to promote establishing effective working relationships with program stakeholders.

C. I have led efforts to promote establishing effective working relationships with program stakeholders.

D. I have developed programs to promote establishing effective working relationships with program stakeholders.

E. I have not performed any of the above tasks.

6. I have overseen or made formal presentations in the following settings:

A. News conferences

B. Media interviews

C. Trade or industry groups

D. Advisory groups

E. Public meetings

F. Focus groups

G. Professional meetings or conferences

H. Briefings for Congressional and/or Executive Branch Officials

I. Briefings for Senior Management and Executives

J. Strategic Planning Meetings, Program and Project Management Staff

K. None of the above

7. Please select all of the following with which you have established and maintained effective working relationships.

A. Media outlets

B. Financial/Trade organizations

C. Businesses (Private Sector for profit) and/or non-profit organizations

D. National organizations

E. Federal, State and local government officials/organizations

F. Community group representatives

G. None of the above

8. This position requires handling a heavy volume of writing assignments under tight deadline pressures. Select from the list below the types of written communication you have successfully prepared under such deadlines.

A. New releases

B. Speeches/Testimony

C. Talking points

D. Questions and answers

E. Briefings and Materials

F. Informational materials concerning policies

G. Internal documents and memorandum

H. None of the above

9. Select the one statement that most accurately describes your experience preparing and/or coordinating speeches, presentations, and written and electronic information materials for general and targeted audiences.

A. I do not have experience in performing this task.

B. I have experience performing this task but have not yet performed it on the job. (

C. I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.

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 have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist or train them in doing this task.

10. Please choose the statement that best describes your experience communicating in writing.

A. I have developed and compiled written documents for a wide variety of audiences that require moderate editing prior to distribution.

B. I have consistently generated detailed documents that require little editing prior to distribution.

C. I have generated detailed documents that require no editing and are of a quality suitable for review by senior executives.

D. None of the above.

11. This position requires preparation of a wide variety of written materials to present programs, policies and activities and encourage their acceptance. From the following list, select all the responses that reflect materials you have developed on a recurring basis, while ensuring the quality and consistency of all materials delivered by executive management and staff members to a wide variety of audiences. Check all that apply.

A. Pamphlets, brochures, fact sheets, magazine articles, trade materials, newsletters

B. Content management sites

C. New or social media content such as blogposts, LinkedIn articles, Facebook posts, and Tweets

D. Event summary

E. Speeches/talking points delivered by management

F. Briefing memos

G. Presentations and visuals for targeted audiences

H. Press releases and announcements

I. None of the above

12. From the following list, select those activities that represent your experience solving problems:

A. Resolved problems under close supervision

B. Resolved problems independently

C. Worked closely with individuals and groups to identify issues, analyze alternatives, and negotiate differences

D. Combined pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions

E. Facilitated the resolution of conflicting interests among parties whose cooperation was needed in order to meet objectives

F. Prepared analytical documents such as decision memos that identified policy or process issues and offer multiple options for resolution

G. Applied general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense

H. Reviewed and recommended improvements in program policies, procedures, legislation, or other complex documents

I. Participated on teams assigned the task of brainstorming alternative solutions to previously identified issues and evaluating the effectiveness of those alternatives

J. None of the above

13. Choose the statement that best describes your experience setting priorities, and planning and organizing work.

A. I have experience determining and assessing my work responsibilities, prioritizing as needed, to meet deadlines that I establish.

B. I have experience prioritizing my work to meet the deadlines established by my supervisor.

C. I have experience processing prioritized work within established deadlines as determined by my supervisor.

D. None of the above.

14. From the following list, please choose all of the tasks that you have performed:

A. Managed competing assignments

B. Set milestones and deadlines for assignments

C. Reacted effectively to unforeseen events or delays

D. Rearranged priorities and work assignments based on the actions of others

E. Briefed staff and management on status of assignments

F. Provided guidance, direction, or instruction to individuals

G. None of the above

15. Choose the statement that best describes your experience building support for ideas with key stakeholders inside and outside of an organization.

A. I have no experience performing this task.

B. I have had experience building support for ideas and initiatives with key stakeholders inside and outside the organization gained by seeking support for ideas or initiatives under close guidance.

C. I have sought support for ideas and initiatives from key internal and external stakeholders with the result that these ideas/initiatives have been included in major recommendations made by others.

D. I have analyzed the pros and cons of key ideas/initiatives and expressed these options for key internal and external stakeholders with the result that the ideas/initiatives were successfully implemented.

Terms & Conditions

Your Session is About to Expire!