- Position Title
- Public Affairs Specialist
- Agency
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Announcement Number
- R3-23-12036650-AMS-DE Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, July 10, 2023 to Friday, July 21, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
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.
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.
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.
• 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.
4.
Are you a U.S. citizen or national?
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
Minimum Qualifications GS-13
For each question, choose the response that best describes your experience and training. Mark only one response for each question. Please note that your answers will be verified against the information you provided in your resume or application and information provided by your references.
1.
Choose the response that best describes your qualifications for the GS-13 grade level.
Knowledge of communication principles, methods, practices,and techniques in order to function as a communications authority for awide variety of complex, sensitive, and highly visible Service activities andinitiatives and to develop and disseminate written and oral information to the news media, partners, stakeholders, Congress, NGOs, and the generalpublic.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
2.
Develop creative and innovative ways to draw media attention to complex natural resource conservation issues through the use of special events, news conferences and other media opportunities.
3.
Establish and maintain working relationships with news media representatives, including communications professionals associated with non-government organizations and other issue stakeholders.
4.
Coordinate print and broadcast media interviews with staff members, and oversee arrangements with the media involving agency activities.
5.
Develop and maintain contacts with reporters, editors, columnists, editorial writers, legislative audiences, professional groups, government relations professionals and constituent groups representing constituents including hunters, anglers, birders, business interests, urban planning, etc.
Knowledge of conservation issues, Federal wildlife lawand regulations,and natural resource and wildlife management topics in order to conveyin layman's terms, complex technical information in a clear, accurate,interesting, and engaging manner that captures the attention and meetsthe needs of the news media and the public.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
6.
Research scientific and/or policy information concerning natural resource conservation issues from multiple sources, verifies accuracy, and synthesizes for use in communications materials.
7.
Engage audiences on natural resource conservation issues using creative storytelling and/or compelling narratives.
8.
Apply professional communication and management skills to problem solving in order to enhance or improve a conservation or environmental program's mission accomplishment.
Ability to work under pressure and short deadlines and to provide coordinated responses (on and off record) to communication demands
often times to audiences with opposing points of view or erroneousunderstanding of agency positions to achieve a more balanced perspectiveamong these publics.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
9.
Serve as a spokesperson in a fast-paced media environment for print, broadcast and Web-based media on often sensitive or controversial issues of significance.
10.
Respond to inquiries and manage communications concerning breaking news under tight deadlines, and works on a regular basis with national, regional and local media outlets to pitch stories.
Writing ability and skill in order to author news releases, publicservice announcements, presentations, feature articles, opinion pieces,speeches, and web-based multimedia products designed to convey complexinformation in a clear, accurate, interesting, and engaging manner to publicswith varying levels of comprehension of agency programs and policies, oropposition or indifference to the agency's program objectives.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
11.
Develop written materials (e.g., news releases, media bulletins, scripts, feature articles, fact sheet or other written material) to concisely convey information on natural resource conservation or management issues to various audiences.
12.
Write speeches, talking points, briefing papers, opinion pieces, news releases and other communications for high ranking officials/management on conservation or national resources issues
Knowledge of and skill in developing, planning, andexecuting communication plans and outreach strategies for thedissemination of information for a wide variety of target audiences,including members of Congress, senior officials,officials of state and local government, non-government organizations, and a culturally diversepublic to improve public understanding ofwildlife issues.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
13.
Coordinate the development and implementation of communications efforts involving multiple internal and external partners, ensuring alignment with strategic communications goals and messages.
14.
Synthesize large amounts of complex information regarding fish and wildlife conservation or management to develop workable recommendations for the communication of topics of the greatest interest to the media, public or other entities.
Minimum Qualifications GS-12
For each question, choose the response that best describes your experience and training. Mark only one response for each question. Please note that your answers will be verified against the information you provided in your resume or application and information provided by your references.
15.
Choose the response that best describes your qualifications for the GS-12 grade level.
Knowledge of communication principles, methods, practices,and techniques in order to function as a communications authority for awide variety of complex, sensitive, and highly visible program/organization activities andinitiatives and to develop and disseminate written and oral information to the news media, partners, stakeholders, Congress, non-government organizations, and the generalpublic.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
16.
Analyze communication needs, identifying opportunities to move priorities forward constructively, focused on positive results.
17.
Establish and maintain positive working relationships with a variety of public and/or private audiences, media, constituents and/or stakeholders through a communications program that supports organizational and communications goals.
18.
Develop and implement outreach and/or communication strategies, messages, and communication materials designed to reach specific audiences in order to advance organizational goals.
Knowledge of conservation issues, Federal wildlife lawand regulations,and natural resource and wildlife management topics in order to conveyin layman's terms, complex technical information in a clear, accurate,interesting, and engaging manner that captures the attention and meetsthe needs of the news media and the public.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
19.
Uses creative storytelling and compelling narratives to engage audiences on natural resource and/or wildlife conservation issues and connect with target audiences.
20.
Addresses sensitive and often controversial topics in natural resource conservation to further public awareness of and understanding about agency decisions and policies.
Ability to work under pressure and short deadlines and to provide coordinated responses (on and off record) to communication demand soften times to audiences with opposing points of view or erroneous understanding of agency positions to achieve a more balanced perspective among these publics.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
21.
Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders in the development and implementation of multimedia campaigns, ensuring alignment with strategic communications goals and messages.
22.
Respond to inquiries from various forms of media such as wire services, television and radio networks, newspapers, magazines, newsletters and other media
23.
Serve as an official spokesperson for organization with the media and in public settings.
24.
Collaborate with staff at all levels of an organization to develop messaging, communications materials and outreach strategies for internal and external audiences.
Writing ability and skill in order to author news releases, publicservice announcements, presentations, feature articles, opinion pieces,speeches, and web-based multimedia products designed to convey complexinformation in a clear, accurate, interesting, and engaging manner to publicswith varying levels of comprehension of agency programs and policies, oropposition or indifference to the agency's program objectives.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
25.
Researches and conveys complex scientific and technical information to a general audience and key stakeholders across multi-media platforms, including print, Web and social media.
26.
Produces written and multimedia content for media relations, speeches and talking points, presentations, feature stories, blog and social media posts, printed materials, and other applications.
Knowledge of and skill in developing, planning, andexecuting communication plans and outreach strategies for thedissemination of information for a wide variety of target audiences,including members of Congress, senior officials,officials of state and local government, non-government organizations, and a culturally diversepublic to improve public understanding of wildlife issues.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
27.
Collaborate with staff at all levels of an organization to develop messaging, communications materials and outreach strategies for internal and external audiences.
28.
Interacts with a variety of staff and/or offices to synthesize appropriate responses to inquiries regarding high-profile, or controversial, natural resource conservation issues.