- Position Title
- PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
- Agency
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Announcement Number
- CERH237098890947D Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Friday, October 27, 2023 to Monday, November 13, 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.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
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
• your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy and
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
ICTAP applicants must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well-qualified is defined as meeting all of the minimum qualification standards and eligibility requirements as well as possessing skills that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position.
*Note: Under competitive delegated examining, an ICTAP eligible will be considered well-qualified if they attain an eligibility rating of 90 or higher, not including points for veterans' preference.
Supporting documentation: Federal employees seeking ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.704, by submitting a copy of the following documents with your completed application: A copy of your agency notice; AND,
A copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal; AND,
A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Additional information regarding ICTAP eligibility can be found in the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition. For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
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
• your grade is equivalent to or below the grade level of the vacancy and
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.
ICTAP applicants must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well-qualified is defined as meeting all of the minimum qualification standards and eligibility requirements as well as possessing skills that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position.
*Note: Under competitive delegated examining, an ICTAP eligible will be considered well-qualified if they attain an eligibility rating of 90 or higher, not including points for veterans' preference.
Supporting documentation: Federal employees seeking ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.704, by submitting a copy of the following documents with your completed application: A copy of your agency notice; AND,
A copy of your most recent annual performance appraisal; AND,
A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Additional information regarding ICTAP eligibility can be found in the OPM Employee's Guide to Career Transition. For more information, review the USAJOBS Resource Center.
3.
Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
I am a military spouse who is currently married to my active duty sponsor. I am exercising my preference eligibility for positions within the local commuting area of my sponsor's current duty station. I certify that I have not accepted nor declined a permanent, continuing Federal or non-appropriated fund position in the local commuting area of our current duty location.
NOTE: Military spouses are eligible for one permanent noncompetitive appointment using their preference eligibility for the duration of the active duty sponsor's assignment to a permanent duty station, as long as the military spouse has not declined or accepted a permanent Federal or non-appropriated fund position in the commuting area of the sponsor's current duty location. If you certify that you have not used your preference at your sponsor's current duty location and it is discovered to be untrue, you may be subject to loss of MSP and possible disciplinary action.
Supporting Documentation: You must include a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP, such as PCS orders/verification of duty location assignment and a copy of marriage certificate or license.
Are you a Priority Placement Program DoD Military Spouse Preference Eligible?
I am a military spouse who is currently married to my active duty sponsor. I am exercising my preference eligibility for positions within the local commuting area of my sponsor's current duty station. I certify that I have not accepted nor declined a permanent, continuing Federal or non-appropriated fund position in the local commuting area of our current duty location.
NOTE: Military spouses are eligible for one permanent noncompetitive appointment using their preference eligibility for the duration of the active duty sponsor's assignment to a permanent duty station, as long as the military spouse has not declined or accepted a permanent Federal or non-appropriated fund position in the commuting area of the sponsor's current duty location. If you certify that you have not used your preference at your sponsor's current duty location and it is discovered to be untrue, you may be subject to loss of MSP and possible disciplinary action.
Supporting Documentation: You must include a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP, such as PCS orders/verification of duty location assignment and a copy of marriage certificate or license.
Are you a Priority Placement Program DoD Military Spouse Preference Eligible?
Condition of Employment
This position has requirements which must be met prior to employment, and conditions for continued employment. Your answers to the questions in this section will indicate your understanding of, or possession of, these requirements and conditions.
1.
The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles. Do you currently possess or are you willing and able to obtain and maintain a valid license to comply with the requirement?
2.
This position may require temporary duty (TDY) up to 25% of the time via air, water, or land. I am willing to travel for this position.
Assessment 1
OCCUPATIONAL QUESTIONS - Mark only 1 response for each question.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND WORK EXPERIENCE
This section asks you to describe your educational background, your work, and other experiences in specific factors which relate to job performance. ALL QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED.
1.
From the descriptions below, select the letter that describes the education or experience you have that demonstrates your ability to perform GS-7, Public Affairs Specialist work. If your highest level of education is not described below, choose the letter that describes experience or lower level education that you do have. Mark only 1 response.
Assessment 2
The following questions ask you to describe your educational background, your work, and other experiences in specific areas which relate to successful job performance.
You are to choose one answer to each question from among the alternatives presented. Do not omit answers unless instructed to do so. Other omissions may decrease your score.
1.
During high school (grades 9 - 12), I made the semester honor roll:
2.
The high school grade I most often received was:
IF YOU DID NOT ATTEND COLLEGE, PLEASE SKIP TO ITEM 4.
3.
The college grade I most often received was:
4.
In the past three years the number of different paying jobs I have held for more than two weeks is:
5.
I have been employed in work similar to that of the job covered by this examination:
6.
In the past three years, my primary work experience has been in:
7.
On my present or most recent job, my supervisor rated me as:
8.
In the past three years the number of jobs I have been fired from is:
9.
The number of civic or social organizations (which have regular meetings and a defined membership) that I belong to is:
10.
In organizations to which I belong, my participation is best described as:
11.
My previous supervisors (or teachers if not previously employed) would most likely describe my basic math skills as:
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The questions in this part relate to fundamental competencies, such as problem solving and oral communication required for the job for which you are applying.
Please answer each question "A" for YES or "B" for NO.
Keep in mind the following:
1) Some questions refer to "work" experience. Unless otherwise stated, this includes experience you have gained through:
• School,
• Volunteer work,
• Military service,
• Paid employment,
• Hobbies, or
• Professional, charitable, religious, community, social, or other organizations.
2) Some questions include examples to help show the broad range of accomplishments and experience applicants might have. Read the entire question using the examples as a guide, but do not base your answers solely on the examples.
3) Some questions ask you if you received a grade of B or above in your schoolwork. On an A, B, C, D, F scale, a grade of B or above is considered an above average grade. If you were graded on a different scale, use the equivalent of a B or above on the type of scale on which you were graded.
Answer all questions to the best of your ability. Your responses are subject to verification through background checks, job interviews, and any other information obtained during the application process. Untruthful responses or any attempt to conceal information can result in your removal from a Federal job and in you being barred from seeking Federal employment in the future.
Remember:
A- For Yes
B- For No
12.
Have you successfully done work that frequently required you to present nontechnical information at briefings, meetings, conferences, or hearings?
13.
Have you done work that involved writing brochures, press releases, or speeches?
14.
Have you successfully done work that regularly involved informally providing oral explanations of technical information or other complex information, such as regulations, policies, or procedures?
15.
Have you developed a formal mechanism to learn more about a problem (for example, developed a survey, conducted interviews or focus groups, etc.)?
16.
Have you successfully done work that regularly involved answering questions, gathering nonsensitive information, or providing assistance to others, either in person or by telephone?
17.
Have you successfully done work that regularly involved conducting quality checks or following up with customers or clients to ensure satisfaction with a product or service?
18.
Have you successfully dealt with a disruption to regular operations in a way that allowed for completion of the work or continuation of a noncritical service?
19.
Have you broken a sales record or a similar record, regularly exceeded quotas or similar productivity standards, or received formal recognition for doing work that surpassed what was expected (for example, received a certificate of appreciation, bonus, etc.)?
20.
Have you successfully done work that regularly involved discussing sensitive information with others, or interviewing or surveying people, either in person or by telephone, to gather information they were reluctant to give?
21.
Have you successfully done work that regularly involved manipulating data in a computer database (for example, importing, exporting, merging, updating, sorting data, etc.)?
22.
Have you successfully taught a writing course or worked as a professional journalist, editor, or writer?
23.
Have you successfully done work, not including computer applications classes, that regularly involved using graphics software to create and edit charts, tables, or graphs?
24.
Have you successfully done work that regularly involved answering questions, demonstrating a product or service, or providing assistance to customers, clients, or the public?
25.
Have you taken the initiative to learn new skills or acquire additional knowledge that improved your performance at work or school, or in leisure activities?
26.
Have you designed or developed something, on your own initiative, to help you or other employees better complete assignments (for example, designed a training manual)?
27.
Have you received formal recognition for solving a work-related problem (for example, received an award, a letter of commendation, etc.)?
28.
Have you successfully completed a small-scale project (lasting several days or weeks) on or ahead of schedule with minimal supervision?
29.
Have you proposed a creative idea, system, or procedure that benefited a group or organization?
30.
Do you regularly monitor your progress toward achieving your career goals (for example, by initiating discussions about your career goals with your supervisor, employee counselor, mentor, etc.)?
31.
Have you successfully designed or developed innovative ways of gathering information that had not been used before in your organization (for example, developed a new form for recording patient history, used focus groups to get customer feedback, etc.)?
32.
Have you effectively served on a problem-solving, planning, or goal-setting committee or team?
33.
Have you successfully done work where one of your primary responsibilities was to develop new or innovative products or marketing strategies?
34.
Have you successfully completed a large-scale project (lasting several months or longer) on or ahead of schedule with minimal supervision?
35.
Have you successfully done work that required you to identify what a customer or client needs?
36.
Have you successfully resolved conflicts among group or team members while acting in a leadership role for the group?
37.
Have you received favorable feedback about your interpersonal skills when serving as a leader, instructor, or supervisor for academic, religious, community, sports, leisure, or work activities?
38.
Have you devised a strategy to overcome a major setback that successfully enabled you to complete a project on time or within budget?
39.
Have you received formal recognition based on your creativity (for example, received an award, a letter of recognition, etc.)?
40.
Have you identified and solved a problem with a procedure, product, or service that benefited the organization (for example, saved the organization time or money, increased sales, reduced errors, etc.)?
41.
Have you suggested or designed a program that improved the quality of a product or service (for example, an employee suggestion program, customer satisfaction tracking program, etc.)?
42.
Have you received formal recognition for your written work (for example, received an award, letter of commendation, excellent performance appraisal rating, etc.)?
43.
Have you successfully completed a complex research project that included collecting and analyzing information, and reporting conclusions or recommendations?
44.
Have you received favorable feedback for oral presentations you have given to management or other officials, or to the public (for example, for speaking at religious services, performing in theatrical productions, etc.)?
45.
Have you suggested creative alternatives to offer to customers or clients that set your organization's products or services apart from those offered by other organizations (for example, suggested a creative financing plan, alternative business hours, etc.)?
46.
Have you participated in post-high school activities that helped you improve your negotiation or persuasion skills (for example, college debate team, training classes, workshops, seminars, etc.)?
47.
Have you successfully completed a long-term project outside of work where you were solely responsible for doing the work (for example, completed a thesis, wrote a book that was published, prepared a horse for competition that won a ribbon, restored an antique car, etc.)?
48.
Have you received favorable feedback about your ability to provide oral instructions or on-the-job training to others, or about your ability to instruct or coach others in athletic, leisure, or community activities?
49.
Have you successfully done work that regularly involved verifying the accuracy of information or the relevance of information to a problem or a situation (for example, investigative work)?
50.
Have you successfully done work that only occasionally required you to present information at briefings, meetings, conferences, or hearings?
51.
Have you successfully created computerized databases to organize information?
52.
Have you successfully persuaded others to volunteer time, money, or resources to a cause, or recruited others to join an organization (for example, college, community groups, charities, etc.)?
53.
Have you successfully done work that regularly involved interacting with people, other than your co-workers, from a foreign country or from different ethnic or cultural backgrounds?
54.
Have you successfully done work that regularly involved using computer software to run a payroll, accounting, or inventory system, or to record or track other quantitative information?
55.
Have you successfully done work that regularly involved interacting or coordinating with people outside of your immediate work group (for example, people from other offices, departments, organizations, etc.)?
56.
Have you successfully done work, not including computer applications classes, that regularly involved using word processing software to create, edit, and format documents or correspondence?
57.
Have you successfully done work that regularly involved relaying messages to co-workers, or providing information or giving simple instructions to customers or the public, either in person or by telephone (for example, worked as a receptionist, dispatcher, etc.)?
58.
Have you successfully remained polite and tactful while doing work where one of your primary responsibilities was to handle customer problems or complaints (for example, worked as a customer service representative)?
59.
Have you received formal recognition (for example, received an award, letter of commendation, etc.) or been given certain assignments because of your ability to work well in a group?
60.
Have you submitted articles or similar types of written work that were published in a local newspaper, nationally-distributed newsletter, or similar type of publication?
61.
Have you designed an innovative system or procedure that was implemented by your organization and adopted as a model by other organizations?
62.
Have you suggested or made changes to products or procedures that resulted in better meeting customer needs?
63.
Have you successfully done work that regularly involved negotiating with customers or clients to modify products or to resolve problems or disputes?
64.
Have you successfully written reports that presented facts, findings, logical conclusions, and persuasive arguments (for example, wrote a thesis, briefing papers, policy papers, complex research papers, etc.)?
65.
Have you effectively worked on a team that was quickly established to function in a crisis situation (for example, worked on a search and rescue mission)?
66.
Have you written articles or similar types of work that have been included in a school newspaper, community newsletter, or similar type of publication?
67.
Have you successfully done work that often required you to accommodate last minute requests from customers or clients or to provide quality service in situations where timeliness is critical (for example, worked as a courier or travel agent, worked in newspaper publishing, etc.)?
68.
Have you successfully resolved disagreements among a group of peers in a goal-oriented setting (for example, sports team, work group, theater group, cheerleading squad, etc.)?
69.
Have you successfully done work that regularly involved persuading customers or clients to purchase a product or service?
70.
Have you successfully done work that regularly involved composing letters or writing reports containing several short paragraphs, such as investigation reports, accident reports, performance evaluations, etc.?
71.
Have you received a grade of B or above on a class project that required working in a group?
72.
Have you received formal recognition for providing good service to customers or clients (for example, received an award, a letter of commendation, an excellent performance appraisal rating, etc.)?
73.
Have you successfully developed an automated system that improved accuracy, efficiency, or productivity?
74.
Have you worked on a team that produced measurable improvements (for example, an increase in production, quality, customer satisfaction, or a decrease in costs, number of injuries, complaints, etc.)?
75.
Have you participated in training classes, workshops, or seminars outside of school that helped you improve your self-management skills (for example, time management, goal setting, career development, etc.)?
76.
Have you participated in training classes, workshops, or seminars outside of school that helped you improve your teamwork skills?
77.
Have you received formal recognition for your ability to work well with others (for example, received a letter of recommendation or appreciation, an excellent performance appraisal rating, etc.)?
78.
Have you effectively participated as a member of an extracurricular school team or community team (for example, sports, cheerleading, debate, theater, neighborhood watch, etc.)?
79.
Have you successfully done work where you played a key role in keeping morale up, fostering team spirit or cooperation, or making a group more productive (for example, worked as a coach, supervisor, campaign manager, etc.)?
80.
Have you successfully persuaded management, other members of your group, customers, or clients to accept a proposal?
81.
Have you earned a degree in an area of study related to oral communication (for example, speech communication, broadcast journalism, etc.)? (Answer YES to this question if you anticipate receiving this degree within the next 9 months.)
82.
Have you successfully done work where your primary responsibility involved interacting with current or potential customers or clients for the purpose of selling a product or service?
83.
Have you successfully done work, not including computer applications classes, that regularly involved using desktop publishing software to develop page layouts, create illustrations, etc.?