Natural Resources Conservation Service Logo
Position Title
Public Affairs Specialist (Recent Graduate) -- Incentives May Be Authorized
Agency
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Announcement Number
NRCS-24-12310827-RG-NW-BC Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, February 12, 2024 to Monday, February 26, 2024
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.
Are you a current USDA employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee, in which received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF)? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as the vacancy;  AND,
• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you will be separated; AND,
• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you 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.
 
 
(limit characters)
3.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than USDA? If yes, confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area as 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.
 
 
(limit characters)
4. Are you a recent graduate who has, within the previous two years, completed a qualifying Associate's, Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate, professional, vocational or technical degree or certificate program? OR,

Are you a veteran who was unable to apply within two years of receiving your qualifying degree or certificate (associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctoral, or vocational/technical degree or certificate) due to military service obligation AND are you within six years from the date the degree or certificate was completed?

For more information, review USAJOBS Student and Recent Graduate resources.

 
(limit characters)
5. Have you registered for reemployment consideration AND meet one of the below: 

• Are you a current or former competitive service USDA employee who will be or was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as your last annual performance rating? 
OR 
• Are you a former USDA competitive service employee who separated due to a compensable injury or disability?
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the location(s) you want to be considered for. You must choose at least one location. You may only select up to 5 location(s). (limit characters)
2. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
3. Are you a current or former Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointee? (limit characters)
Assessment 1
INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the following questions. Mark only one response for each question. Any experience claimed in response to the following questions MUST be supported by information in your application (resume or any other written format). This information must be SPECIFIC (i.e., duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments). Failure to provide this supporting documentation may result in receipt of a lower or ineligible rating. (Note: One year of specialized experience is based on a 40-hour workweek. If you have worked less than 40 hours per week, you must prorate your experience. (limit characters)
1. To be considered eligible or qualified for an appointment as a Recent Graduate you must provide transcripts which show the degree awarded and conferred date (within the last 2 years). Recent Graduates can qualify with a bachelor's degree or higher in a related field. Do you understand the requirements, and will you provide appropriate documentation to verify eligibility and qualifications?
(limit characters)
2. Are you a recent graduate that has completed (or will complete within 120 days from the closing date this announcement) all the requirements for an academic course of study leading to a qualifying degree from an accredited educational institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx); OR a veteran that completed all the requirements for an academic course of study leading to a qualifying degree from an accredited educational institution, but due to a military service obligation, were unable to apply within the two-year timeframe (and it has not been more than six years since the qualifying degree was completed). For more information, review USAJOBS Student and Recent Graduate (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/students/)
(limit characters)
3. Select the one statement that best describes the education and/or experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of Public Affairs Specialist at the GS-05 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service.
(limit characters)
4. Select the one statement that best describes the education and/or experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of Public Affairs Specialist at the GS-07 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service.
(limit characters)
5. Select the one statement that best describes the education and/or experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of Public Affairs Specialist at the GS-09 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service.
(limit characters)
From the descriptions below, choose the response that best describes your highest level of experience for each assessment question listed below: (limit characters)
6. Select the one statement that best describes your experience preparing written materials.
(limit characters)
7. Select the one statement that best describes your highest level of experience and involvement developing presentation materials, including written and visual products, for self, and other staff to portray program information, including progress, accomplishments, needs, and opportunities.
(limit characters)
8. Select the one statement that best describes your highest level of experience and involvement using multiple media and techniques to promote and market programs.
(limit characters)
9. Select the one statement that best describes your oral communication expertise as it relates to explaining information in a clear and concise manner.
(limit characters)
10. Select the response(s) that describe your ability to effectively communicate orally in a variety of settings with professional staff, internal and external customers, consultants, and the public on technical and non-technical project issues.
(limit characters)
11. Select the one statement that best describes your highest level of experience developing professional working relationships with others.
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12. Select the response(s) that describe your work in public affairs or closely related specialty work preparing the following types of information for others within and outside of my organization:
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13. Select the response(s) that describe your work in public affairs or closely related specialty work as it relates to activities involved in providing information to targeted audiences and/or announcements:
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14. Your responses to the Eligibility Assessment and Occupational Questionnaire, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy.
(limit characters)