National Science Foundation Logo
Position Title
Public Affairs Specialist, GS-1035-12/13 MP
Agency
National Science Foundation
Announcement Number
OLPA-24-12447000 Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, July 3, 2024 to Wednesday, July 17, 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 NSF employee? (limit characters)
3. Are you a 30% or more disabled veteran? If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive temporary appointment.  Under this eligibility, you may be converted to a permanent position, but conversion is not guaranteed. To be eligible, you must:
  1. Be a disabled veteran rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more; OR, be a disabled veteran who retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more. 
  2. Submit the appropriate documentation listed in the SF-15: 1) A. Documentation of Service and Separation (e.g., DD-214); AND, 2) C. Documentation of Compensable Service-Connected Disability (10% or more) (e.g., VA Letter). Submission of the SF-15 is not required.  This documentation must be submitted with your application package, before the announcement closes. 
  3. Select "Yes" to this eligibility question. 
Based on the above, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a noncompetitive temporary appointment as a 30% disabled veteran? (limit characters)
4.
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. (limit characters)
5. Are you a current/former federal employee who meets one of the following Merit Promotion eligibilities:
  1. Current career/career-conditional federal employee applying for a PROMOTION or TRANSFER to a position with a higher grade/pay band or higher promotion potential than you previously held on a permanent basis?
  2. Former career/career-conditional federal employee with "Status" applying for REINSTATEMENT to a position with a higher grade/pay band or higher promotion potential than you previously held on a permanent basis?
Note: also select "Yes" if applying for a change-to-lower grade (CTLG) to a position with higher promotion potential than you previously held on a permanent basis.

Check the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section in the job announcement for instructions to support your eligibility to apply for this vacancy. Visit USAJOBS's for more information on eligibility.  If you separated from Federal Government employment, you may obtain a copy of your SF-50 via the Federal Records Center, National Archives and Records Administration. 

Based on the above, are you eligible to apply as a status applicant/reinstatement eligible?    (limit characters)
6. Are you a current/former federal employee who meets one of the following non-competitive eligibilities:
  1. Current career/career-conditional federal employee applying for REASSIGNMENT, CHANGE-TO-LOWER GRADE, REPROMOTION, or TRANSFER, and you currently or previously held a position with the same grade/pay band or higher and the same or higher promotion potential on a permanent basis?
  2. Former career/career-conditional federal employee with "Status", applying for REINSTATEMENT, and you previously held a position with the same grade/pay band or higher and the same or higher promotion potential on a permanent basis?
Check the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section in the job announcement for instructions to support your eligibility to apply for this vacancy. Visit USAJOBS's for more information on eligibility.  If you separated from Federal Government employment, you may obtain a copy of your SF-50 via the Federal Records Center, National Archives and Records Administration. 

Based on the above, are you eligible to apply as a non-competitive or reinstatement eligible?    (limit characters)
7.
Do you currently work at the National Science Foundation? If so, you may be eligible to apply to this vacancy announcement. To be eligible, you must:
  1. Be a current permanent NSF employee on a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service. If you are unsure of your eligibility, access eOPF and open your latest Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50):  Block 24 -Tenure must be "1 - Permanent" or "2 - Conditional" AND Block 34 - Position Occupied must be "1 -Competitive Service."  If you are still unsure of your eligibility, contact the individual listed in the vacancy announcement for assistance.  
Based on the above, are you eligible to apply as an NSF Employee?  If you work at NSF, select "Yes", submit the required documentation, and we will make the determination for you. (limit characters)
8. Are you interested in, and eligible for, a non-competitive appointment as a Military Spouse Eligible under E.O. 13832 and P.L. 115-232: The spouse of a member of the armed forces on active duty, the spouse of a 100 percent disabled member of the armed forces, or the spouse of a deceased member of the armed forces? If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive appointment.  

Required Documents: 
  • Spouse of a member of armed forces: 
  1. Active duty orders for your spouse or other documentation from the military showing that your spouse is on active duty.
  2. Documentation verifying marriage (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage).
  • Spouse of a 100 percent disabled member of the armed forces or deceased member of the armed forces
  1. Documentation showing your spouse was released, discharged or retired from active duty due to a service-connected disability of a rating of 100% or discharged due to death.
  2. Documentation verifying marriage (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage)
  3. A statement certifying that you are the un-remarried widow or widower of the service member (if applicable)
Based on the above, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a noncompetitive appointment as a military spouse? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes. (limit characters)
9. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past twelve months?

-OR-Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed your service within the past 36 months and are requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility due to your military service, status as a full-time student or other experience related to this position (you must provide supporting documentation?

-OR-Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who has completed at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?

For more information on eligibility visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/peace-corps/

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a noncompetitive appointment as a former Peace Corps volunteer or a current or former Peace Corps staff member? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes. (limit characters)
10. Are you a former permanent, competitive-service employee of the Federal Government  OR  veterans' preference eligible who held a career or career-conditional (non-time-limited) appointment eligible for reinstatement?  
If you are, your previous SF-50 will reflect career status, Tenure 1 in box 24  OR
Your  previous SF-50 will reflect career-conditional status: Tenure 2 in box 24 and you will have separated within the last three years OR
Your previous SF-50 will reflect career-conditional status: Tenure 2 in box 24 and you have veterans preference. (limit characters)
11. Do you have an intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability [5CFR 213.3102(u)] appointment? For more information on eligibility visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/

Check the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section in the job announcement for instructions to support your eligibility to apply for this vacancy. (limit characters)
12. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND:
  • --you served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military; OR
  • --you are entitled to veterans' preference?
Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour or claiming "derived preference" you may also meet the eligibility criteria.

For more information on eligibility visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/

Check the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section in the job announcement for instructions to support your eligibility to apply for this vacancy.

Based on the above, are you eligible to apply as a status applicant through the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)? (limit characters)
13. 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. (limit characters)
14. Do you work for an excepted service agency that has an interchange agreement with OPM or are you otherwise eligible for a competitive service appointment through an authority not regulated by OPM? If so, you may be eligible to be considered for a noncompetitive appointment.

For more information on eligibility visit: Competitive Hiring (opm.gov)

Based on the above and the referenced web page, are you eligible, and do you wish to be considered for, a noncompetitive appointment under this mechanism? If so, you must select "Yes" and provide the required documents with your application package, before the announcement closes. (limit characters)
15. Are you now, or have you been in the last 5 years, a political appointee? (limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
1. GS-12: Choose the statement that best describes your experience.
 (limit characters)
2. GS-13: Choose the statement that best describes your experience.
 (limit characters)
3. SELECTIVE FACTOR: Do you have professional work experience designing and executing an organization's presence at a large conference or event? This experience must be documented in your resume, and must include the development of communication strategies, planning the event layout, and developing targeted, appropriate programming.
 (limit characters)
4. 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.
 (limit characters)
5. Which of the following describes your experience writing and editing communications products? Select all that apply.
 (limit characters)
6. Do you have experience using multimedia platforms to produce and maintain internal and external communications products?
 (limit characters)
7. Indicate your highest level of experience planning and disseminating internal and external information via visual media.
 (limit characters)
8. Which of the following outreach products have you produced? Select all that apply.
 (limit characters)
9. Do you have experience developing strategic communications plans and strategies to engage with internal and external audiences?
 (limit characters)
10. Identify the following activities that you have performed as a regular and recurring part of your job. Select all that apply.
 (limit characters)
11. Indicate which of the following you have experience establishing and maintaining relationships with. Select all that apply. (limit characters)
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? Select all that apply.
 (limit characters)
13. Do you have experience designing and evaluating internal and external affairs programs/initiatives?
 (limit characters)
14. Do you have experience evaluating the outcomes of projects, programs and/or plans to ensure achievement of objectives?
 (limit characters)
15. Do you have experience representing an organization as a spokesperson? Be prepared to provide an example if you are called in for an interview.
 (limit characters)
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