Food and Drug Administration Logo
Position Title
Public Affairs Specialist
Agency
Food and Drug Administration
Announcement Number
FDA-CDER-24-DE-12528991-EC Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, August 30, 2024 to Tuesday, September 3, 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 employee of any agency within the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) who has been notified that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by reduction-in-force (RIF)? If the duty station of your job you're separating from is in the same local commuting area as this vacancy, is at or below the grade level of this vacancy, and has the same (or lower) promotion potential as this vacancy, you may be entitled to selection priority under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP).
You must submit the documentation identified for I/CTAP under the Required Documents section of the job advertisement.



(limit characters)
3. Are you a current or former Federal employee of another agency (not the HHS) who has been notified that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by reduction-in-force (RIF)?  If the duty station of your job you're separating from is in the same local commuting area as this vacancy, is at or below the grade level of this vacancy, and has the same (or lower) promotion potential as this vacancy, you may be entitled to selection priority under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)..
You must submit the documentation identified for I/CTAP under the Required Documents section of the job advertisement.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. In the last five years, based on the closing date of this announcement, have you served or are you currently serving as an Executive Branch political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointee?
You can find out if you have held one of these appointment types by looking at your Standard Form 50s in your Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF), in Section 5 where the legal authorities are listed.
  • A political appointee is an appointment made by the President without confirmation by the Senate (5 CFR 213.3102(c)) OR an assistant position to a top-level federal official if filled by a person designated by the President as a White House Fellow (5 CFR 213.3102(z)).
  • A Schedule C appointee occupies a position excepted from the competitive service by the President, or by the Director of OPM, because of the confidential or policy-determining nature of the position duties (5 CFR 213.3301 and 5 CFR 213.3302).
  • A Non-career SES appointee is approved by the White House and serves at the pleasure of the appointing official without time limitations (5 CFR 317 Subpart F).
(limit characters)
2.

===== Acknowledgement of Restrictions on the Employment of Relatives by Public Officials =====
5 U.S. Code, § 3110 lays out specific and important restrictions on the employment of relatives within an agency.
A public official of a government agency may not appoint, promote, or otherwise advocate for the employment, advancement, or promotion of relatives within the agency for which the public official is employed or has control over.
Employees hired in violation of 5 U.S. Code, § 3110 will not be entitled to any pay for their period of employment, and any pay already received before the violation becomes known, will be considered as a debt to the government on the part of the employed individual.

For the purpose of this question, a "relative" is defined as: father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, or half sister.

QUESTION:
After having read the definition of "relative" as stated above, does the Food and Drug Administration employ any of your relatives?

IF YES: You must provide the following information, for each relative employed by the FDA:

  1. The full legal name of the relative.
  2. The relative's relationship to you (from the list above).
  3. If known, the relative's employing organization and position.
IF NO: Please type "No" in the box below.
(limit 750 characters)
3. When HHS completes its selections, the remaining list of qualified candidates may be shared with hiring managers and Human Resource Specialists at additional agencies who are hiring for similar positions. Please Opt-In here if you would like your name, application material, and assessment results shared with additional agencies. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore other opportunity announcements. (limit characters)
4. Do you wish to have your application packet and personal information shared with other Centers, Program Offices, or Operating/Staff Divisions seeking to fill a similar position within the Department of Health and Human Services?

(limit characters)
5. If you are a male at least 18 years of age, born after December 31, 1959, have you registered with the Selective Service System?


(Note: If you currently do not have an approved exemption or Status Information Letter you must request one from the Selective Service System. A copy of your proof of registration or the exemption/Status Information Letter must be provided prior to appointment.)
(limit characters)
6. If you are a male at least 18 years of age, born after December 31, 1959 AND you have NOT registered with the Selective Service System, do you have an approved exemption or Status Information Letter from the Selective Service System?


(Note: If you currently do not have an approved exemption or Status Information Letter you must request one from the Selective Service System. A copy of your proof of registration or the exemption/Status Information Letter must be provided prior to appointment.)
(limit characters)
7. Your responses to the all questions, and any information or documentation which you provide as part of your application, will be thoroughly reviewed for accuracy and truthfulness. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. If you fail to answer this question, your application will not be considered. Knowingly providing false information in your application (or submitted documentation) is a crime!
  1. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in my application is true, correct, and provided in good faith.
  2. I understand that if I intentionally make a false statement, or commit deception or fraud in my application, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 USC, Sec 1001); my eligibility may be canceled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 CFR, Part 731).
  3. I understand that any information I provide may be investigated.
  4. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.
Do you accept the conditions above?
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
We will evaluate your resume and responses to this Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. Your responses are subject to verification and must be supported by your resume and supporting documents. (limit characters)
1. From the descriptions below, select the one which best describes your experience and meets the Minimum Qualification Requirements for a Public Affairs Specialist, GS-1035-12 position.
(limit characters)
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided. (limit characters)
2. Interpret complex medical and scientific information.
(limit characters)
3. Arrange media briefings, interviews and other news events.
(limit characters)
4. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the trade press and other external stakeholders.
(limit characters)
5. Develop new information materials aimed at enhancing the understanding of groups or individuals.
(limit characters)
6. Assist in providing guidance to interview subjects on advisable conduct during media contacts.
(limit characters)
7. Stay abreast of important topics affecting the center and help ensure staff are aware of trade press articles affecting their work.
(limit characters)
8. Inform and educate specialized stakeholders about the organization's programs, activities and services.
(limit characters)
9. Provide media relations advice to staff and leadership about newsworthy and controversial issues.
(limit characters)
10. Develop and implement policies and objectives.
(limit characters)
11. Respond professionally to questions and/or criticism from members of the trade press.
(limit characters)
12. Develop complete communication plans.
(limit characters)
13. Present information orally in briefings and meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
(limit characters)
14. Present and explain programs and policies in a logical and clarifying manner.
(limit characters)
15. Present information about the program's mission and its activities to groups and individuals with varying levels of understanding. (limit characters)