Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Logo
Position Title
Public Affairs Specialist, NB-1035-V
Agency
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Announcement Number
MP-HQ-LJ-24-5140-12552929 Opens in new window
Open Period
Thursday, September 19, 2024 to Thursday, October 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 veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions and you: 
  • have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR
  • retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214, please submit the Member 4 copy (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. Please also provide the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources. 
 
(limit characters)
3. 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.
(limit characters)
4. Are you a current or former Federal employee who:
  • Has held a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service; AND,
  • Has not held the band/grade level of the position being advertised; AND/OR,
  • Has not held the promotion potential of the position being advertised?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,
  • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
(limit characters)
5. Do you have a severe physical, psychiatric or mental disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.

To verify your eligibility, you must provide appropriate medical documentation, i.e., a letter signed by a licensed medical professional or licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist stating your condition and restrictions.
(limit characters)
6. 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.

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.

To verify your eligibility, you must  submit proof that you 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. 

For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.

 
(limit characters)
7. Are you a current Federal employee in the excepted service in an agency covered by an Interchange Agreement with at least one year of service in that position?

For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems

-OR-

Are you a current: 

• Postal Career Service Employee; or
• Postal Rate Commission Employee; or
• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,
• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee?
 
For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.  

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status. 

 
(limit characters)
8. Are you a current or former employee of a land management agency (Forest Service; Bureau of Land Management; National Park Service; Fish and Wildlife Service; Bureau of Indian Affairs; or Bureau of Reclamation) who:

• was originally hired to a time-limited position under a competitive appointment; AND,
• served one or more time-limited appointments at a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two or more years; AND,
• performed at an acceptable level of service during each period of service; AND,
• if no longer employed by the land management agency, have been separated for no more than two years, and departed that position in good standing?

To verify your eligibility, you must provide a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) and performance appraisal that demonstrates you meet the requirements outlined in the 5 U.S.C. 9602.
(limit characters)
9.
Are you eligible to be appointed under the Military Spouse Noncompetitive Appointing Authority based on any of the following categories?

(1) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who has been issued orders for a permanent change of station (PCS)? If yes, confirm you are indicated on the PCS orders; and that you:  
  • have been married to the military member on or prior to the date of your spouse's PCS orders;  
  • are relocating with your spouse to the new duty location; AND,  
  • have not previously been appointed using this authority under these orders.  
-OR-  

(2) Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?  

-OR-  

(3) Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status?  

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources,

To verify your eligibility for option 1 identified above, you must submit a copy of the PCS orders indicating you are authorized to relocate on those orders.  

To verify your eligibility for options 2 and 3 identified above, you must submit the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15 and all supporting documentation identified on that document (e.g., Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service; death certificate and documentation identifying marital status at the time of death; disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc. 
 
(limit characters)
10. Are you a current Federal employee in the Competitive Service at the same grade level, or higher as this position with the same or higher promotion potential?  

-OR-  

Were you formerly employed as a Federal employee on a permanent competitive appointment or have you obtained career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you held the same grade as this position or higher with the same or higher promotion potential? 

To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:  
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND,  
  • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1); AND,
  • the higher band/grade level or higher promotion potential highest grade previously held (Grade or Level field box 18.).
(limit characters)
11. Are you a former OTS employees currently serving under a permanent Schedule A 213.3105(d)(1) appointment with the OCC?
 
(limit characters)
12. Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who has completed:
  • your service within the past twelve months; OR,
  • your service within the past 36 months and is 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; OR,
  • at least 36 months of continuous service and has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
If you answer yes to this question, you are required to submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) or statement of volunteer service showing that you meet the requirements listed AND the SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) reflecting the highest grade held if not reflected on your most recent form.  Failure to submit this documentation with your application will result in a rating of ineligible. 

If you are a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member who is requesting an extension of your non-competitive eligibility, please also provide the necessary documentation to support your request.

For more information, review USAJOBS Resource Center.

 
(limit characters)
13. Are you an employee that was involuntarily separated from another agency due to a reduction-in-force (RIF)?

The Inter-agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) is an inter-agency program that helps "surplus" or "displaced" federal employees improve their chances of finding a new job at another agency (not their current or former agency), by giving these employees selection priority over other applicants from outside the agency.

You may be eligible for ICTAP if:

You're a current federal employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced employee—you've received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF).

The agency you're applying to is accepting applications from outside of their workforce.

The job you're applying to is in the local commuting area.

You meet the qualifications and other requirements of the job you're applying for.
For example, if you work for the Department of Defense and receive a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, you can apply for a competitive service job in the local commuting area at the Department of Justice.

To verify your eligibility: You must submit appropriate 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.
 
(limit characters)
14. Are you a former federal employee who serviced on a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service and is eligible for non-competitive reinstatement to the competitive service and must compete for a higher band or GS grade level or full-performance level than which you left federal employment?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
 
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field box 24. is 1 or 2); AND, 
  • your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field box 34. is 1); AND
  • highest grade previously held (Grade or Level field box 18.)
(limit characters)
15. Are you a former federal employee who serviced on a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service and is eligible for non-competitive reinstatement to the competitive service and held a permanent position at the same band or GS grade level and full-performance level as the position you are applying to?

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
  • career or career-conditional (Tenure field box 24. is 1 or 2); AND, 
  • your status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field box 34. is 1); AND,
  • highest grade previously held (Grade or Level field box 18.)
(limit characters)
16. Are you eligible for noncompetitive appointment under a Special Appointing Authority (this includes employees covered by an Interchange Agreement or Military Spouses)? 

You may be eligible under a special authority if you are a:
  • Former employee of the Canal Zone Merit System or Panama Canal Employment System.
  • Former employee who served in the Office of the President or Vice-President or on the White House Staff.
  • Former incumbent of a position brought into the competitive service.
  • Disabled veteran who has completed a training course under Chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code.
  • Former ACTION volunteer.
  • Current or former Foreign Service officer or employee.
  • Former employee of the Panama Canal Commission located in the United States.
There are specific eligibility requirements for each of these special hiring authorities. Please read OPM's code of federal hiring regulations for more details.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit supporting documentation. For example, a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50 non-award).


 
(limit characters)
17. Are you eligible to apply under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA)?

You are eligible if:
  • you are a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND
  • you served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (NOTE: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR 
  • you are entitled to veterans' preference including derived preference

If you answer yes to this question you must submit a copy of your latest DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (any copy that shows all dates of service, as well as character of service [Honorable, General, etc.] is acceptable) OR a VA letter that shows dates of service or service connected disability AND character of service. If you have more than one DD-214 for multiple periods of active duty service, you should submit a copy for each period of service. If you were issued a DD-215 to amend aforementioned information on the DD-214 you must submit that too.

If you are entitled to claim VEOA due to derived preference you must also provide the applicable supporting documentation of your derived preference (e.g., disability letter from the VA, DD 1300, etc.) as described on Standard Form-15 (SF-15)

Failure to provide supporting documentation will result in a rating of ineligible. For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.

You may request copies of your military personnel records (e.g., DD-214) online or from the VA.

NOTE: If you are an active duty service member you are not eligible for consideration under this authority. Refer to the active duty service member question for consideration.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. If you are a male at least 18 years of age, born after December 31, 1959, have you registered with the Selective Service System (select "Not applicable" if this question does not apply to you)? (limit characters)
2. May we contact your current supervisor for a reference? (limit characters)
If you are an annuitant, your salary or annuity may be reduced upon employment. (limit characters)
3. If you are among the best-qualified applicants referred for consideration, you may be required to complete one (or more) job-related structured interviews and assessments. The disclosure of structured interview questions and assessment questions undermines merit-based selection processes.

Applicants are expressly prohibited from disclosing, publishing, reproducing, posting, or transmitting the content of the structured interview questions and assessments in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, oral or written, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose1.
  • Applicants who are not willing to abide by these conditions will NOT be able to participate in the selection process.
  • If an applicant is found to have violated this agreement, they will be disqualified.
  • If an applicant is a current OCC employee or becomes an OCC employee and is found to have violated this agreement, they may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including removal.

I agree to comply with the above statement:
(limit characters)
1"These provisions are consistent with and do not supersede, conflict with, or otherwise alter the employee obligations, rights, or liabilities created by existing statute or Executive order relating to (1) classified information, (2) communications to Congress, (3) the reporting to an Inspector General or the Office of Special Counsel of a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or (4) any other whistleblower protection. The definitions, requirements, obligations, rights, sanctions, and liabilities created by controlling Executive orders and statutory provisions are incorporated into this agreement and are controlling." This agreement, policy or form (as applicable) does not prohibit or restrict "an employee or applicant for employment from disclosing to Congress, the Special Counsel, the Inspector General of an agency, or any other agency component responsible for internal investigation or review any information that relates to any violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or any other whistleblower protection." 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(13). (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in a position with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. Your resume and the responses you provide to this assessment questionnaire will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified for this position. Your responses are subject to verification. Please review your responses for accuracy before you submit your application.

Your answers to the following questions should reflect the qualifications you possess, or expect to possess, within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement.
(limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
1. I understand that my resume must contain sufficient information to show that I meet the minimum qualification requirements, and that to ensure I receive any credit for relevant work experience, my resume should include the start and end dates for each job held (month and year), number of hours worked per week, and a description of duties performed in each job.
(limit characters)
2. List the position titles, grade levels (if federal service), dates (month/day/year), and number of hours per week for each position held that meets the one year specialized experience requirement. Please make sure your resume adequately describes your job responsibilities for each position listed.
(limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
3. Do you have at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the NB-IV or GS-11 level, as described in the Qualifications section of the vacancy announcement? Please review the announcement carefully before responding. (limit characters)
4. Select the response that best demonstrates your highest level of experience promoting awareness and understanding of an organization's or agency's programs or policies to representatives of the media and other external audiences.
(limit characters)
5. Which of the following public affairs activities have you performed on behalf of an agency or organization? (Select all that apply.) (limit characters)
6. Select the following response that best describes your highest level of experience writing or editing social media content. (limit characters)
7. Select the documents that you have written as part of your work related to Public Affairs activities. (Select all that apply). (limit characters)
8. Select your highest level of experience implementing an organization's or agency's public affairs plans, activities, or events with the purpose of maximizing media attention and exposure for the organization or agency. (limit characters)
9. Which of the following represents your highest level of experience coordinating the development or production of multimedia products to the specific needs of targeted audiences? (limit characters)
10. Select your highest level of experience preparing a social media strategy on behalf of an agency or organization. (limit characters)
11. Select all of the tasks you have performed when building a social media strategy. (Select all that apply) (limit characters)
12. Select the social media channels that you have drafted and posted written content for an agency or organization. (Select all that apply.) (limit characters)
13. Select the social media channels that you have produced and posted videos for an agency or organization. (Select all that apply.) (limit characters)
14. Select the social media channels that you have developed and posted graphics for an agency or organization. (Select all that apply.) (limit characters)
15. Select the social media channels that you have generated and analyzed analytics for an agency or organization. (Select all that apply.) (limit characters)
16. What is your highest level of experience preparing and executing a social media campaign in support of recruiting efforts on behalf of an agency or organization? (limit characters)
17. Which of the following describes your experience with performing social media-related tasks on behalf of an agency or organization? (Select all that apply) (limit characters)
18. I have created multimedia content using: (Select all that apply) (limit characters)
19. Select the following tasks you have performed as it relates to strategic communications. (Select all that apply) (limit characters)
20. Select the response that best describes your highest level of developing communication strategies. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
21. If you are among the best-qualified applicants referred for consideration, do you agree to provide at least one communication plan for social media or a social media strategy that you have prepared as part of your work on behalf of an agency or organization? (limit characters)
22. If you are among the best-qualified applicants referred for consideration, do you agree to provide a link to at least two different short form (2 minutes or shorter) videos that you have prepared and posted on social media as part of your work on behalf of an agency or organization? The videos may not be a news broadcast or recording of an event. (limit characters)
23. If you are among the best-qualified applicants referred for consideration, do you agree to provide a link to at least one multimedia file with motion, animation or other special effect that you have prepared and posted on social media as part of your work on behalf of an agency or organization? (limit characters)
24. If you are among the best-qualified applicants referred for consideration, do you agree to submit at least one link to a static graphic that you have prepared and posted to social media as a part of your professional responsibilities on behalf of an agency or organization? (limit characters)
25. Your ratings in this questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents you submit. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your ratings. Deliberate attempts to falsify or exaggerate your experience level may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency, if selected. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. By agreeing to the statement below, you are confirming that you: 1) understand this warning; 2) have reviewed your responses to this questionnaire for accuracy; and 3) have verified that your responses accurately describe your current level of experience and capability as reflected in your resume.

Yes, I verify that all of my responses to this questionnaire are true and accurate and are supported in my resume
No, I do not accept this agreement and I no longer wish to be considered for this position.
(limit characters)
By clicking "Next" (below), I acknowledge that OCC ethics standards generally prohibit employees, their spouses, and minor children (as defined by state law) from holding securities, such as stocks and bonds, of banks, savings associations, or their affiliates, such as bank holding companies. If I am selected for and choose to accept this position, I understand that I, my spouse, and minor children will be expected to divest any securities prohibited by OCC ethics standards. (limit characters)