Job description
Duties
This series covers positions managing, supervising, leading, and/or performing work involved in establishing and maintaining mutual communication between Federal agencies and the general public and various other pertinent publics including internal or external, foreign or domestic audiences. Positions in this series advise agency management on policy formulation and the potential public reaction to proposed policy, and identify and carry out the public communication requirements inherent in disseminating policy decisions. The work involves identifying communication needs and developing informational materials that inform appropriate publics of the agency's policies, programs, services and activities, and plan, execute, and evaluate the effectiveness of information and communication programs in furthering agency goals. Work in the series requires skills in written and oral communication, analysis, and interpersonal relations.
- Vacancies filled under this public notice may have varying levels of promotion potential and supervisory level, if any.
- Positions may be filled as permanent, term, or temporary with a full-time or part-time work schedule.
As a Public Affairs Specialist you may:
- design, plan, and direct or advise on the public affairs program in an agency, or organization within an agency;
- develop and disseminate informational materials to the general public or specialized target groups within a domestic or foreign setting;
- provide information of particular value and interest to agency employees;
- establish and maintain effective working relationships with all media, both foreign and domestic, and develop and disseminate informational materials to pertinent publics through the media.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
- Subject to satisfactory security and suitability requirements.
- May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
- Positions may be filled as permanent, term, or temporary with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.
- The vacancies filled through these appointments have varying levels of background investigative requirements, up to a Top Secret DOE "Q" clearance.
- These positions are to be filled under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA - P.L. 117-58).
Qualifications
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-09: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes:
- Drafting information relative to an organization's mission, programs and accomplishments for dissemination to the public and the media; AND
- Writing a variety of reports, products and projects such as; fact sheets, informational brochures or papers, articles and other content
OR COMBINATION: You may qualify on a combination of education and experience. The total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate level education more than the first 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes:
- Drafting information relative to an organization's mission, programs and accomplishments for dissemination to the public and the media; AND
- Writing a variety of reports, products and projects such as; fact sheets, informational brochures or papers, articles and other content; AND
- Assisting in the review of current communication strategies and plans
OR COMBINATION: You may qualify on a combination of education and experience. The total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate level education more than the first 36 semester hours (54 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-12 : You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes:
- Drafting news releases, fact sheets, brochures, or other content that increase communication and understanding with the public; AND
- Assisting with handling challenging or controversial issues impacting an organization; AND
- Analyzing public reaction to programs and identifying options to improve communications internally and with the general public
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-13: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes:
- Implementing communication outreach strategies to maintain public support and designing approaches to address specific communications problems; AND
- Identifying and planning, design, and preparation of effective outreach materials, including fact sheets, postcards, flyers, mailers, and other visual materials for identified target audiences; AND
- Carrying out special projects to assess the effectiveness of various communication methods (i.e., web, TV, radio, social media, etc.)
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-14: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes:
- Designing and implementing proactive public affairs projects including strategic communications programs and other communication strategies; AND
- Researching, writing, and editing news releases, publications, web and digital content, reports, brochures, presentations, announcements, speeches, visual data products and other informational materials for the media and other groups interested in or impacted by an organization; AND
- Carrying out special projects to assess the effectiveness of various communication methods (i.e., web, TV, radio, social media, etc.)
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-15: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes:
- Providing leadership in developing and implementing written and visual promotional and informational products that enhance an organization's public and media image; AND
- Designing and implementing proactive public affairs projects including strategic communications programs and other communication strategies; AND
- Researching, writing, and editing news releases, publications, web and digital content, reports, brochures, presentations, announcements, speeches, visual data products and other informational materials for the media and other groups interested in or impacted by an organization; AND
- Carrying out special projects to assess the effectiveness of various communication methods (i.e., web, TV, radio, social media, etc.)
NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-15 level.
"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
OPM Qualification Standards for the GS-1035 series can be found at the following website: OPM Qualification Standards
CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.
This public notice may be used to fill multiple positions as needed; therefore, applicants must meet the qualifications at the time the applications are reviewed.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
- For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov
- Status and Non-Status applicants from outside DOE selected under this authority are required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period. A DOE career status employee selected for this position may be required to serve a new one (1) year probationary period, pursuant to 5 CFR 315.802.
- If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
- This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.
- More than one selection may be made under this hiring authority.
- Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
- Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
- Positions may be filled at varying levels of leadership, ie Team Lead, Manager, Supervisor.
- Supervisory positions may require a 1-year probationary period, if not yet completed.
- New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify
- Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
- All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
- Relocation or Recruitment Incentive may be authorized.
- This position may be 100% remote.
- EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/EEO_Policy_Statement
- Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Reasonable_Accommodation_Policy_Statement
- Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Veterans_Information
- Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Appointments made under this authority will be processed as new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Civil Service employees would, therefore, be given new appointments to the Civil Service. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).
If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score may be adjusted accordingly.
Successful candidates will possess the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
- Communications and Media
- Integrity
- Oral Communication
- Partnering
- Planning and Evaluating
- Strategic Thinking
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (12/31/2022) of this announcement.
To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, clickhttps://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11648654.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:
- Your RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
- Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
- Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement. Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
- Veterans' Preference documentation,if applicable, DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
- Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable(e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration.
The application process is as follows:You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.- You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/.
- To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
- You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/
If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.
In addition to applying to this Job Opportunity Announcement, interested candidates are encouraged to also submit their resume via DOE's Applicant Portal. The Applicant Portal allows applicants to align their talents with their passion by indicating specific areas of interest and allow hiring managers throughout the agency to search and review candidate resumes simultaneously to find the best fit for YOU in DOE.Agency contact information
Direct Hire Applicant Inquiries-Questions
Email
HC-HIT@hq.doe.gov
Address
Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer
P.O. Box 5088
Oak Ridge, TN 37831
USNext steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated.
You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJobs Account and editing the Notification Settings.
You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.
A Recruitment Incentive May Be Authorized for a newly selected employee when appointed to a permanent, temporary, or term position. A Federal employee who is transferring to the Department of Energy from another Federal agency and who does not meet the conditions under 5 CFR ยง575.102 is not eligible for a recruitment incentive.
A Relocation Incentive May Be Authorized for a Federal employee when the employee move, as directed by the Department of Energy (DOE), to a different location at least 50 miles away from the one where his/her position of record is currently located, due to a need of the DOE. A relocation incentive is not the same as a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move and, as such, may be granted in conjunction with one another.Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:
- Your RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
- Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
- Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement. Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.
- Veterans' Preference documentation,if applicable, DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
- Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable(e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.
This job is open to
-
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
U.S. Citizens This direct hire public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.
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