U.S. Department of Agriculture

Public Affairs Specialist


Pay$69107.00 - $89835.00 / year
LocationHoonah/Alaska
Employment typeFull-Time

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  • Job Description

      Req#: 757632400
      This is an open and continuous announcement. See Additional Information section for more information. Applications will expire every 90 days. To remain active for consideration, applicants must resubmit their application. Positions may be filled at one or more of the duty locations included in this announcement.

      Final determination of the duty location will be made at the time of the job offer.

      Duties


      • Plans, directs, and implements a comprehensive public affairs program for the unit. Coordinates efforts to inform public and employees of Forest Service programs and policies.
      • Responsible for informing interested publics, including other agencies, organizations, and individuals, of Forest Service activities and programs.
      • Coordinates the public participation program which is designed to involve interested publics in the decision making processes.
      • Advises managers as to the most effective methods of collecting and analyzing public comments.
      • Anticipates the views of organized groups and advises as to how to present the Forest Service position on controversial issues.
      • Makes recommendations on best techniques to use in organizing analysis and evaluation process.
      • Monitors public participation posture and public's perception of that posture.
      • Writes, edits, and prepares news releases and programs for press, radio, and television.
      • Contact with print and broadcast media on a regional and national level is required for some issues which generate regional or national interest.
      • Responsible for coordinating and expediting all congressional correspondence received by the unit.

      Requirements


      • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
      • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
      • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
      • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
      • Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
      • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.

      Qualifications


      In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

      Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.

      Specialized Experience Requirement:
      For the GS-11 : Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include one (1) or more of the following:
      • Responding in oral and written form, to requests for information by determining the nature of the data required and collecting and assembling the material using the appropriate format and style based on needs and organization practices;
      • Assisting in evaluation and analysis of public comments on management issues;
      • Identifying areas to be addressed, characteristics and needs of the target audience, and communication techniques most appropriate;
      • Developing recommended approaches and drafting material for supervisor's approval; and/or
      • Developing and presenting informational audio-visual material using new technologies and social media.
      - OR-
      Ph.D. or equivalent Doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related;

      -OR-
      An appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a Master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.)

      Work Experience : Your resume must clearly document the following for each block of work experience; the beginning day, month and year the work assignment started and ended; the hours worked per week; position title, and series and grade if applicable; and description of duties performed. This information must be provided for each permanent, temporary, or seasonal appointment/work assignment or volunteer work and should be clearly documented as a separate block of time. Incomplete, inaccurate, or conflicting work history may not be credited for qualifications purposes. This can result in an applicant not being considered for the position.

      Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). 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.
  • About the company

      The United States Department of Agriculture, also known as the Agriculture Department, is the federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food. It aims to meet the needs of commercial farming and livestock food production, promotes agricultural trade and production, works to assure food safety, protects natural resources, fosters rural communities and works to end hunger in the United States and internationally.