Public Affairs Specialist

Full Job Description

This position may be filled on a full-time (40 hours per week) or part-time (16 to 32 hours per week) basis depending on candidate preference.

The full-time salary range including locality pay applicable to location: Albany: $92,344 to $120,050 Per Year Syracuse: $89,508 to $116,362 Per Year As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

This position is also being announced to applicants eligible to apply through Merit Staffing procedures under 26-NYN-12874121-MS.

To be qualified at the GS-12 level, you must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least work at the GS-11 level in Federal service, which has equipped you with the competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Specialized experience is defined as experience performing the following types of duties: planning and directing a comprehensive community outreach and public affairs program to educate the public on an organization's initiatives, programs, and operations; coordinating an organization's information program, responding in writing and orally to requests from media and various publics and special interest groups; establishing and maintaining effective and cooperative working relationships with media representatives, general public, and specialized groups; organizing and coordinating media interviews, press conferences, and presentations to organizations to enhance understanding of significant issues; developing and disseminating new information materials using a variety of formats, including news releases, fact sheets, and articles for publication and various social media platforms; arranging and conducting community relations activities and other special events, workshops, seminars, and meetings with various organizations to stimulate program participation and identify audience concerns; and collecting and analyzing views and opinions of various publics to evaluate program effectiveness and recommend modifications as needed.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.

If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.

To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria.

You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form.

Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.

If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.

To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria.

You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application.

Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Major Duties:

If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team to serve as the Community Outreach and Public Affairs Specialist for the United States Attorneys' Office (USAO) for the Northern District of New York administering programs to inform and educate the public and district, state, and region-wide audiences consisting of various special interest, social, economic, community, legal, and law-enforcement groups, associations, organizations, and agencies.

In addition, you will devise and implement programs to support the District's mission, goals, and objectives to include sensitive and controversial matters, which occasionally draw national media attention.

Typical work assignments will include: Planning, initiating, and implementing community outreach and public affairs campaigns to enhance understanding of the District's initiatives.

Responding in writing and/or orally to information requests from the media, specialized groups, and general public.

Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with media representatives and groups interested in District programs through the use of various social media platforms.

Organizing and coordinating media interviews with staff and developing and providing supporting materials as needed.

Analyzing the effectiveness and efficiency of the information, media relations, and community relations programs used to achieve greater understanding of the District's mission, goals, and objectives.

Arranging and conducting special events, workshops, seminars, and other meetings with various organizations to stimulate program participation, identify concerns, and motivate groups to conduct similar programs.

Advising and assisting other departmental components or federal agencies on carrying out community relations activities involving District programs.

Evaluating program effectiveness, advising District leadership, and recommending modifications when appropriate. Developing articles for distribution and publication.

Organizing press conferences and other media events to enhance the District's law enforcement message.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.