Public Affairs Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is in the Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education (OPACE).

The mission of OPACE is to develop and conduct public information campaigns to inform and educate a variety of audiences, including Congress, the media, industry, consumers, and employees.

The employee in this position serves as an expert in public affairs and is responsible for developing and providing staff direction to the dissemination of information policies and programs in support of FSIS goals.

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions and specialized experience, as defined below.

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.

52 weeks at the GS-12 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 level.

(Must submit your most recent non-award SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade, step, etc.) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience: GS-13 Specialized Experience: You must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service performing duties which include: Applying public affairs communication principles, methods, and techniques to plan, design, and execute information to stakeholders, including employees, media, and audiences.

Drafting key messages, press releases, fact sheets, talking points, communication plans, speeches, employee communications, feature articles, responses to media inquiries, media statements, op-ed pieces, and other materials that communicate goals to internal and external audiences.

Speaks with reporters to respond to media inquiries, give them guidance, and shape their stories.

Developing, planning, and managing news conferences, preparing leadership officials and subject matter experts for media interviews and moderating the interviews.

Using oral and written communication principles, practices, techniques, and methods, and interpersonal relations practices.

Explaining issues to groups or individuals interested in an organization's programs. Advising and providing recommendations on communicating about emerging or controversial issues.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: OPM Administrative and Management Group Standard Major Duties:

• Participates with the Director in the overall formulation of current information, including press releases, fact sheets, talking points, communication plans, speeches, employee communications, feature articles, radio and television interviews, etc.
• Supports the food recall committee as the public affairs specialist responsible for drafting the press releases that relate to the recall of products.
• Participates with the Director on strategic planning to improve media, Congressional, and stakeholder (including employee) relations.
• Develops, plans, and manages news conferences, prepares leadership officials and subject matter experts for media interviews and moderates the interviews
• Plans other activities to keep the media and other intended audiences informed of actions and activities.
• Maintains relationships with program officials and others to ensure written communication documents are technically accurate.
• Works with reporters to respond to their inquiries.