Public Affairs Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protection Service (FPS), Springfield, Virginia.

Specialized Experience: GS-14: Applicant must demonstrate at least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-13 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing the following duties: Coordinating communication activities to support organizational objectives and ensure alignment with leadership guidance; Assisting with the development of public affairs plans to align local initiatives with department-wide communication goals; Analyzing communication metrics to assess program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement; Implementing policies and procedures for public affairs programs to monitor their application across regional offices.; and Participating in meetings with interagency or industry representatives to exchange information on communication strategies and initiatives.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.

Only two page resumes will be accepted and used to make an eligibility/qualifications determination.

Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying).

Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one), "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility.

The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

NOTE: 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. Essential Personnel: This position is designated as essential personnel.

Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of unscheduled leave or government closures due to weather, protests, acts of terrorism, or lack of funding.

Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 U.S.C.

§ 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as applicable). Major Duties:

The primary purpose of this position is to lead, manage, and coordinate organization-wide public affairs and communication strategies to ensure alignment with departmental objectives.

Duties performed: Leading the development of communication strategies that integrate public affairs priorities across all regions and headquarters offices.

Providing counsel to senior executives and regional directors on communication approaches for sensitive or high-visibility issues.

Maintaining awareness of evolving departmental policies to update and refine organization-wide communication guidance.

Coordinating with federal, regional, and private sector stakeholders to advance public affairs objectives and foster strategic partnerships.

Serving on advisory boards and committees to influence policy decisions impacting organization-wide communication programs.