Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is essential to the success of the Foreign Agricultural Services' (FAS) mission of expanding exports of U.S.

agricultural products and promoting international trade and global food security.

This position serves as Senior Public Affairs Specialist, working closely with the Senior Director in planning and implementing the work of the FAS Communications team.

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

TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Collaborated with senior officials on short- and long-term priorities for Agency communications with foreign and domestic audiences, evaluating and reporting effectiveness.

Worked to develop innovative communications materials; implemented creative approaches to engage with non-traditional audiences using social media platforms; and provided guidance for activities overseas.

Managed a team's efforts to plan, formulate, and implement specialized internal and external communications programs and initiatives to align with Mission priorities, objectives, and goals.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

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. Major Duties:

• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Developing and expanding proactive engagement with reporters at international, national, regional, and local media outlets to publicize the successes and mission of FAS.
• Sets and adjusts short-term and long-term priorities for all agency communications, both internal and external, with foreign and domestic audiences.
• Analyzes and takes action to address urgent problems and issues and recommends courses of action to resolve them.
• Exercises delegated authority to plan, schedule and carry out major projects concerned with the implementation, analysis and evaluation of programs for the unit's effectiveness.
• Develops performance standards to improve production and quality of the work directed.
• Plans, organizes and directs FAS program area work and accepts and implements recommendations where the proposals involve substantial agency resources, require changes in established procedures or conflict with the desires of the activity managed.
• Provides authoritative technical advice and consultation on policy guidance to FAS officials concerning the complex, sensitive, controversial and timely issues that must be addressed by the Agency.
• Initiates and directs the preparation, issuance and interpretation of procedural rules guidelines and policies.