SUPERVISORY PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Full Job Description

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides leadership on food and agriculture issues based on public policy, the best available science and effective management.

The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) links U.S. agriculture to the world, improves foreign market access for U.S.

food and agricultural products, builds new markets, improves the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provides food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries.

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: 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: Experience developing and implementing innovative communications strategies to promote TFAA/FAS goals and accomplishments.

Experience in planning and scheduling work to be accomplished and establishing priorities and deadlines for employees based upon workload and mission requirements.

Experience overseeing or assisting with the development and rollout of FAS style guides, branding and visual standards, and internal, and external communications policies and procedures.

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. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. 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.
• Manages the Communications team’s efforts to plan, formulate, and implement specialized internal and external communications programs and initiatives for FAS.
• Provides strategic guidance for FAS media relations and functions as the FAS Press Secretary.
• Develops and implements creative approaches to engage with non-traditional audiences using social media platforms and guides the social media messages and activities at overseas Posts.
• Provides advice and counsel to employees, interviews, and selects candidates for positions within the organization, makes promotions and reassignments, hears, and resolves complaints from employees, initiates disciplinary action if required.
• Incumbent is responsible for developing and expanding proactive engagement with reporters at international, national, regional, and local media outlets to publicize the successes and mission of FAS.
• 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.