Public Affairs Specialist

The mission of Planning, Performance, & Integration Office (PPIO) is to advance the enterprise-wide strategic direction of the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) in achieving its goals and objectives. PPIO manages and moves forward WHS organizational performance by delivering frameworks that establish cross-functional standards, conducting performance management, and ensuring integration efforts, outreach, and engagement are aligned and deliver strategic outcomes for WHS and its customers.

Major duties

The Public Affairs Specialist is charged with advancing both internal and external communications strategies that promote the overarching mission and objectives of the WHS. Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following: Formulates, executes, and evaluates comprehensive strategic communication and public affairs plans; establishing information policies, translating complex organizational priorities into clear messaging, and advising senior leadership on potential public, congressional, and media reactions to proposed policies or agency actions. Develops, designs, and disseminates diverse public outreach materials across print, broadcast, and digital platforms; leading strategic workshops, seminars, and focus groups with departmental stakeholders and external organizations to drive program participation and evaluate public perception. Directs and manages comprehensive internal communication programs to foster workforce cohesion and mission alignment; authoring enterprise newsletters, digital communications, and informational materials for headquarters and field offices (including foreign national personnel). Establishes, maintains, and coordinates active working relationships with national and international news media representatives; organizing media interviews, producing press materials, and monitoring mass and specialized media coverage to evaluate and improve public awareness of agency benefits.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below. You may qualify at the GS-13 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your experience: Planning and executing strategic public affairs campaigns to translate complex organizational policies and programs into clear, consistent public messages; managing internal communication channels (such as newsletters, employee surveys, and digital platforms); and leading community outreach workshops to drive stakeholder engagement. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume. Your resume may not exceed two (2) pages. For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the duration of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration. Read more about what should I include in my Federal resume at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: Federal agencies treat active-duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, as part of their application package, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, indicating the service member is otherwise eligible and will be discharged or released within 120 days from the date of submission. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. This "certification" must include your rank, dates of active-duty service, type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable), and date any terminal leave will begin. It must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters. Active-duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible." Members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if they are on terminal leave. Current or Former Political Appointees: Agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career Senior Executive Service employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources (HR) Office. Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.