Public Affairs Specialist

Summary Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Public Affairs Specialist. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment. Duty Location: Washington, District of Columbia THIS IS NOT A REMOTE POSITION. Applicants must reside within the local commuting area of the Washington, District of Columbia, duty location. Responsibilities The primary duties of this position are: Supports a broad range of Reclamation work including the Policy & Administration; Power and Water Operations, Security, Safety and Law Enforcement; Management Service Office; and Technical Service Center. with the responsibility for supporting planning, developing and communicating the organization's programs, policies and activities to publics interested in the activities of these offices. Coordinates requests from the Department of the Interior Office of Communication with subject matter experts, works with members of that staff regularly. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with representatives of the print and broadcast media, digital and social media, business, industry, civic, education, and specialized organizations including national organizations interested in the Bureau of Reclamation. Writes and edits news releases and features, fact sheets, content for social media, and other information materials for media representatives and other stakeholders. Ensures all written content is concise, clearly presented, accurate, appropriate, and reflective of official policies and positions. Responds to information requests from the news media, special interest groups, elected officials and tribes, other regional staff and the general public and provides responses in written and verbal form. Develops and implements communication strategies that would utilize tools such as news releases, fact sheets, talking points, presentations, feature articles, speeches and brochures, audiovisual clips/segments and other outreach materials to target appropriate audiences. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. You must be suitable for federal employment, determined by a background investigation. You must submit a resume and supporting documentation (see Required Documents). You must submit eligibility documents for veterans consideration (see Required Documents). You must meet specialized experience requirements (see Qualifications). You must live within a 50-mile radius of the official duty station. Who May Apply: 30% or More Disabled Veterans Bureau of Reclamation Employees (Competitive) Bureau of Reclamation Employees (Non-Competitive) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Department of the Interior Employees (Competitive) Department of the Interior Employees (Non-Competitive) Federal Employees (Competitive Transfer) Federal Employees (Non-Competitive Transfer) Former Federal Employees (Competitive Reinstatement) Former Federal Employees (Non-Competitive Reinstatement) Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A) Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Military Spouses Miscellaneous Appointing Authorities Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers Public Lands Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority Special Hiring Authorities Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Qualifications In order to be rated as qualified for this position, the HR Office must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - this information must be clearly supported in the resume. To qualify at the GS-12 grade level, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-11 grade level in federal service having demonstrated experience in communications planning and implementation for a public affairs program that may deal with controversial issues of significant public interest; developing a dynamic and effective communication plan designed to educate the public about an organization's initiatives, programs, and operations; drafting, reviewing, and editing press releases, press statements, remarks, and speeches; developing and transmitting public information to the press, as a spokesperson for an organization; and establishing and maintaining working relationships with outside groups in achieving understanding with individuals indifferent to or having opposing points of view of an organization's policies and programs. Examples of specialized experience are not all inclusive. 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. Time-In-Grade: Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower-grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including time-in-grade restrictions and any selective placement factors if applicable, by 11/08/2024. Education This position does not allow substituting education for experience. Additional Information Initial consideration will be given to candidates whose applications have been received before the first cut-off date. Qualification and/or time-in-grade requirements must be met for those applications submitted by the first cut-off date. You may be required to serve an initial probationary period. Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and you may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including applicant rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/ This position is designated as a LOW RISK position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated SF85 Background Investigation (T1 or equivalent) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify registration with the Selective Service System or that the applicant is exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Go to: https://www.sss.gov This is a non-bargaining unit position and is not represented by a Union. Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.