Public Affairs Specialist - Sacramento, United States - U.S. Department of the Interior

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    Description

    Clarification from the agency

    Open to all U.S. Citizens. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles.

    Duties

    As a Public Affairs Specialist your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Serves as a senior Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) spokesperson with reporters and the media on sensitive, complex, highly visible, and controversial matters, some of which may have international significance; and responds to inquiries for information and interviews from national and international wire services, television and radio networks, nationally and internationally circulated newspapers and magazines, the legal community, interest groups, consultants, and the public.
  • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with representatives of the news media, representatives of nongovernment
    organizations (NGOs), and with FWS employees in the headquarters, regional and field offices; Department of the Interior (DOI); public affairs specialists; and employees of other agencies, bureaus, and offices.
  • Authors and produces a wide variety of FWS media advisories, news releases, official statements, talking points, announcements, letters, internal memoranda, and related materials concerning assigned program areas; Produces a wide variety of informational products for print, web, social media, and multimedia to inform and educate the public and promote FWS programs; and determines appropriate levels of review and clearance.
  • Provides guidance, including written and in-person briefings, to FWS personnel and to the DOI Office of Communications concerning the treatment activities associated with assigned program areas that may, at times, be sensitive or controversial.
  • Provides logistical support including making physical and logistical arrangements, informing the media outlets of these events, and developing and coordinating preparation and review of media kits, fact sheets, and other background or support material.
  • Requirements

    Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Resume (See "Required Documents"). Failure to provide ALL required information on your resume will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all information is provided on resume.
  • Eligibility and Supporting documents - You will ONLY be considered for the eligibilities that you select "yes" to AND submit the required supporting documentation, as listed in the Required Documents section.
  • Suitability for employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • Driver's License: Selectees MAY be required to possess and maintain a valid State driver's license at all times during their tenure.
  • Probationary Period: Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Individuals assigned male at birth after must be registered for Selective Service. To verify registration, visit
  • Qualifications

    Only experience and education obtained by 05/21/2024 will be considered.

    This vacancy will utilize a multiple step assessment process to determine the qualifications of applicants. The first step will consist of applicants completing an occupational questionnaire related to the major duties and competencies of the position. The second step will consist of applicant resumes being reviewed by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) panel for related position competencies against a pre-determined rating schedule. This process will determine the final rating of the applicant for possible referral to the hiring official for hiring consideration.

    Minimum Qualification GS-12

    One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Examples of experience may include: 1) Developing, reviewing and editing outreach and communication plans and associated outreach materials, such as news releases, briefing papers, talking points, media advisories, and frequently asked questions on science and conservation issues and topics; 2) Writing and producing a wide variety of other informational products for print, video, web and multimedia, such as web and social media posts, feature stories, blogs, fact sheets, and newsletter and magazine articles. This experience is clearly described in my resume.

    Minimum Qualification GS-13

    One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Examples of experience may include: 1) Working with public affairs and congressional affairs specialists to create stories related to natural resource conservation priorities with national and regional news media, trade and business media, and other specialty, conservation media outlets; 2) Working with state fish and wildlife agencies, policymakers, and state and/or federal legislators, as well as a broad cross section of organizations in the nonprofit conservation community; 3) Providing guidance to agency leadership on potential reception of information by both supportive and hostile audiences, to include recommendations on best courses of action in public information. This experience is clearly described in my resume.

    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.

    Education

    This job does not have an education qualification requirement.