Public Affairs Specialist ========================= ##### Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Overview -------- - ##### Open & closing dates 05/14/2019 to 05/21/2019 - ##### Service Competitive - ##### Pay scale & grade GS 11 - 12 - ##### Salary $62,236 to $96,978 per year - ##### Appointment type Permanent - ##### Work schedule Full-Time Location -------- 1 vacancy in the following location: - Bryan, TX 1 vacancy ##### Relocation expenses reimbursed Yes You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in
accordance with agency policy. ##### Telework eligible Yes as determined by agency policy - Duties ------ ### Summary This position serves as a Public Affairs Specialist on the assigned State Public Affairs Office (SPAO) staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) .The incumbent will serve as Public Affairs Specialist on the SPAO staff working closely with state NRCS leadership, the State Outreach Coordinator, Program Managers, Field Office staffs, Conservation Partners, local congressional representatives and others. Learn more about this agency ### Responsibilities - Communicates NRCS mission and vision throughout the assigned counties located in the state and to employees,conservation partners, landowners, and others. - Provides communication guidance and advice to state leadership and field staff to ensure that land managers, conservation partners, non-traditional audiences, policy-makers, and others are informed about NRCS programs and assistance. - Analyzes employee informational training needs for the state, and composes communication materials for use in internal informational and training programs. - Reviews and edits manuscripts from the zone for publications, technical reports, demonstration project plans, and papers presented at meetings and conferences. - Arranges for submission of feature articles, photographs, news stories, and other types of information for use by media and industry groups and partners. - Develops and carries out public information campaigns. - Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with other federal, state and local agencies and private organizations on resource issues relating to underserved audiences. ### Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position. ##### Supervisory status No ##### Promotion Potential 12 - #### Job family (Series) 1035 Public Affairs - Requirements ------------ ### Conditions of Employment - You must be a US Citizen or US National. - Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. - Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. - Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. - Direct Deposit ? Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. - Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/. - Must possess and maintain a valid state motor vehicle operator's license for the type of vehicle(s) operated to perform the duties of this position. ### Qualifications • *All applicants must meet all qualification (i.e. Basic Education Requirements, Specialized Experience Requirement) and eligibility (e.g.** time-in-grade, general restriction on movement after competitive appointment/time-after-competitive appointment) **by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.** • *Specialized Experience:**To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through federal service, which has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: - Assist with coordinating and carrying out public affairs program requirements; experience in cooperative relations and communication techniques as it relates to fostering relationships and interests amongst all segments of the general public; planning, executing, and evaluating the effectiveness of information and communication strategies to ensure all organizational goals are met; identifying communication needs. Assist with developing information and/or policy formulation materials that inform the public as well as management of various agency activities (i.e., pertinent public affairs policies, programs, services, and activities); and advising management officials on potential public reactions to proposed programs and policies (i.e natural resources conservation programs). -**OR-** Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree **-OR-** Three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree -**OR-** LL.M. if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. • *Specialized Experience:**To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through federal service, which has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: - Coordinating and carrying out public affairs program requirements; extensive experience in cooperative relations and communication techniques as it relates to fostering relationships and interests amongst all segments of the general public; planning, executing, and evaluating the effectiveness of information and communication strategies to ensure all organizational goals are met; identifying communication needs. Developing information and/or policy formulation materials that inform the public as well as management of various agency activities (i.e., pertinent public affairs policies, programs, services, and activities); and advising management officials on potential public reactions to proposed programs and policies (i.e natural resources conservation programs). • *Experience Note**: 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:** Applicants must have completed at least 52 weeks at the next lower gradeor have held the same grade or higher grade level as the one advertised in order to be considered for this position. The OPM Qualification Standards for this position can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/\#url=List-by-Occupational-Series ### Education You must submit a copy of your college transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed, and grades received to verify all education requirements (i.e. substitution of education and/or basic education requirement). If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g. special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college for that particular course to ensure you are properly evaluated. Please note that qualifications determinations are based solely on the information submitted for each particular vacancy announcement. You must document all requirements on every vacancy; we cannot use previous determinations as a basis for rating. All required information must be received by the closing date of this announcement, and non-submission of all required documents/documentation will result in non-consideration. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. This information must be received by the closing date of this announcement. Non-submission of these documents will result in non-consideration. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Applicants must, therefore, only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation via this link. All education claimed by applicants will be verified accordingly. Important: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. Click on this link for more information. THE SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION IS NOT QUALIFYING FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL. ### Additional information - Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. - Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). - For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Veteran's Recruitment Act (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website. - This position is eligible for telework within the local commuting area of the position and other flexible work arrangements. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor. - Physical Demands: The majority of the work requires regular and recurring physical exertion related to rangeland management. This Involves the Incumbent to stand for long periods and/or walk on rough, uneven, or rocky terrain. - Work Environment: The work Is usually performed outdoors and involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks such as exposure to wind, adverse weather conditions, insects, poisonous plants, or pesticides. - **PLEASE NOTE:** In the interest of filling these positions as efficiently as possible, we are requiring the following: - If called for an interview, applicants must be available to interview within 3 business days of being contacted. - If a tentative job offer is extended, selectee will have 2 business days in which to accept or decline. - It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. See more information at: http://www.chcoc.gov/transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=6465 ### How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below: - Data Collection and Analysis; Written Communication; Information Dissemination; Information Management; Program Management;Communications and Media;Oral Communication;Public Outreach;Customer Service; Interpersonal Skills Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need only meet minimum qualifications to be referred. Note: If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right. To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10498812 ### Background checks and security clearance ##### Security clearance Other ##### Drug test required No ##### Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk ##### Trust determination process Suitability/Fitness - Required Documents ------------------ The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration. - Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications. - If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name & the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation. - Current and former Federal employees: - Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing you are/were in the competitive service, highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series & grade **AND** - Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. A performance plan is not an acceptable substitute. - Veteran Hiring Authorities: VEOA, VRA 30% Disabled Veterans: DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, that shows dates of service & discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. - If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. - Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment: Letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u). - Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330. - If claiming eligibility under a special hiring authority or an interchange agreement with another merit system not listed above, see the requirements for that authority and submit the required supporting documentation. Go to: USAJOBS Hiring Path for Special Authorities or Special Hiring Authority for more information. #### If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. - Benefits -------- A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. - How to Apply ------------ Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this. To begin, click "Apply" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents. **NOTE**: If a document is resubmitted, it replaces the previous submission, which means the previous document is no longer available to the Human Resources Office. If you are adding to, rather than replacing a previous submission, you must upload both the old document and the new document. You must verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Applicants may combine all like required documents (e.g. SF-50s or veteran docs) into one or more files and scan for uploading into the application. Each file must not exceed 3MB. Grouping like documents into files will simplify the application process. Documents must be in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, JPG, PDF, PNG, RTF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Uploaded documents may not require a password, digital signature, or other encryption to open. ### Agency contact information ### Delise Mahoney ##### Phone 919-873-2153 ##### Email delise.mahoney@usda.gov ##### Address Natural Resources Conservation Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US Learn more about this agency ### Next steps Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS to check your application status. We expect to make a final job offer approximately 40 days after the deadline for applications - Fair & Transparent ------------------ The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. ### Equal Employment Opportunity Policy The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. - Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants ### Reasonable Accommodation Policy Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when: - An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job. - An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace. - An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events. You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about disability employment and reasonable accommodations or how to contact an agency. #### Legal and regulatory guidance - Financial suitability - Social security number request - Privacy Act - Signature and false statements - Selective Service - New employee probationary period This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/533607600. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered
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