Public Affairs Specialist

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements.

Specialized Experience Requirement: GS-14 level: You must have one-year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service.

Examples of specialized experience may include: Organized and led communication outreach efforts for a program of national scope and significance; developed and transmitted informational materials to a variety of audiences to enhance the understanding of certain attitudes and practices advocated by an organization for the planned and efficient use of natural resources; analyzed and evaluated program needs to advise officials of the information that should be made available to the public or approaches to take to attain program goals; established and maintained effective working relationships with agency leadership, specialists and representatives of external organizations; and used a variety of methods and techniques in achieving communication goals such as news releases, radio and television scripts, feature articles, personal appearances, news conferences, exhibits, brochures, and digital media.

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 REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Assists the FAM Chief of Staff in planning, organizing, and directing the overall strategic communication program in support of FAM mission, projects, and programs.,Participates in program policy formulation; advises on potential public reaction to proposed policies, plans, and actions; and determines appropriate communication strategies, goals, and objectives.,Assists the FAM Chief of Staff in providing advice and recommendations to the National Fire Leadership Team in the formulation of policies and development of communication plans and contingency plans.,Works with the Office of Communication to provide overall direction and authoritative guidance for all internal, external, media, web, print, mobile, and social media activities related to fire and aviation topics of the Forest Service.,Develops and maintains effective working relationships with USDA and the Forest Service employees, communication program representatives at the field level, news media, business professionals, civil leaders, and the general public.,Coordinates program activities for the FAM communication branch.,Provides leadership, allocates resources, and implements activities to accomplish Forest Service FAM multicultural organization direction and Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights requirements, goals, policies, and objectives.,Performs supervisory duties 20% or less of the time.