The position is located in the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA), reporting to the Secretary of State. SPEHA’s mission is to lead diplomatic engagement on U.S. hostage and wrongful detention policy. The incumbent for this position serves as a Senior Public Affairs Specialist and participates in a group within the external affairs team responsible for SPEHA’s external engagementportfolio.

Duties

Advises senior officials on public engagement efforts to raise awareness about, increase understanding of, and develop tools to resolve and deter hostage taking and wrongful detentions. Advances efforts to ensure hostage and wrongful detainees and their families are included in the development of U.S. Government policies and key Department initiatives. Leads analysis and development of public affairs polices relating to hostage and wrongful detention issues. Leads development of public affairs policies, plans, and strategies and works collaboratively with peers and managers within S/SPEHA and across the Department and interagency. Develops communications strategies for key policy initiatives and issues related to hostage taking and wrongful detentions.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Obtain/maintain eligibility to access Sensitive Compartmented Information
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement. Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F. Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience leading engagement efforts related to U.S. hostage and wrongful detention policies. Experience developing public affairs policies, plans, and outreach strategies. Experience developing speeches, press guidance, social media and other messaging products. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 position.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Contacts

• Address U.S. Department of State 1999 Dyess Ave. (Charleston Reg. Ctr.) Charleston, South Carolina 29405 United States
• Name: Tracey Leath
• Phone: (771) 204-3169
• Email: [email protected]