Incumbent performs a variety of activities in planning and implementing a comprehensive public affairs program. See "Education" section for contact information.

Duties

Duties listed are at the Full Performance (GS-11) Level. Responsible for informing interested publics, including other agencies, organizations, and individuals, of Forest Service activities and programs. Coordinates the public participation program which is designed to involve interested publics in the decision making processes. Advises managers as to the most effective methods of collecting and analyzing public comments. Organizes and conducts public meetings, workshops, field trips, or other forums designed to foster public participation. Advises management of the probable public reaction to specific proposals, policies, or actions. Anticipates the views of organized groups and advises as to how to present the Forest Service position on controversial issues. Analyzes or supervises the analysis and evaluation of public comments on Forest Service management issues. Makes recommendations on best techniques to use in organizing analysis and evaluation process. Reports back to involved publics on the handling of their concerns. Writes, edits, and prepares news releases and programs for press, radio, and television. Contact with print and broadcast media on a regional and national level is required for some issues which generate regional or national interest. Duties listed are at the Full Performance (GS-9) Level. Participate in unit planning, organizing, and executing information, external relations, public involvement, and environmental education activities to develop experience in various phases of public affairs. Plan news, features, and articles featuring agency programs or activities to inform internal and external audiences. Prepare information releases and programs for the press, radio, schools, and television to disseminate information about the mission, programs, and activities of the agency. Assists in producing news, features, and articles for the purpose of publicizing information about the agency.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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.

Qualifications

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. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Specialized Experience Requirement: GS-7: Specialized experience is defined as three or more of the following: Participated in planning, organizing, and executing information, external relations, public involvement, and environmental education activities on the unit to develop experience in various phases of public affairs; and/or interacted with the public (e.g. provided organizational information); and/or assisted with preparation of information releases, brochures, pamphlets and presentations to the public; and/or drafted information on assigned portions of an organization's programs. OR One full year of graduate level education; OR an appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience; OR Superior Academic Achievement (go to this site determine if you are eligible: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. GS-9: Specialized experience is defined as three or more of the following: Prepared and presented speeches for special interests groups, schools, and the general public; and/or answered routine requests for information about a large organization's programs; and/or developed written materials, feature stories, news releases and magazine articles to disseminate organizational activities for internal and external use; and/or advised management on the probable public reaction to specific proposals, policies and actions. OR a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related; OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. GS-11: Specialized experience is defined as three or more of the following: Responded in oral and written form, to requests for information by determining the nature of the data required and collected and assembled the material using the appropriate format and style based on needs and organization practices; and/or assisted in evaluation and analysis of public comments on management issues, identified areas to be addressed, characteristics and needs of the target audience, and communicated techniques most appropriate; and/or developed recommended communication approaches and drafted material for supervisor's approval; and/or developed and presented informational audio-visual material using new technologies and social media. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (coursework directly related to position being filled); OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). 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

There are no education requirements for this position.

Location Information

Hot Springs, AR - Mary Wood at [email protected] (Full Performance Level is GS-11)
Russellville, AR - Mary Wood at [email protected] (Full Performance Level is GS-11)
Golden Pond, KY - James Thweatt at [email protected] (Full Performance Level is GS-11)
Gainesville, GA - Danielle Monroe at [email protected] (Full Performance Level is GS-11)
Roanoke, VA - Gwen Mason at [email protected] (Full Performance Level is GS-11)
Asheville, NC - Cavan Fitzsimmons at [email protected] (Full Performance Level is GS-9)

Contacts

• Address USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT. Albuquerque, NM 87109 US
• Name: HRM Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-372-7248 X2
• Email: [email protected]