The incumbent will serve as Public Affairs Specialist working closely with state leadership, the State Outreach Coordinator, Program Managers, Field Office staffs, Conservation Partners, local congressional representatives and others. The primary purpose of this position is to carry out the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) information, awareness, outreach, and strategic marketing programs to communicate NRCS policies, programs, services and activities.

Duties

Carries out the information, awareness, outreach, and strategic communication and marketing programs across the zone to communicate policies, programs, services and activities. Works with senior leaders to develop and implement guidance and recommendations on strategic planning and implementation of resource outreach to all customers. Identifies and assists with the planning, design, and preparation of effective exhibits, posters, and other visual material for display at meetings and other public forums. Identifies and assists with the planning, design, and preparation of effective outreach materials, including fact sheets, postcards, flyers, mailers, and other visual materials for identified target audiences. Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with other federal, state and local agencies, and private organizations on conservation across private lands. Utilizes traditional and non-traditional media outlets to inform current and potential customers about programs, technical assistance, and conservation accomplishments. Works with local and state media contacts to communicate messages and outcomes.

Requirements

• 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. If selected you will be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are not able to reimburse any fees incurred for fingerprints.
• 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

Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered for the GS-11 level: Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as writing and developing articles, feature stories, news releases, and photography; composing reports, talking points, briefing packets and power point presentations; providing guidance in the development and implementation of internal and external marketing, outreach programs, and public affairs plans to communicate programs and services; and assisting with the planning, design and preparation of visual information material related to all programs. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-11 level: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related; OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, may be used to qualify for this position. This combination must have equipped you with the necessary knowledge and/or experience to successfully perform the duties of this position. Combinations of experience and education must total at least 100% as outlined in OPM Qualifications policy. Applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered for the GS-12 level: 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. For this position, specialized experience is defined as developing, coordinating, and carrying out public information programs to communicate policies, programs, services, and strategic marketing and program activities to an internal and external audience; Establishing and maintaining work relations with representatives to provide and develop information and respond to legislative questions. Note: There is no education substitution for the GS-12 level. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-ADMIN. 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 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

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: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.

Contacts

• Address Natural Resources Conservation Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Tamika DeJesus
• Phone: 919-873-2071
• Email: [email protected]