This position is located on the Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy (PAPD) team in the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs’ Strategy, Communications, and Outreach unit (INL/SCO), which focuses on strategic planning, congressional affairs, public affairs and public diplomacy. The incumbent serves as a Public Affairs Specialist and works to increase public and media awareness in support of Bureau initiatives in the United States and targeted countries overseas.

Duties

Provides speakers with pertinent information (and insight) with respect to individual audiences, drafting talking points as appropriate. Researches and drafts answers to questions from the media on INL issues , both in writing and orally. Develops ideas, executes, and monitors social media and audio visual outreach. Coordinates with stakeholders on updates for the bureau’s website, including remarks, program information, reports, public announcements, and success stories. Identifies and summarizes national and international news items pertaining to narcotics trafficking , transnational crime, and instability, as well as INL programs and activities. Researches topics and details for speeches, providing substantive input for potential public remarks and clears throughout the Bureau,. At the GS-11 level, the incumbent performs essentially the same duties as outlined above; however, the scope and complexity of assignments are of less responsibility and independence and receives closer supervision than the GS-12 level.

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.
• 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. If you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.  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 applying for the GS-11 grade level must meet one of the following requirements: A. Have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience maintaining relationships with public affairs units from relevant entities (for example, government offices, NGOs, think tanks, or universities ). Experience drafting and clearing written and oral public affairs materials regarding an organization’s programs, policies, and goals.  Experience informing leadership of public attitudes, reactions, and opinion on an organization’s issues and key policies. Experience with social media and traditional news sources, including tracking public attitudes and opinions on organization’s issues, summarizing relevant news items, monitoring social media platforms and materials, or executing social media outreach.  OR B. Have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M. from an accredited college or university. OR C. Have a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience (as described above), which is equivalent to the GS- 09 level in the Federal Service. This experience and education together meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. Combination of Experience and Education: When an applicant has less than one year of specialized experience as described in the announcement, he or she may combine successfully completed graduate-level education with experience to meet the total qualification requirements. Generally, 18 graduate semester hours is equivalent to 1 full-time year of graduate study (your school and department determine what constitutes 1 full time year of graduate study). The percentage of specialized work experience and the percentage of graduate study must total at least 100%. Note: All applicants WILL BE required to submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you may lose consideration for this position. Applicants applying for the GS-12 grade level must meet the following requirements: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 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 establishing or strengthening relationships with public affairs units from relevant entities (for example, government offices, NGOs, think tanks, or universities ). Experience drafting, clearing, and delivering written and oral public affairs materials regarding an organization’s programs, policies, and goals.  Experience assisting with the preparation of leadership for public events, remarks, or press briefings. Experience with developing social media posts and campaigns There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-12 position.

Education

See the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements.

When an applicant has less than one year of specialized experience as described in the announcement, he or she may combine successfully completed graduate-level education with experience to meet the total qualification requirements. Generally, 18 graduate semester hours is equivalent to 1 full-time year of graduate study (your school and department determine what constitutes 1 full time year of graduate study). The percentage of specialized work experience (for example, 6 months equals 50%) and the percentage of graduate study (for example, 9 graduate hours for a GS-07 equals 50% where 18 graduate hours constitute a full time year) must total at least 100%.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: www.naces.org/members.php.

Contacts

• Address U.S. Department of State 1999 Dyess Ave. Charleston Reg. Ctr., E119B Charleston, South Carolina 29405 United States
• Name: S. Butler
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]