This position is located in Alexandria, LA in USDA/Rural Development (RD). This position serves as the Public Information Officer (PIO) for a State Office, USDA, Rural Development (RD). Remote: NO

Duties

Conducts the public affairs program for the State, with responsibility for planning, developing, and communicating RD programs, policies, and activities to the State’s publics. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with representatives of the print and broadcast media, state legislative delegations, and state and local governments. Coordinates and develops a newsletter as well as articles for other non-RD publications, journals, magazines and newsletters providing information about the nature and purpose of State RD programs and activities. Ensures that State employees are appropriately involved in decision making activities.

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
• 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/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. For the GS-11 level: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates: Supporting public awareness campaigns by performing tasks such as monitoring the status of planned media events or conference; Developing proposed brochures, flyers, etc.; Developing information used by more senior staff to brief members of the general public; or Developing and disseminating factual information concerning an organization's programs or projects. OR Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related OR a Combination of education as described and specialized experience. For GS-12 level: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates thorough knowledge and understanding of established principles and practices of conducting a public information program. Specialized experience is defined as experience: Utilizing communication principles, methods, and techniques to develop information for public affairs activities, such as news releases, briefing papers, media advisories, web and social media posts, feature stories, fact sheets, and newsletter and magazine articles, for various target audiences; Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships within the agency and with media representatives in order to develop and disseminate coordinated messages; Designing and producing workshops, meetings and public outreach events with a variety of stakeholder groups, such as nonprofit organizations, state and local government officials, Congressional staff, and local associations; and Developing targeted media campaigns utilizing a diverse array of media platforms (i.e., YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) and products (i.e., Adobe Creative Suite, Drupal, GovDelivery) to communicate information to the public about agency programs. Equivalent combination of education and experience are not qualifying for this grade level. NOTE: To be considered for this position, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the GS-1035 series set forth in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards by the closing date of the announcement. A copy is available at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards 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

Education level for the GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related OR a Combination of education as described and specialized experience.

Education level for the GS-12: Equivalent combination of education and experience are not qualifying for this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Rural Development 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Shavon Johnson
• Email: [email protected]