This position is located within the Communication and Executive Support (CES), Office of the Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The incumbent will serve as the Communications Director supervising the communications team.

Duties

Manages the Communications and Executive Support team's efforts to plan, formulate, and implement specialized internal and external communications programs and initiatives. Works with the Senior Director, Administrator, other officials within the agency and the Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs mission area to determine short-term and long-term priorities both internal and external for all agency communications. Assesses and evaluates effectiveness of communications activities and reports results to FAS leadership. Develop and expand proactive engagement with reporters at international, national, regional, agricultural industry and local media outlets to publicize the successes and mission of FAS. Develop innovative public communications materials. Oversees the FAS internal communications program, including development and implementation of policies and procedures, creation of messages, videos, events, and other communications materials Fosters a collaborative and positive team atmosphere, and ensures the communications team provides high-quality professional service to both internal and external customers. Reviews and clears all materials prepared by the communications teams directed to both internal and external audiences.

Requirements

• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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.
• 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 https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, 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 (i.e. GS-13 for GS-14 level). SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates experience: Supervising a communications team to plan, formulate, and implement specialized internal and external communications programs and initiatives for the Agency. Identifying causes or reasons for public misunderstanding or indifference to agency programs and policies and development of alternative communication strategies. Developing and implementing proactive press outreach strategies. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Foreign Agricultural Service Human Capital Management Division 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Tanja Blagmon
• Phone: 202-869-9068
• Email: [email protected]