This position is located at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), within NRCS at the State Office or designated location within the state. This position is a Public Affairs Specialist located in a designated Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Office in the planning and carrying out information and public affairs activities in the assigned work area.

Duties

Develops materials using a variety of media including newspapers and magazines, radio and television, exhibits, visual aids, newsletters and audiovisual presentations. Assists lead/state Public Affairs Specialist in planning and coordinating an effective public information program throughout the State. Assists with the development of public involvement campaigns by preparing information materials. Establishes and maintains effective professional relationships with local groups and with area representatives of media and conservation organizations concerned with agricultural and environmental issues. Organizes and coordinates print and broadcast media interviews with agency personnel. Maintains the imagery files and directory for the State. Writes, assembles, edits, and reviews stories and activities for inclusion in the state and national campaigns.

Requirements

• 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.
• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• 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 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: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-09 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level). Specialized Experience for the GS-9: To qualify for the GS-09 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include performing work advising management on the formulation and articulation of agency policy and designing, executing, and evaluating the information programs that communicate agency policies, programs, and actions to various audiences. Examples of specialized experience include: Writing and editing news articles, feature stories, news releases, and selecting photographs to accompany releases which transmit information concerning the nature and purpose of an organization's programs or projects; Composing reports, talking points, briefing packets and power point presentations for dissemination to the media or social media platforms; Assisting with 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 a program. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-09 level: 2 year(s) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Master's degree, or Master's equivalent graduate degree in Public Affairs, Business Administration, Management, English, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, etc. or a course of study directly related to the position. 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. Specialized Experience for the GS-11: To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or higher in Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. This experience must include performing work advising management on the formulation and articulation of agency policy and designing, executing, and evaluating the information programs that communicate agency policies, programs, and actions to various audiences. Examples of specialized experience include: Writing and disseminating, to local and national print broadcast media representatives or social media platforms, news releases and feature articles; Organizing and coordinating social media, print and broadcast media interviews with staff members, and oversees all arrangements with the media involving agency activities; Establishing and maintaining working relationships with local groups and representatives, national organizations, and the general public; Planning, executing, and evaluating the effectiveness of information and communication strategies to ensure organizational goals are met; Identifying agency communication outreach needs and priorities; Developing information and/or policy formulation materials (i.e., pertinent public affairs policies, programs, services, and activities) that inform the public and management of agency activities; and Advising management officials on potential public reactions to proposed programs and policies. OR Substitution of education in lieu of specialized experience for the GS-11 level: 3 year(s) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D. equivalent graduate degree in Public Affairs, Business Administration, Management, English, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, etc. or a course of study directly related to the position. 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. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: Administrative and Management Positions 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

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: Vanessa White
• Phone: 202-720-1669
• Email: [email protected]