Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Public Affairs, Edinburg, Texas, San Diego, California, or Washington, District of Columbia.

Duties

You will participate in policy-making meetings and conferences, serving as an advisor on issues related to identifying information that will further the Agency's mission and goals. You will also maintain working relationships with representatives of the media; Federal, state, and local governments; and members of professional, business, civic, and other public interest groups. This position starts at a salary of $103,409.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $134,435.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $134,435.00 (GS-13 Step 10). GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position.Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts. Salary: Salary listed reflects the rest of U.S. scale and, if applicable, will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or cost of living expenses of the duty location upon selection While serving as a Public Affairs Specialist, your duties will include: Managing news media coverage for the agency within their area of responsibility both during normal operations and at times of crisis, including developing relationships with media; pitching stories; creating products and activities to explain agency policies and procedures, or laws and regulations; responding to media inquiries both on the record as well as with background information as a spokesperson for the agency. Creating communication materials such as public affairs guidance, communication plans, media event plans, media advisories, news releases, responses to media queries, and agency statements. Implementing communication plans and measures communication performance. Arranging and staffing news media, particularly national news media, visits. Providing guidance, assistance, and consultation to the field offices, sectors, and branches concerning agency procedures relating to, and responding to, requests from media or the general public, specialized groups and communities, and governmental entities using agency services or affected by agency policies, programs, and operations. Maintaining relationships with "clients" within the organization, such as local leadership or program managers, to ensure the public affairs specialist is aware of operations as well as changes in legislation and regulations; develops guidance and communications plans in response to these agency activities, and serves as an advisor on all public affairs matter.

Requirements

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Managing news media coverage of agency programs and operations Creating communication materials such as public affairs guidance, communication plans, media event plans, social media posts, media advisories, news releases, blog and micro-blog posts, and statements on behalf of an organization. Maintaining communication with bloggers, newspaper reporters, correspondents and producers for radio and television stations, including national networks. Providing guidance, assistance, and consultation to the satellite locations concerning organizational procedures relating to, and responding to, specific requests from media. 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 05/23/2024. In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information, review the following links: Background investigation and the e-QIP process. Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period. Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be placed in the Well-Qualified category for this position, as described within this announcement. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this job announcement.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.

Contacts

• Address Office of Public Affairs Please read entire announcement Please apply online Washington, DC 20229 US
• Name: CBP Hiring Center
• Phone: 952-857-2932
• Email: [email protected]