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 supports the Public Affairs Program of State Offices by planning and carrying out information and public affairs activities in the assigned work area.

Duties

Analyzes information training and composes communication materials for use in the internal information and training programs. Obtains photographs and videos of agency projects, agricultural methods, resource problems and conservation techniques throughout the areas served and review photographs for quality. 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; and designing public meetings and workshops. Establishes and maintains effective professional relationships with local groups and with area representatives of media and conservation organizations regarding agricultural and environmental issues. Assists in the organization and coordination of public participation activities with appropriate staff for conservation activities and programs. Designs strategies and procedures to obtain input and opinions from a variety of audiences which are used for policy decisions within the Division of Conservation (DOC). Establishes and maintains contacts with news media representatives and arranges for television and radio coverage concerning conservation and/or provides scripts to media for release. Writes, assembles, edits, and reviews stories and activities for inclusion in the State Newsletter that represent activities of the state for the State Conservationist.

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/.
• 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 for GS-09: 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. (e.g. one year at the GS-7 grade level for consideration for the GS-09 grade level). Time in grade for GS-11: 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. (e.g. one year at the GS-9 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level). GS-9 Grade Level: Specialized Experience at the GS-09: To qualify for the GS-09 grade level, you must possess at least one-year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level or higher in the Federal service (or private sector equivalent). This experience must include providing administrative and information management support relative to public affairs' operations and using a variety of messaging campaigns to collect, assemble, prepare, and disseminate information to convey agency policies, programs, and actions to internal and external audiences. OR Substitution of Education in Lieu of Specialized Experience: Possess two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in public affairs or a course of study directly related to the position. OR Possess 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. GS-11 Grade Level: Specialized Experience at the GS-11: To qualify for the GS-11 grade 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 completing administrative and information management tasks relative to public affairs' operations by planning and implementing communications strategies that convey organizational policies, programs, and actions to internal and external audiences and collaborating with senior staff members of the public affairs team communication efforts. OR Substitution of Education for Experience: Possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M. if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work; OR Combination of Education and Experience: Possess a combination of graduate-level education and experience, as described above, which 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: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1000/public-affairs-series-1035/ 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: Veronica McRoy
• Email: [email protected]