Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource. This position is located in Vernal, Utah. Information about Vernal and the surrounding area can be found here. We expect to fill one vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

Duties

This position serves as a Public Affairs Specialist for the Green River District. Leads the District Public Affairs program providing seamless internal coordination across multiple levels of the organization. Provides expertise and support in planning and implementing inclusive external affairs programs for issues that are sensitive, controversial or of high public visibility. Assists managers and staff at the District Office and/or Field Office level by providing public affairs support as needed for specific projects and issues related to public lands and natural resources. Provides guidance on written and oral communications, media relations, social media content, public participation and other general public affairs planning as needed. Works in coordination with the State Offices, District Offices and/or Field Offices to support national initiatives and programs on a state or local level. Works with outside agencies and organizations to promote understanding, support and cooperation. Works directly with news media to promote timely and accurate news coverage. Serves as spokesperson on various topics that could include controversial issues. Conceives, writes and distributes materials to communicate information about Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issues, programs and activities to key publics. Represents the BLM and coordinates participation in outreach opportunities with Congressional staffs, intergovernmental agencies, non­governmental organizations and other public stakeholders. Tracks, researches and analyzes key policies and issues affecting the BLM.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Be sure to read the 'How to Apply' and 'Required Documents' Sections.
• You cannot hold an active real estate license: nor can you have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
• Direct Deposit Required.
• Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
• Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
• May require a one year probationary period.

Qualifications

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience. To qualify at the GS-11 level you must meet the following: Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-09 level comparable in difficulty and complexity to perform the duties of a Public Affairs Specialist. Qualifying specialized experience includes: communicating information about an organization's programs, policies, initiatives or other relevant information to the public; writing a broad array of written materials, such as news releases, feature stories, briefing papers or correspondence for internal and external sources; presenting factual information products to a diverse audience; and coordinating sensitive media inquiries. OR Education: To qualify based on education you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three (3) full years (54 semester hours) of graduate-level education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field of study. OR Combination of Education and Experience: You may meet qualifications requirement for this position with an equivalent combination of specialized experience and appropriate graduate education. Graduate level education must demonstrate the difficulty and complexity to do the work of this position. Only graduate level education in excess of 36 semester hours may be combined with experience. To qualify at the GS-12 level you must meet the following: Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 level comparable in difficulty and complexity to perform the duties of a Public Affairs Specialist. Qualifying specialized experience includes: developing communication strategies and plans to maintain public awareness; developing and managing internal and external strategic communications projects, including producing press releases and implementing communications plans; utilizing data from a wide array of sources to advise managers and program leads on potential reaction to agency activities; and serving as a point of contact for media queries; presenting factual information that is clear and meaningful to the intended audience. Please note there are no educational substitutions at 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, 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. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level. Physical Demands: The work is generally sedentary and does not require unusual physical effort. Most of the work is performed in an office setting. Driving a car or pickup truck is periodically required. The work often requires walking outdoors and travel in light aircraft, helicopters, and off-road vehicles. Long work days are occasionally required to meet deadlines and resolve specific problems. Work Environment: Most of the work is performed in an office setting although travel to field sites or other BLM/government offices is often required. Attendance at meetings at night or on weekends is sometimes required. Incumbent will adhere to all safety rules and regulations as prescribed in manuals/supplements or by the designated Safety Officer.

Education

If using education to qualify, submit a copy of ALL your college transcripts or a list of ALL college courses that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. Upon selection, official transcripts must be received prior to appointment. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that your education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Contacts

• Address BLM Utah State Office BLM Utah State Office, UT-953 400 West 200 South Suite 500 Salt Lake City, UT 84101 US
• Name: BLM Utah HR Recruitment Team
• Email: [email protected]