This position is located on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Hood River, Oregon. The incumbent performs a wide variety of activities in planning and implementing a comprehensive public affairs program for the Forest. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Nicolas Granum at 541-645-3731 or at [email protected]

Duties

Duties are at the full performance level. Participates in the development and implementation of public affairs communication plans, program strategies and techniques for dealing with addressing critical and complex public issues. Coordinates, implements, and evaluates a Forest’s communication program, with responsibility of informing employees about Forest, National, and Regional philosophies and culture, practices, programs, positions, and initiatives. Represents the Forest in meetings and discussions involving individuals, groups, and organizations working in support of, or opposing, the policies, programs, and work of the Forest. Analyzes public reaction and recommends changes to improve understanding. Recommends methods of minimizing misconceptions and improving understanding of Regional direction. Organizes, coordinates and implements effective employee and public meetings, workshops, field trips, or other forums designed to foster employee and public participation. Uses a variety of communications methods and techniques (i.e., written, oral, visual and personal) in devising the appropriate communication method for each public affairs campaign

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or 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.
• 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.gov

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Specialized Experience Requirement: For the GS-9: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service. Qualifying specialized experience includes meeting one or more of the following: Prepare and present speeches for special interests groups, schools, and the general public; Answer routine requests for information about the agency and its programs; Present programs to groups on agency programs and activities; Organize and coordinate print and broadcast news and information media interviews with key agency officials; Review print, broadcast, and internet media to analyze public awareness and attitudes regarding agency and activities; and/or advise management on the probable public reaction to specific proposals, policies and actions. OR a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D., if related OR An appropriate combination of specialized experience and education (only graduate education in excess of 18 semester hours may be used to qualify applicants for this grade level). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. For the GS-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal Service. Qualifying specialized experience includes meeting one or more of the following: Responded in oral and written form, to requests for information by determining the nature of the data required and collecting and assembling the material using the appropriate format and style based on needs and organization practices; Assisted in evaluation and analysis of public comments on management issues; identified areas to be addressed, characteristics and needs of the target audience, and communication techniques most appropriate; Developed recommended approaches and drafted material for supervisor's approval; Developed and presented informational audio-visual material using new technologies and social media. OR a Ph.D. or equivalent Doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related OR an appropriate combination of specialized experience and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a Master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.). The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. For the GS-12: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal Service. Qualifying specialized experience includes meeting one or more of the following: Established and maintained effective working relationships at multiple levels within an organization to develop and disseminate coordinated messages that accurately address organizational programs; Prepared written materials to promote the organization's position on a variety of sensitive, controversial and/or complex issues; Designed and tailored meetings and public involvement strategies to audiences that involved a degree of controversy. Work Experience: Your resume must clearly document the following for each block of work experience: the beginning day, month and year the work assignment started and ended; the hours worked per week; position title, series and grade if applicable; and description of duties performed. This information must be provided for each permanent, temporary, or seasonal appointment/work assignment, or volunteer work and should be clearly documented as a separate block of time. Incomplete, inaccurate, or conflicting work history may not be credited for qualifications purposes. This may result in an applicant's loss of consideration for the position. 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. TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. This requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

See above for education that may be qualifying for the specific grade level.

Contacts

• Address USDA Forest Service HRM Contact Center DO NOT MAIL IN APPLICATIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE ANNOUNCEMENT. Albuquerque, NM 87109 US
• Name: HRM Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-372-7248 X2
• Email: [email protected]