Public Affairs Specialist

Base salary listed - Salary is dependent upon the associated duty station which will be determined upon hire. You may review salary on these locality tables OPM Locality Pay Tables based on these Locality Pay Area Definitions.

Open to all U.S. citizens under: USGS-DEN-24-12373094-DE-MDB

As a Public Affairs Specialist within the Office of Communication and Publishing, some of your specific duties will include:

• Helps develop and maintain relationships with key government officials at the federal, state and local level, ensuring their offices are informed of USGS science that may inform key policy and management decisions.

• Understanding of scientific concepts and content to effectively communicate the fundamental scientific principles behind technical products. Or the ability to learn the aforementioned items rapidly.

• Plans and coordinates special events such as news conferences, congressional field meetings, high ranking official visits, national conferences or events, partner and stakeholder events, photo and video opportunities and other functions.

• Establishes and maintains relationships with media, elected officials and their staff, other governmental agencies and stakeholders and responds to their requests for information about USGS science, programs, research studies, initiatives and events.

• Independently researches, writes and prepares content for public dissemination that highlights USGS science and activities and develops strategies for reaching audiences by writing and executing communication plans and talking points.

Definitions:

UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION: A year of undergraduate education is 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours or the equivalent of college study. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent was a prerequisite.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: In the absence of specific graduate program information, a year of graduate education is 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours of graduate level college course work, or the number of credit hours the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full time study. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

For GS-11:

Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-11 level:

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education (54 semester hours or 81 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or LL.M., in a field of study which provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR One year of appropriate specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service that is in or related to public affairs and that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of such experience could include: (1) preparing communication plans and materials such as brochures, correspondence, briefing papers, speeches/talking points, news releases, news and feature articles, video scripts, public service announcements, or other content for intranet/internet/social media accounts in support of a public affairs or outreach program; (2) responding to media or stakeholder inquiries; (3) working with subject matter experts to explain scientific or technical concepts in communication products designed to be understood by lay audiences; and (4) following appropriate protocols prior to releasing information publicly.

OR A combination of successfully completed graduate level education as described above that is beyond the second year of progressive graduate study and specialized experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

For GS-12:

Applicants must have one year of appropriate specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service that is in or related to public affairs and that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of such experience could include: (1) developing strategic communication plans and preparing related materials such as brochures, speeches/talking points, news releases, news and feature articles, video scripts, public service announcements, or other content for intranet/internet/social media accounts in support of a public affairs or outreach program; (2) serving as a point of contact for media inquiries and briefing media, government officials, and/or stakeholders on an organization's programs in a way that is relevant to public interests and current affairs; (3) advising subject matter experts on how to translate scientific or technical concepts and identifying communication approaches and products that are most likely to resonate with lay audiences; (4) identifying key messages and following appropriate protocols prior to releasing information publicly; and (5) monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of public affairs tactics and strategies.

NOTE: Evidence of specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Please provide such documentation on resume.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.