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Public Affairs Specialist (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Vacancy has expired

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Washington, DC

Employer:  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Job Type:  Full Time

Description

Duties

As a Public Affairs Specialist, you will:
  • Draft or edit news releases, media advisories and informational materials designed to further industry, media, and the public understanding of NHTSA’s mission and activities.
  • Interact with industry and consumer media organizations to distribute news and other information on traffic and vehicle safety issues.
  • Work with behavioral and vehicle safety staff to prepare and coordinate responses to inquiries from media organizations, the public, and other stakeholders to provide in-depth information on traffic and vehicle safety issues.
  • Support press conferences and other special events to support the NHTSA mission and priorities.

Creative, passionate, dynamic, and energetic are just a few characteristics for the ideal candidate who fills this position.  Crafting clear and effective content, the individual is a skilled communicator with a unique ability to get critical information to intended audiences.  The ideal candidate thrives under tight deadlines in a fast-paced public relations office while producing powerful, impactful content.  The individual can establish and maintain effective external working relationships with industry media, national and regional media outlets, industry associations, as well as internal working relationships.  Possessing an uncanny command of the written word, the ideal candidate will grow in this position and will continue to enhance these talents.  The individual is the consummate team-player who works cooperatively and effectively as part of a highly adaptable, spirited media relations team and is eager to take on challenging assignments and projects.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment
  • You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
  • You must meet specialized experience to qualify.
  • Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
  • Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.


CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
  • SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
  • GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel.  A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
  • PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
  • TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
  • DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
  • TELEWORK ELIGIBILITY: This position may be eligible for occasional and/or regularly scheduled telework.  The number of telework days approved will be determined by your immediate supervisor or manager following the agency’s telework policy and guidance. If participating in the telework program, you will be required to sign a telework agreement detailing agency telework policy requirements, working conditions, and expectations for the position.
  • NOTICE: Individuals considering employment with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration need to be aware of certain ethics requirements that apply to Federal employees. There is a one-year “cooling off” period during which a new Federal employee may not work on a matter that involves the employee's previous employer. In addition, depending on the job, you may be required to sell certain assets you hold (such as stocks) that would present a conflict of interest with the work you would perform if hired. For details about these restrictions, please visit: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/about-nhtsa/working-nhtsa


Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet either the education or specialized experience requirements for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the GS-09 on Experience,  you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-07 it must include:
  • Experience writing, editing, and presentation skills to create meaningful content in a variety of formats to transmit information effectively.
  • Experience preparing press releases and media advisories.
  • Experience compiling information from many, varied sources to present accurate information in a timely manner.

To qualify for the GS-09 on Education alone,  you must have 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or have been awarded a master's or equivalent graduate degree. You can also qualify based on a combination of graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience,  you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include:
  • Experience serving as a program liaison collaborating with technical staff to gather, evaluate, and interpret data into plain language for press releases and consumer advisories.
  • Experience researching, conducting interviews, writing, or editing feature articles or press releases to include traditional and digital media.
  • Experience developing and presenting approaches to supervisor for releasing critical or time-sensitive information to industry or consumer press.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone,  you must have:
3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
  • Knowledge and skills as a public affairs professional working under very tight deadlines acquiring information about different subjects and in analyzing, selecting, and presenting the information in a style, manner, and format that is accurate and suited to the requirements of the designated medium; strong writing and grammar skills for communicating to the public and media.
  • Knowledge experience working with reporters and/or editors daily.
  • Knowledge capability producing content using a strong, plain language voice.

  • For all types of consideration, 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

    For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link:https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4

    Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date.

    Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

    Additional information

    The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation

    This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

    Benefits

    A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits.

    Review our benefits

    Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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