Skip to main content

This job has expired

Strategic Communications Specialist

Employer
Customs and Border Protection
Location
Washington, DC
Closing date
Oct 10, 2022
SummaryOrganizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within US Customs and Border Protection, Enterprise Services, Immediate Office of the Executive Assistant Commissioner located in Washington, DC.Learn more about this agencyHelpOverviewAccepting applicationsOpen & closing dates09/26/2022 to 10/07/2022Salary$106,823 - $138,868 per yearPay scale & gradeGS 13HelpLocation1 vacancy in the following location:Washington, DCRemote jobNoTelework eligibleYes-as determined by the agency policy.Travel RequiredOccasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.Relocation expenses reimbursedNoAppointment typePermanent -Work scheduleFull-time -ServiceCompetitivePromotion potential13Job family (Series)1001 General Arts And InformationSupervisory statusNoSecurity clearanceNot RequiredDrug testNoAnnouncement numberEAC-IMP-11662707-MASControl number679461900HelpThis job is open toInternal to an agencyCurrent federal employees of this agency.Clarification from the agencyCurrent US Customs and Border Protection employees who are currently working in a permanent competitive service position.HelpDutiesJoining Customs & Border Protection (CBP), will allow you to utilize your expertise in communications to provide leadership with advice and assistance in writing and developing communication materials. This position starts at a salary of $106,823.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $138,868.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $138,868.00 (GS-13 Step 10). Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen the Department's ability to perform homeland security functions through complex and diverse assignments that involve some independent projects or program areas of significant importance and the development of new methods, strategies, and communications plans. GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Typical Work assignments include: Planning, researching, writing, and editing internal and external publications to keep employees informed about current ES programs, priorities, and initiatives within Enterprise Services (ES).Providing communications-oriented recommendations regarding technical documents, such as memoranda, policy directives, and legislative text.Developing, implementing, and evaluating the effectiveness of Immediate Office of the Executive Assistant Commissioner (EAC) communications strategies, materials and programs that support and promote enhanced engagement with EAC stakeholder communities.Analyzing organizational-specific policy issues to identify and to anticipate communication needs and potential reaction from stakeholders, including congressional, media, non-governmental, state, local, tribal, and other EAC stakeholder communities.Coordinating across directorates to determine communication needs by attending management level calls related to sensitive leadership issues and participating in meetings that directly affect the agency. HelpRequirementsConditions of EmploymentYou must be a US Citizen to apply for this positionMales born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective ServicePrimary US residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)You may be required to pass a background investigation CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link. QualificationsExperience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Preparing mass mailings, SharePoint maintenance and improvements, fact sheets, newsletters, posters, reports, press releases, surveys, and presentations.Developing, implementing and evaluating the effectiveness of communications strategies.Analyzing organizational-specific policy issues to identify and to anticipate communication needs. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (eg, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (eg, 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, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; andMeet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 10/07/2022. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Background Investigation: US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (eg, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For more information visit this link.Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:Working for the US Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the militaryA dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the US governmentParticipation in a study abroad program sponsored by a US affiliated college or universityWorking as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the US government Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.EducationPlease see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.Additional informationBargaining Unit:This position is not covered under the bargaining unit. Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (ie, physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. Telework may be available on a regular recurring or situational basis. DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR | 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR | 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.Read moreHelpA career with the US 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 windowLearn more about federal benefits.Review our benefitsEligibility 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.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.Applicants will only be considered for the Eligibilities for which they claim in the job questionnaire AND must provide the supporting documentation. Applicants will not be considered for Eligibilities for which they did not claim, regardless of the documentation submitted with the application. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11662707 You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (eg, resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): This self-assessment will be used to assess the following technical competencies or KSAs: Skill in communication principles, methods, practices and techniques, analytical methods, and interpersonal relations practices.Communication skills in writing on a variety of topics and oral skills to foster collaborative working relationships with other staff and the ability to work proactively to meet goals and objectives.Knowledge of various information technology systems and software, such as Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, the SharePoint system, and Photo Shop to maintain communications, and Adobe Pro.Knowledge and skill in analyzing programs and policies in developing recommendations to interpret diverse points of view in a communication plan.Knowledge of measures that validate message retention and assess impact of decision making and new ideas on objectives. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. The USA Hire Assessment will be used to assess the following general competencies: AccountabilityAttention to DetailCustomer ServiceFlexibilityInfluencing/NegotiatingIntegrity/HonestyInterpersonal SkillsLearningSelf-ManagementStress ToleranceTeamworkTechnical AbilityDecision MakingReadingReasoning Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.HelpA career with the US 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 windowLearn more about federal benefits.Review our benefitsEligibility 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.As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.Your resume: A resume describing your job-related qualifications is required and will be used for the purpose of reviewing your qualifications and determining what training, if any, would be required when placed. A resume in English is required. It must contain your full legal name, address, phone number, complete work history including a detailed description of your duties, the dates you performed those duties (MM/DD/YY), your hours worked per week, job title, as well as series, grade, and salary (if applicable). For additional required items, see the link. *Note- It is recommended that you upload your resume as a PDF instead of a Word document to ensure document quality. Ensure that your uploaded resume is not a password protected document, to include Office 365 passwords.Your responses to the job questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11662707Your responses to the USA Hire Competency Based AssessmentAre you a current or former federal employee? ALL CURRENT AND FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT THE MOST RECENT COPY OF THEIR SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing competitive status: Tenure 1 or 2 in Block 24 and Position Occupied 1 in Block 34. Additionally, applicants should also submit a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held on a permanent basis in the competitive service or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher, AND an SF-50 to support having met the time-in-grade requirement of having served 52 weeks at the grade level (or equivalent) below the grade level(s) for this position. Current CBP Employees are encouraged, but not required, to submit an SF-50(s) for CBP experience; however, additional SF-50(s) are required when using federal experience outside of CBP to receive credit towards the requirements above. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases, and accessions. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)? You must submit a separation notice; your most recent SF-50 (noting your current position, grade level and duty location); a copy of your most recent performance rating; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; or a Military Department of National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 USC 8337(h) or 8456.Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:Position titleType of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee)AgencyBeginning and ending dates of appointmentIf you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert