Duties

This series covers positions managing, supervising, leading, and/or performing administrative and management work.

• Vacancies filled under this public notice may have varying levels of promotion potential and supervisory level, if any.
• Positions may be filled as permanent, term, or temporary with a full-time or part-time work schedule.

As a Public Affairs Specialist you may:

• design, plan, and direct or advise on the public affairs program in an agency, or organization within an agency;
• develop and disseminate informational materials to the general public or specialized target groups within a domestic or foreign setting;
• provide information of particular value and interest to agency employees;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with all media, both foreign and domestic, and develop and disseminate informational materials to pertinent publics through the media.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Subject to satisfactory security and suitability requirements.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Positions may be filled as permanent, term, or temporary with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.
• The vacancies filled through these appointments have varying levels of background investigative requirements, up to a Top Secret DOE "Q" clearance.
• These positions are to be filled under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA - P.L. 117-58).

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-09 : You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Drafting information relative to an organization's mission, programs and accomplishments for dissemination to the public and the media; AND
• Writing a variety of reports, products and projects such as; fact sheets, informational brochures or papers, articles and other content

OR EDUCATION: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED.

OR COMBINATION: You may qualify on a combination of education and experience. The total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate level education more than the first 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Drafting information relative to an organization's mission, programs and accomplishments for dissemination to the public and the media; AND
• Writing a variety of reports, products and projects such as; fact sheets, informational brochures or papers, articles and other content; AND
• Assisting in the review of current communication strategies and plans

OR EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED.

OR COMBINATION: You may qualify on a combination of education and experience. The total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate level education more than the first 36 semester hours (54 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-12 : You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Drafting news releases, fact sheets, brochures, or other content that increase communication and understanding with the public; AND
• Assisting with handling challenging or controversial issues impacting an organization; AND
• Analyzing public reaction to programs and identifying options to improve communications internally and with the general public

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-12 level.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-13: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Implementing communication outreach strategies to maintain public support and designing approaches to address specific communications problems; AND
• Identifying and planning, design, and preparation of effective outreach materials, including fact sheets, postcards, flyers, mailers, and other visual materials for identified target audiences; AND
• Carrying out special projects to assess the effectiveness of various communication methods (i.e., web, TV, radio, social media, etc.)

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-13 level.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-14: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Designing and implementing proactive public affairs projects including strategic communications programs and other communication strategies; AND
• Researching, writing, and editing news releases, publications, web and digital content, reports, brochures, presentations, announcements, speeches, visual data products and other informational materials for the media and other groups interested in or impacted by an organization; AND
• Carrying out special projects to assess the effectiveness of various communication methods (i.e., web, TV, radio, social media, etc.)

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-14 level.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-15: You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience for this position includes:

• Providing leadership in developing and implementing written and visual promotional and informational products that enhance an organization's public and media image; AND
• Designing and implementing proactive public affairs projects including strategic communications programs and other communication strategies; AND
• Researching, writing, and editing news releases, publications, web and digital content, reports, brochures, presentations, announcements, speeches, visual data products and other informational materials for the media and other groups interested in or impacted by an organization; AND
• Carrying out special projects to assess the effectiveness of various communication methods (i.e., web, TV, radio, social media, etc.)

NOTE: There is no substitution of education for specialized experience at the GS-15 level.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

OPM Qualification Standards for the GS-1035 series can be found at the following website: OPM Qualification Standards

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

This public notice may be used to fill multiple positions as needed; therefore, applicants must meet the qualifications at the time the applications are reviewed.

Education

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

If qualifying solely based on education, transcripts must be provided.

Additional information

The U.S. Department of Energy fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
• For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov
• Status and Non-Status applicants from outside DOE selected under this authority are required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period. A DOE career status employee selected for this position may be required to serve a new one (1) year probationary period, pursuant to 5 CFR 315.802.
• If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
• This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.
• More than one selection may be made under this hiring authority.
• Some positions may require completion of a probationary period of up to 1 (one) year.
• Many positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
• Positions may be filled at varying levels of leadership, ie Team Lead, Manager, Supervisor.
• Supervisory positions may require a 1-year probationary period, if not yet completed.
• New employees to the Department of Energy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify
• Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
• All males born after December 31st 1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register . If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
• EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/EEO_Policy_Statement
• Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Reasonable_Accommodation_Policy_Statement
• Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Veterans_Information
• Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/