Duties

Summary

*****This announcement has been extended through Monday, November 2, 2020.

The incumbent works in the Office of Congressional Affairs and Communications and supports the Supervisory Communications Specialists in the Office of Congressional Affairs and Communications working on a wide range of Agency communications strategies pertaining to key internal and/or external stakeholders.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

External Communications:

The Senior Communications Specialist is responsible for informing the broad spectrum of individuals and groups affected by Agency programs of the benefits, services, or requirements of such programs. The incumbent is also responsible for assessing the degree of understanding or interest the public has in these programs and activities.

The incumbent advises on the potential public reaction to proposed policies, and plans, organizes, and evaluates communications strategies, programs and materials.

The incumbent works with subject matter experts across the Agency to coordinate release of external announcements.

Senior Communications Specialists use a variety of communication methods in carrying out their mission to inform the public about the programs, policies, and services that are of interest to or affect various groups or individuals. The incumbent will advise top Agency management officials on the possible public and media reactions to proposed policy statements and/or Agency actions.

Internal Communications:

The incumbent is responsible for developing and executing internal communication strategies in furtherance of the Agency's objectives, and assists with coordinating the flow of information between Agency leadership and staff to provide employees with timely, complete, and accurate information on Agency activities and policies utilizing an array of communication mechanisms, including all staff meetings, TV monitors, intranet, weekly newsletters, emails, and special internal programs and events.

The incumbent generates original material for projects as needed and advises Agency subject matter experts regarding matters such as grammar, pagination, references, AP style, and distribution.

The incumbent identifies communication needs and gaps and develops informational materials that inform appropriate audiences of the Agency's policies, programs, services, and activities. The incumbent plans, executes, and later evaluates the effectiveness of information and communication programs in furthering Agency goals.

The incumbent collaborates with other components within the Agency, including Divisions and major organizational units such as the Office of Human Resources and others as appropriate, to identify communication needs and gaps and develops informational materials that inform appropriate audiences of the Agency's policies, programs, services, and activities. The incumbent plans, executes, and later evaluates the effectiveness of information and communication programs in furthering Agency goals.

The incumbent assists with speechwriting, editing of public reports, arranges and conducts workshops, seminars, and other meetings with various groups with the Agency in stimulating participation in Agency activities, identifying their concerns. Monitors intranet and other internal communications channel content to ensure it remains current and accurate.

The Senior Communications Specialist will work collaboratively with OCAC leadership, Agency Public Affairs Specialists, Internal Communications Specialists, Congressional Affairs Specialists and Agency Webmaster as needed.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Qualifications

Qualifying experience for the EL/GS-14 level includes one year of specialized experience at the equivalent to EL/GS-13 which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying experience for the EL/GS-13 level includes one year of specialized experience at the equivalent to EL/GS-12 which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Qualifying experience for the EL/GS-12 level includes one year of specialized experience at the equivalent to EL/GS-11 which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

At the higher grade levels, there is less supervision, and more independence and knowledge.

Examples of specialized experience include the following:

• Applied knowledge of legislative, regulatory, economic, related to housing finance issues to develop communication plans and programs to address the Agency's policies, programs, and activities.

• Experience with speechwriting, editing of public reports, and public correspondence activities.

• Composed and performed editing/rewriting of internal and /or external communications.

• Served as copy editor on multiple types of documents, editing for grammar and format.

• Applied knowledge of liaison principles, methods, practices and techniques, analytical methods, and interpersonal relations practices in order to develop and apply new approaches to internal and/or external communication challenges.

• Applied knowledge of a wide range of communication principles, practices and strategies.

• Coordinated the flow of information between Agency leadership and staff to provide employees with timely, complete, and accurate information on Agency activities and policies.

• Collaborated with other components within an Agency, including Divisions and major organizational units on communicating issues to employees, some of which are of sensitive and confidential nature.

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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans .

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx ).

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 90 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp .

FHFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, disability (physical or mental), age (40 years of age or over), genetic information, parental status, marital status, prior protected EEO activity, political affiliation, or other non-merit factors.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

FHFA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, except when doing so would pose an undue hardship on the Agency. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify FHFA at (202) 649-3963. The Agency's decision on granting a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Ethics: FHFA employees are subject to government-wide ethical standards of conduct, financial disclosure requirements, and post-employment prohibitions. In addition, certain FHFA employees are prohibited from accepting compensation from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for a two-year period after terminating employment with FHFA. Furthermore, to avoid financial conflicts-of interest or the appearance of conflicts-of-interest, FHFA employees may need to divest or sell certain assets they, their spouse, or minor children own or control, including securities issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or the Federal Home Loan Banks. Employees who work on Federal Home Loan Bank issues may need to sell or divest financial interests with any of the Federal Home Loan Bank members, which may include stock in bank holding companies, insurance companies, and other financial services firms. Questions regarding these requirements and prohibitions should be directed to the Office of General Counsel at (202) 649-3088.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:

• Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A
• Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
• Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
• Other Special Appointment Authorities

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

All applicants will be rated on the following competencies for this announcement:

• Collaboration
• Message Development & Delivery
• Minimum Qualifications
• Writing & Editing

Selective Placement Factor: Applied knowledge of legislative, regulatory, economic, related to housing finance issues to develop communication plans and programs to address the Agency's policies, programs, and activities.

To preview the assessment questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10945389
Applicants may choose to apply through merit promotion or US citizens, or both. Please select how you would like to be considered.

Status candidates will be rated based on your responses to the job specific questionnaire and assigned a score ranging from 70 to 100 points. The top ten candidates, and candidates tied for the tenth spot, will be referred for selection. All qualified non-competitive candidates will also be referred.

U.S citizens who meet the basic qualification requirements for this vacancy will be rated according to Category Rating Procedures. Based on your veteran's status and responses to the job specific questioner you will be assigned to a pre-defined quality category. There will be three quality categories: Highly Qualified (95), Well Qualified (85) and Qualified (70). Generally, only candidates in the top quality category will be referred to the hiring manager.

All of the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application forms, by checking references or through other means, such as the interview process. This verification could occur at any stage of the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your resume showing hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. If applying under status, it is strongly recommended that an SF 50 be submitted showing highest grade held on a permanent basis in the competitive service.
3. Other supporting documents:

• Cover Letter, optional
• Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
• Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)