SummaryThis position is located in the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG), Office of Legislative Affairs and Communications (OLAC), which has direct reporting to the Inspector General, the Principal Deputy Inspector General, and the Chief of Staff.As a Public Affairs Specialist, GS-1035-12/13, your typical work assignments may include the following:Learn more about this agency Responsibilities Develop and manage communications plans, strategies, and tactics to inform and educate audiences about the DoD OIG's complex oversight mission and values and how the agency supports the Department of Defense's mission. Analyze trends to determine communication needs, develops tactics to meet those needs, and assesses impact of proposed and/or ongoing activities on the DOD OIG's brand. Write and edit articles for internal and external web content. Written articles may be original products developed from interviews and research. Establish and maintain close working relationships with key staff members from the DoD OIG Component and Office leadership staff to accomplish agency-wide projects, often balancing multiple projects under time critical situations. Coordinate the release of information on DoD OIG Intranet (workforce) sites and DoD OIG Internet (public web) sites to ensure content meets communication goals and messages. Interact with members of the news media and the public to inform and educate audiences about the DoD OIG's complex oversight mission and values and how the agency supports the Department of Defense's mission. Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel up to 10% for this position.Supervisory status No Promotion Potential 13 Job family (Series) 1035 Public Affairs Help Requirements Conditions of Employment US citizenship. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service. Position has been designated as Noncritical Sensitive. Incumbent is required to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. Incumbent is required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and is subject to random drug testing for the duration of service with DoD OIG. Current DoD civilian employees are not required to submit to drug testing if moving from one Testing Designated Position (TDP) to another with no break in service, unless deemed appropriate on a case-by-case basis. If you have not previously completed a probationary period with the Federal government in a similar position, you will be required to serve a two-year probationary period. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within 90 calendar days of the initial issue date of the referral list. Position(s) may be filled by displaced Department of Defense (DoD) employees through the Priority Placement Program. All qualifications and time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants who have held a non-temporary General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must meet the time-in-grade restriction. The incumbent must adhere to the DoD Standards of Conduct. Telework may be authorized. Qualifications You may qualify at the GS-12 and or GS-13 level, if you meet the specialized experience described below:GS-12 Level:Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-11 or equivalent level. Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Demonstrating ability to write in a variety of styles for a variety of formats to present information that is accurate, grammatically correct, timely, appropriate for the medium, and is engaging. 2) Demonstrating ability to interact with members of the news media and the public to respond to inquiries and engage in proactive communication. 3) Experience in employee communications/command information, and knowledge of publications software and processes and graphic design. 4) Demonstrating ability to use computer graphic software to enhance, crop or otherwise manipulate schematic drawings, illustrations, maps, charts, and photographs to be used in agency publications. 5) Demonstrating proofreading and copy editing skills; knowledge of AP Stylebook.GS-13 Level:Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-12 or equivalent level. Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Mastery of written communication styles to prepare content for delivery in a variety of formats. Information is accurate, grammatically correct, timely, appropriate for the medium, and engaging. 2) Expert ability to interact with members of the news media and the public to respond to inquiries and engage in proactive communication. 3) Mastery of communication methods and techniques to present information clearly and at an appropriate level for the intended audience. 4) Expert ability to use computer graphic software to enhance, crop or otherwise manipulate schematic drawings, illustrations, maps, charts, and photographs to be used in agency publications. 5) Expert proofreading and copy editing skills; knowledge of AP Stylebook.You must meet the minimum qualification requirements as stated in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions: -stds/gs-prof.asp.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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Only experience and/or education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. Education Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.Additional informationWorking for DoD OIG offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.Military retirees seeking to enter civil service in the Department of Defense now require a waiver if they are within 180 days following their official date of retirement (5 United States Code 3326.)If applicable, you may apply under the appropriate Special Appointment Authority and be considered for non-competitive appointments.Please see link for definitions of the Special Appointment Authorities: ' Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): See Veterans Guide for definition. Submit a copy of your most recent DD-214 (member 4) showing length of active duty, character of service, and type of discharge.Disabled Veterans: See Veterans Guide for definition. Submit a copy of your most recent DD-214 (member 4) showing length of active duty, character of service, and type of discharge, and a VA Certification Letter.Military Spouse: Submit a copy of the spouse's PCS orders or VA certification of disability or death of service member, along with any other documentation proving eligibility such as a most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action.Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only.Family Members Eligible under Executive Order 12721: Submit a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, from the position and any other documentation proving eligibility.Interchange Agreement: Submit a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, from the position and any other documentation proving eligibility.Schedule A: Submit proof of disability in the form of written certification from a licensed medical professional, OR a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, OR any Federal agency, State agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a US territory that issues or provides disability benefits.Reemployed Annuitants: DoD policy on employment of annuitants will be used in determining eligibility of annuitants. The DoD policy is available on -V300.pdf.Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): Applicants must be well-qualified, which is defined as meeting all of the minimum qualification standards and eligibility requirements as well as possessing skills that clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position established by the Best Qualified category definition.Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Read more How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirement listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the best qualified candidates, you will be referred to the hiring official for employment consideration.All qualified candidates will be evaluated on the following competencies:CommunicationCommunications and MediaEditorial Guidelines ApplicationInformation ManagementInterpersonal SkillsMultimedia TechnologiesWritingWritten CommunicationPreview the assessment questionnaire here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11069768 Read more Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance Secret Drug test required Yes Position sensitivity and risk Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk Trust determination process National security Help Required DocumentsYour complete application package includes:Resume showing relevant experience (cover letter optional). Resume should include the following: where you worked, job title, series and grade, if applicable, duties and accomplishments, employer's name and address, supervisor's name and phone number, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week and salary;SF-50 - All current Federal employees must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, if applicable, which documents current Salary and Competitive (#1 on block 34 of SF-50) position occupied. If the position currently occupied is Excepted Service (#2 on block 34 of SF-50), you must provide an SF-50 that provides proof that you've held a permanent position with career or career-conditional status, unless your Excepted Service appointment qualifies you for appointment through an interchange agreement or miscellaneous authority. If currently occupying an excepted service VRA, provide an SF-50 documenting your current Veterans Recruitment Appointment. NOTE: An award SF-50 (ie cash or time off award) that does not indicate grade or level (ie pay band) or tenure to determine your eligibility for this position will not be accepted. **Current DoD OIG serviced employees ONLY: you do NOT need to submit a copy of your SF-50(s). Performance Appraisal - All current Federal employees must submit a copy of their most recent completed annual performance appraisal received within the past 18 months. The performance appraisal must include the final rating and supervisor's signature. If a completed performance appraisal does not exist, is incomplete or unavailable, you must submit an explanation as to why it is not available at the time of your application submission. Mid-year progress reviews will not be accepted. **Current DoD OIG serviced employees ONLY: you do NOT need to submit a copy of your Performance Appraisal.Veterans - You must submit a copy of your latest DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (any copy that shows all dates of service, type of discharge as well as character of service [Honorable, General, etc.] is acceptable) If you have more than one DD-214 for multiple periods of active duty service, submit a copy for each period of service. - OR - If you are still on active duty, you must submit a written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying, rank, dates of active duty service, expected date of discharge and condition of discharge This document must be dated within 120 days from the closing date of this announcement.*Retired/Retiring Veterans: Please be aware that there is a 180-Day Restriction on Department of Defense (DoD) Employment of Military Retirees. A retired member of the Armed Forces may not be appointed to a civilian position in DoD within 180 days after retirement unless: * The agency requests and is granted a waiver; *The position is authorized special pay under 5 USC 3505; or *A state of national emergency existsInteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): Information about ICTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at -data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.Military Spouse Preference (MSP) - Spousal Travel Orders/Permanent Change of Station(PCS) Orders, Marriage Certificate, and Military Spouse Preference Self Certification checklistAny additional documentation that would provide proof of your eligibility category for which you are applying. Required documents are listed next to the eligibility category in the "Additional Information" section above.Submission of a resume alone is NOT a complete application. This position may require the completion of additional form/s and/or supplemental materials. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your application not being considered for employment. All documentation must be received by the closing date of this announcement. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the US Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the US Department of Education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. Help BenefitsA 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 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.