Public Affairs Specialist (Stakeholder Engagement Liaison)

Summary

What General Information Do I Need To Know About This Position?

Salaries can be found using this link: 2024 Rest of US Pay Table

Learn more about this agency This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

DutiesAs a Public Affairs Specialist (Stakeholder Engagement Liaison) within the Water Resources Mission Area, some of your specific duties will include:

• Developing and managing website content that communicates scientific and technical information to diverse non-technical audiences.
• Developing social media strategies, guidelines, and protocols.
• Working with scientific and technical personnel to translate scientific/technical content for general audiences.
• Creating videos for web pages and other science communication.

Physical Demands: The work is usually sedentary and requires prolonged sitting at computer terminals. Occasional moderate lifting and carrying equipment is required. Occasional visits to monitoring and research sites may be required, to understand and document the work done by scientists and technicians and may require walking on diverse terrain or riding on a boat. There may be periods of considerable stress related to meeting established deadlines.

Work Environment: The work is normally performed in an office setting that is adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated. Guiding or accompanying media or officials on field trips is occasionally required in conjunction with requests by or in coordination with the Office of Communication and Public Affairs. Such trips are usually associated with field conditions, including mud, water, and cold/heat. Other work locations may also include conference rooms, schools, and offices of other agencies or groups.RequirementsConditions of EmploymentKey Requirements:

• Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
• Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period.
• More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information.

Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?

• This vacancy is limited to the first 75 applications received and will close at midnight Eastern Time on the day this application limit is reached regardless of the closing date specified in this vacancy announcement. Any application received prior to midnight Eastern Time of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. You are strongly encouraged to submit all required supporting documents at the time of application should the vacancy close earlier than stated in this announcement due to the applicant limit being reached. Supporting documents will not be accepted once the vacancy announcement closes.
• Because this position requires travel for official business, the selectee will be required to apply for a charge card within 30 calendar days of appointment. Individuals who have delinquent account balances from a previous Government charge card will be required to satisfy their existing obligation before a new card can be issued.
• A background investigation will be required for this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify for the GS-09 level:

Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education (36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours or the equivalent) leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D. in a field of study which provided the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

• OR One year of appropriate specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal service that is in or related to public affairs and that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of qualifying specialized experience includes: authoring written text and creating graphical content to communicate scientific information via web pages, social media, newsletters, blogs and other formats to a wide variety of audiences; creating videos for web pages and other science communication requirements; planning appropriate communications tactics in alignment with organizational communications strategy; knowledge of requirements for creating digital products that are accessible to persons with disabilities and skill in creating accessible content for web and social media and skill in applying the requirements to all content shared in web and social media applications. Works is carried out independently and involves making minor adjustments when required to conventional methods and techniques.
• OR A combination of successfully completed progressive graduate level education as described above that is beyond the first year of graduate study and specialized experience, as described above. (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO COMBINE GRADUATE EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE)

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

• 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 completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .

Additional information

Other Information

• Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
• Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position.
• USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31(a) and may not: (a) have any personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations.
• The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.
• DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.
• The Department of the Interior (DOI) places a high value on diversity of experience and cultural perspectives and encourages applications from all interested eligible candidates. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide the Department and allow us to successfully achieve our mission.
• THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Agency Benefits:

• The duty station of this position may remain that of the selectee or may be any USGS location that is agreed upon by the selecting official and the selectee. If the agreed upon location results in the relocation of the selectee, the travel, transportation, and relocation expenses are not authorized.
• For additional information on our internal telework policy, please reference the Department of the Interior Telework Handbook at: https://www.doi.gov/telework/policies.
• Working for the U.S. Geological Survey offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

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 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.