This job announcement has closed

This position of PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST starts at a salary of $114,590.00 GS-14 grade level, step 01, with promotion potential to $148,967.00 grade GS-14 level, step 10.

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Job canceled

Open & closing dates

12/21/2018 to 12/21/2018
Salary

$114,590 - $148,967 per year
Pay scale & grade

GS 14
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Location
- Washington, DC 1 vacancy
Telework eligible

Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required

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

No
Appointment type

Permanent
Work schedule

Full-Time
Service

Competitive
Promotion potential

14
Job family (Series)
- 1035 Public Affairs
Supervisory status

No
Security clearance

Secret
Drug test

Yes
Announcement number

CIS-PJN-10380605-PUB
Control number

519670400

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Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

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The responsibilities described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence, and limited complexity.
Formulate policy, programs, and procedures governing information dissemination functions for USCIS and participate in high level policy making meetings and conferences, serving as an advisor on reactions to new policy initiatives.
Prepare written forms of communication in the form of news articles, news releases, fact sheets, speeches, written responses to media or public inquiry, feature articles, pamphlets, newsletters, and magazines.
Develop and disseminate material for internal and external use and advise senior leaders on potential public reaction to proposed policies and programs.
Manage public relations programs involving issues that are controversial or of significant public or Congressional interest and serve as senior advisor to agency management on public affairs activities/programs.
Provide guidance, assistance, and consultation concerning agency procedures for responding to requests from the media, the general public, specialized groups, and community and government entities, and arrange news media visits to field locations.

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Conditions of Employment

Probationary Period:You may be required to serve a probationary period of 1 year.

The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date of this announcement ( 12/26/2018).

Residency Requirement: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This residency requirement states that candidates must have, for three of the last five years immediately prior to applying for this position; (1) resided in the United States; OR (2) worked for the United States Government as an employee overseas in a Federal or Military capacity, OR (3) been a dependent of a U.S. Federal or Military employee serving overseas.

Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.

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.

Conditions of Employment:

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National to apply for this position.
Successfully pass a Background Investigation including financial disclosure.
You must pass a drug screening.
You must submit resume and supporting documentation.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
Political appointees may require OPM approval before on-boarding.

Qualifications

Relocation expenses are authorized if you are a USCIS employee assigned to the Refugee, Asylum and International Operations program and have been approved for rotation from an overseas assignment. Relocation expenses for USCIS employees assigned to an OCONUS location will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

GS-14: You qualify at the GS-14 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the federal government which has equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the following duties:

Responding to requests both in writing and on-camera from national and international news media outlets
Serving as a media relations advisor to senior leaders in an organization
Writing a myriad of public relations products (such as policies, guidance, press releases, etc)
Serving as a spokesperson and regularly handling media inquiries from national and international news organizations (for example: CNN, Fox News, Washington Post, New York Times, etc.)

Please read the following IMPORTANT information to ensure we have everything we need to consider your application.

It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable), as it relates to this job opportunity. Please be clear and specific when describing your work history as we cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will also be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions.

Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:

Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
Duties (be specific in describing your duties)
Employer's name and address
Supervisor name and phone number
Start and end dates including month, day and year (e.g. June 18 2007 to April 05 2008)
Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position.
Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
Salary

Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible

Federal Experience
If you are using current or prior federal experience as a basis for qualifying for this position, the grade levels and length of employment (mm/dd/year) at each grade level must be listed in your work history. This information will be further validated if selected for this position.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience)
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 criteria 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 service. Please provide the dates and amount of time/hours worked earning this experience.

Education

EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION: There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Additional information

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Background Investigation
To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, this position requires completion and adjudication of a background investigation. This may include a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. The background investigation process is initiated after a selection is made. For more information visit the OPM Mythbuster Page.

If a SECRET or TOP SECRET clearance is needed, all selected candidates must meet the requirements for these clearances prior to placement AND maintain that level of clearance while encumbering the position.

Special Hiring Authorities
Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, Schedule A, Eligible Family Members: You 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 and to understand the documentation that would be required with your application, click on the links above and contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. We encourage you to apply to USCIS vacancies using these special hiring authorities.

USCIS 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.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

Additional Information
It is our responsibility to eliminate any risks to national security, public health, and public safety that could be posed by individuals who use illegal drugs. This position may be subject to random testing as a condition of employment. A positive drug test or refusal to be tested will result in disciplinary action, up to and including removal from Federal service.

Note:
If you previously retired from the Federal service and are receiving an annuity, your salary may be offset by the amount of your annuity.

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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.

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

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, we will place you in one of three categories based on your responses to the on-line questionnaire regarding experience, education and training.

Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of all evaluation criteria.
Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of the evaluation criteria.
Qualified: Applicants possessing the basic qualifications, with general knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:

Communications and Media
Customer Service
Oral Communication
Partnering
Strategic Thinking
Writing

NOTE: Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. If you rated yourself higher than what is supported by your application material, you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment

If you fall into best qualified category, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be contacted for an interview. To preview the job questionnaire, click here https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10380605 .

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligible:
If you have never worked for the Federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. Information about CTAP or ICTAP eligibility can be found by clicking here to access OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be placed in the Well-Qualified category for this position, as described above. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

Veterans
Veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. Veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific, professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. This position is not considered scientific/professional. For information on veterans' preference, please click here.

Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to complete a writing sample and/or other writing exercise as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing sample and/or other writing exercise as part of its selection process, a designated contractor or Agency representative will contact you to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.

Note:

For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.
This position IS NOT in the bargaining unit.
This position IS NOT considered "essential" for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed.
USCIS may fill one or more positions using this vacancy.

Help
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.
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 (No longer than 5 pages in length) that clearly demonstrates experience that meets the requirements of this position as outlined in the "Qualifications" section. You are highly encouraged to save your resume to a PDF document and upload the PDF document in lieu of submitting your resume created through Resume Builder or other such programs(I.E. Word, Google Docs, Etc.). This helps ensure you meet the 5-page resume limit.
- Your responses to the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10380605 (submitted through the on-line application process in USA Jobs. Responses DO NOT need to be attached as an additional document to your application)
- Are you qualifying based on education? You must submit a copy of your college transcript to support the educational substitution and/or basic educational requirement or a list of coursework with hours completed. (unofficial is acceptable). For verification purposes, the transcript submitted must include your name and institution. Those with foreign education, click this link.
- Veterans: If you are applying for 5-Point Preference you must submit your DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) showing your Character of Service. If you are applying for 10-point Preference you must fill out the SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If applying as a disabled veteran, submit a copy of the letter from the Veterans Administration, or other formal documentation, that clearly identifies overall rating of disability, AND your DD-214. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the armed forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the closing date of the announcement. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. Click here for more veterans' information. You may request a copy of your DD-214 through the E-Benefits page.
Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit:
- a copy of your agency notice,
- a copy of your most recent performance rating, and
- a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. 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 U.S. 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.
Your application must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 12/26/2018. To begin your online application, click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register or sign into USAJOBS, take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more detail.

We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Human Resource office listed below at least one business day prior to the closing date for instructions. Applications will not be accepted by mail.

Agency contact information

HROC Staffing Help Desk

Phone

952-697-8380

Fax

952-697-8371

Email

HROCStaffingHelpDesk@uscis.dhs.gov

Address

US Citizenship and Immigration Services
70 Kimball Ave
South Burlington, VT 05403
US

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the selecting official for further consideration and a possible interview. We will notify you by email at various stages in the process (learn more). Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a final job offer within 90 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

Telework: Telework eligibility is based on the needs of the office and is subject to change.

Additional information pertaining to your interest and availability for this position may be needed after the closing date of the job opportunity announcement; therefore, a timely response to these requests must be adhered to in order to remain in consideration.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Help

Your resume (No longer than 5 pages in length) that clearly demonstrates experience that meets the requirements of this position as outlined in the "Qualifications" section. You are highly encouraged to save your resume to a PDF document and upload the PDF document in lieu of submitting your resume created through Resume Builder or other such programs(I.E. Word, Google Docs, Etc.). This helps ensure you meet the 5-page resume limit.
Your responses to the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10380605 (submitted through the on-line application process in USA Jobs. Responses DO NOT need to be attached as an additional document to your application)
Are you qualifying based on education? You must submit a copy of your college transcript to support the educational substitution and/or basic educational requirement or a list of coursework with hours completed. (unofficial is acceptable). For verification purposes, the transcript submitted must include your name and institution. Those with foreign education, click this link.
Veterans: If you are applying for 5-Point Preference you must submit your DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) showing your Character of Service. If you are applying for 10-point Preference you must fill out the SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If applying as a disabled veteran, submit a copy of the letter from the Veterans Administration, or other formal documentation, that clearly identifies overall rating of disability, AND your DD-214. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the armed forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the closing date of the announcement. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. Click here for more veterans' information. You may request a copy of your DD-214 through the E-Benefits page.

Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)? Submit:

a copy of your agency notice,
a copy of your most recent performance rating, and
a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. 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 U.S. 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

Your application must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 12/26/2018. To begin your online application, click the Apply Online button and follow the prompts to register or sign into USAJOBS, take the online questionnaire, and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more detail.

We strongly encourage you to apply online. If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Human Resource office listed below at least one business day prior to the closing date for instructions. Applications will not be accepted by mail.

Agency contact information

HROC Staffing Help Desk

Phone: 952-697-8380
Fax: 952-697-8371
Email: HROCStaffingHelpDesk@uscis.dhs.gov
Address: US Citizenship and Immigration Services
70 Kimball Ave
South Burlington, VT 05403
US

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the selecting official for further consideration and a possible interview. We will notify you by email at various stages in the process (learn more). Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a final job offer within 90 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

Telework: Telework eligibility is based on the needs of the office and is subject to change.

Additional information pertaining to your interest and availability for this position may be needed after the closing date of the job opportunity announcement; therefore, a timely response to these requests must be adhered to in order to remain in consideration.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Summary

Overview

Open & closing dates

Salary

Pay scale & grade

Location

Telework eligible

Travel Required

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Appointment type

Work schedule

Service

Promotion potential

Job family (Series)

Supervisory status

Security clearance

Drug test

Announcement number

Control number

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Duties

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Qualifications

Education

Additional information

How You Will Be Evaluated

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Agency contact information

Next steps

Required Documents

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

How to Apply

Agency contact information

Next steps

Fair & Transparent