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This position is located in the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Office of Communications (OC), Media Relations Group (MRG), Washington, DC.
WHO MAY APPLY: This is a competitive vacancy, open to all United States Citizens or Nationals, advertised under Delegated Examining Authority. Selections made under this vacancy announcement will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would therefore be given new appointments to the civil service; however, benefits, time served and all other Federal entitlements would remain the same. Click here for more information and definitions regarding applicants who may apply to this vacancy announcement.
This vacancy is also being announced concurrently with vacancy announcement number CMS-OC-MP-17-1973733 under merit promotion procedures. If you wish to be considered under both announcements, you must apply separately to each announcement. In addition, applicants eligible under non-competitive appointment authorities (e.g., Schedule A, Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA), 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans, etc.) who are interested in applying for this position, please apply under vacancy announcement number CMS-OC-MP-17-1973733 to be considered under non-competitive procedures.
Current Commissioned Corps Officers and boarded applicants interested in applying for this position must send their professional resume (not Curriculum Vitae) and cover letter to DSRWS-CC@cms.hhs.gov in lieu of applying through this announcement. You are to include the Job Announcement Number in the subject line and your current rank / application status in your email. Failure to provide this information may impact your consideration for this position.
NOTE: If selected for an interview, a writing sample will need to be provided at that time.
Learn more about this agency06/16/2017 to 06/29/2017
$131,767 - $161,900 per year
GS 15
1 vacancy in the following location:
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time - Full Time
15
Yes
CMS-OC-DE-17-1973957
472134300
Working in the Media Relations Group (MRG), you will serve as a Media Relations Officer. You will serve as the Director, MRG and will be responsible for providing executive leadership in the dissemination of information to the news media across the country pertaining to all CMS programs. You will also provide technical expertise and assist with leading, directing, planning, and coordinating group staff and activities related to the monitoring, evaluation, and program integrity of CMS' media relations program. Specifically, you will:
- Guide CMS senior officials, Center and Office Directors, CMS Staff, and Regional Administrators on matters involving the news media, in regard to controversial implications of material.
- Attend CMS testimonies on Capitol Hill and respond to the media before and after these sessions to help field media questions.
- Work with the Deputy Group Director and other senior MRG staff to coordinate the work of the Group.
- Organize, arrange, and coordinate media interviews with CMS officials in central and regional offices.
- Plan and originate media releases to inform and educate beneficiaries, consumers, providers, contractors, and the general public.
Additional selections may be made from this announcement for similar positions within CMS in the same geographical location. For Central Office vacancies, the "same geographical location" includes Baltimore, Maryland; Bethesda, Maryland; and Washington, D.C.
Conditions of Employment:
1. Security and Background Requirements: If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all selectees. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action. In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time. Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation. False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
2. E-Verify: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services participates in the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers. Click here for more information.
3. Selective Service: Male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must have registered for the Selective Service. Click here for more information.
4. Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
5. Oath of Office: All Federal employees are required to take the Oath of Office and sign Standard Form (SF) 61, Appointment Affidavits.ALL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET BY THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
In order to qualify at the GS-15 grade level, you must meet the following: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal Government, including: 1) planning, coordinating, implementing, or evaluating media strategy and outreach, including press releases, fact sheets, talking points, blogs, or news-related material; 2) advising or briefing the media, senior officials, or key stakeholders; and 3) planning, directing, and assessing work activities of employees.
Click the following link to view the assessment questionnaire: View Assessment Questions
Bargaining Unit Position: No - 8888
Tour of Duty: Flexible
Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure: Not Required
Veterans' Preference: If you are a veteran claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4) or an official statement (including dates of service and Character of Service) from your command if currently on active duty. If you are claiming 10-Point preference you must Click here for a detailed description of the required supporting documents to submit with your application to support your claim for 10-Point veterans' preference. For more information on veterans' preference see www.fedshirevets.gov.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced federal employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be rated well qualified for this vacancy. Well qualified applicants excel in the evaluation criteria for the position. Additional information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
CMS employees currently participating in 100% Full-Time Telework Program may be eligible to remain in the program. If an employee in this program is selected, the pay will be set in accordance with the locality pay for the applicable duty station. The listed salary range reflects the locality pay assigned to the duty location(s) listed in the vacancy announcement. For more information about pay based on locality, please visit the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Salaries & Wages Page.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application and responses to the online questionnaire will be evaluated under Category Rating and Selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points, but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of 10% or more will be placed at the top of the Best Qualified category (except for professional and scientific positions at the GS-9 level or higher).
Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. If, after reviewing your resume and other applicable supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, your rating will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your knowledge, skills and abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.
Your application will be evaluated based on your ability to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities/competencies:
- Managing Change - Technical Knowledge
- Media Relations
- Leading People
- Building Coalitions/Communications
- Results Driven
- Business Acumen
The following documents are required:
1. Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. Your resume must indicate your citizenship and if you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59. Your resume should also list your educational and work experience including the dates (mm/dd/yy or mm/yyyy) of each employment along with the number of hours worked per week. For work in the Federal service, please include the grade level for the position(s). Your resume will be used to validate your responses to the assessment tool(s). For resume and application tips visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Most_Effective_Resumes.
2. A complete Occupational Questionnaire.
3. Supporting Documents (e.g., SF-50, DD-214, SF-15), if applicable. Supporting documents may be required to be considered for this vacancy announcement. Click here for a detailed description of the required supporting documents. Failure to provide appropriate documentation WILL result in an ineligible rating OR non-consideration.
Contact Information: CMS HR Center Helpdesk
Phone: 1(888)423-2737 or (410)786-3936
Email: HRCenterHelpdesk@cms.hhs.gov
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday from 8:00AM ET to 5:00PM ET (excludes all federal holidays)
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.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package (to include resume, occupational questionnaire, transcripts and other applicable supporting documents) must be received by 11:59 PM ET on Thursday, June 29, 2017 to receive consideration.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE OR EDUCATION.
We strongly encourage applicants to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder in the creation of resumes. 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)
* 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.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account.
1. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.
3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
4. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
If you complete the occupational questionnaire online and are unable to upload transcripts or supporting document(s), you may fax the document.
**To fax your documents, you must use the following cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf and provide the required information. The Vacancy ID is 1973957.
**Fax your supporting documents to 1(478)757-3144.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you cannot complete the Application Package online, you may fax all of your materials. The complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM ET on Thursday, June 29, 2017 to receive consideration. Keep a copy of your fax confirmation in the event verification is needed. If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
To complete the occupational questionnaire and submit complete application package via fax:
**Click the following link to view and print the full occupational assessment questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire;
**Click the following link to view and print the 1203FX form to provide your response to the assessment questionnaire http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf; and
**Fax the complete 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to 1(478)757-3144. Your narrative responses are a required document when submitting a 1203FX application. Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission. The narrative responses must be addressed on a separate document and included as part of your complete application. Please number each narrative response with the corresponding questionnaire number and limit your responses to 250 characters.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please send an email to the CMS HR Helpdesk (HRCenterHelpdesk@cms.hhs.gov). You may also contact the CMS HR Helpdesk at 1(888)423-2737 or (410)786-3936. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing should contact the CMS HR Helpdesk via 1(888)423-2737 using of your relay service provider (Video Relay Services or Teletype Services). The decision to grant reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Within 15 business days of the closing date, Thursday, June 29, 2017 you may check your status online at USAJOBS. We will update your status after each key stage in the application process has been completed.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/472134300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) works in partnership with the entire health care community to improve quality and efficiency in an evolving health care system and provides leadership in the broader health care marketplace.
CMS' effectiveness depends on the capabilities of a dedicated, professional staff that is committed to supporting these objectives. A career with CMS offers the opportunity to get involved in important national health care issues and be part of a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly visible organization. For more information on CMS, please visit: http://www.cms.gov/.
