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The Public Affairs Specialist is responsible for managing the public engagement and reputation of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian with emphasis on media relations and external communication. This includes crafting and executing media strategies to win high-profile favorable coverage of projects and personnel, writing and editing news and informational material about CfA science, and proactively developing and leveraging relationships with key media stakeholders.
Learn more about this agency09/15/2021 to 09/29/2021
$121,243 - $157,617 per year
GS 14
1 vacancy in the following location:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
25% or less - Travel may be required to attend meetings and/or other functions at SAO or other institutions, nationally and internationally.
No
Permanent - This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals
Full-time - Full Time
Competitive
14
Yes
No
21-40
614097500
This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals.
Media Relations
Content Development
Community Outreach
You must have 1 year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: experience developing and implementing a comprehensive public affairs program that involves public information, internal information, media relations and community relations communication strategies for internal audiences that required a wide range of knowledge of communication requirements. This knowledge is generally demonstrated by assignments where you analyzed a number of alternative approaches in the process of advising management concerning major aspects of the public affairs program including exploring the target audience and creating messages to reach them using the appropriate channel(s).
Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-13 grade level or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Coordinating and implementing strategic communications, developing communication plans, assigning and proactively seeking out media coverage; preparing speeches and briefings, writing and disseminating articles and press releases; identifying and resolving a variety of complex public affairs issues and providing advice and guidance to senior leadership on all public affairs and communication issues.
NOTE: Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements, including education, and any selective placement factors by the closing date of this announcement.
Education can not be used as a substitution for specialized experience at the GS-14 level.
The Smithsonian does not pay for relocation expenses.
The Smithsonian embraces diversity and equal employment opportunity.
A recruitment bonus may be paid.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
Applicants who meet or exceed minimum qualifications will be assigned to one of three category groups based on job-related criteria:
Best Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most of the job related competencies above.
Better Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and satisfies most of the job related competencies above.
Good Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not satisfy most of the job related competencies above to a substantive degree.
This category rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Category) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied.
Preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.
Applicants who have not submitted a resume in the USAjobs system and/or have not answered all of the vacancy questions will not be considered for this position.
Important Note:
The review of your resume will determine your final rating and should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.
Your application package should include the following documents:
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.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page.
Please Note:
After you apply, you will receive an automated acknowledgement email that your submission was successful.
The staffing process to identify highly qualified candidates may take up to four weeks or more to complete. After the announcement closes and application reviews are done, you may be contacted by the hiring office if further evaluation or interviews are required.
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/614097500. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is part of what is arguably the largest and most diverse astrophysical institution in the world, where the staff carries out a broad program of research in astronomy, astrophysics, and earth and space sciences. If you would like to join this exciting organization, apply today!
