This job announcement has closed

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is ranked within the top 5 mid-size agencies through the Partnership for Public Service’s Best Places to Work in the Federal Government Rankings! This Lead Public Affairs Specialist position is located in the Office of Public Participation. For more information visit: Office of Public Participation (OPP).

Learn more about this agency

Help

Reviewing applications

Open & closing dates

10/08/2024 to 10/17/2024
Salary

$117,962 - $153,354 per year
Pay scale & grade

GS 13
Help
Location

1 vacancy in the following location:
- Washington, DC 1 vacancy
Remote job

No
Telework eligible

Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required

Occasional travel - Some travel may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed

No
Appointment type

Permanent
Work schedule

Full-Time
Service

Competitive
Promotion potential

13
Job family (Series)
- 1035 Public Affairs
Supervisory status

No
Security clearance

Other
Drug test

No
Position sensitivity and risk

Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
- Credentialing
- Suitability/Fitness
Financial disclosure

Yes
Bargaining unit status

No
Announcement number

FERC-MP-2025-0002
Control number

813193800

Help

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from current and former competitive service Federal employees, and people eligible under special hiring authorities. You may be reinstated within 3 years after the date of your separation. Reinstatement eligibility may be extended by certain activities that occur during the 3-year period after separation from your last career-conditional appointment.

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As a Lead Public Affairs Specialist some of your typical work assignments may include:

Leading development of communication strategies, key messaging, and communication materials for OPP to include speech writing, presentations, marketing, technical editing, formatting, and document layout design. Demonstrating knowledge of the production, consumption, and distribution of information and ideas to inform various audiences (specialists and non-specialists) via written, oral, and visual media. Focus on digital media platforms.
Identifying distinct audiences and crafts communications materials appropriately to effectively convey Office news and information. Recognizing or using correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; understanding and implementing writing style principles—such as concision, cohesion, coherence, and clarity—to communicate information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in the appropriate genre and in a brief, clear, and organized manner; producing written information, which may include complex and technical content, that is appropriate for the intended audiences.
Monitoring media coverage and analyzing public sentiment to gauge the effectiveness of communications efforts. Understanding and keeping up to date on the economic, political, and social trends affecting the organization and is aware of the organization's impact on the external environment.
Leading the team in: identifying, distributing, and balancing workload and tasks among employees in accordance with established work flow, skill level, and/or occupational specialization; making adjustments to accomplish the workload in accordance with established priorities to ensure timely accomplishment of assigned team tasks; and ensuring that each employee has an integral role in developing the final team product.

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Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
You must provide your SF-50 (see Required Documents section).
A one-year probationary period may be required.
A background investigation is required.
**This is not a bargaining unit position.
Generally, male applicants must be registered with the Selective Service.
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
You may be required to divest certain energy-related securities.

Time-in-grade requirements must be met within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement unless you are (1) eligible for a special hiring authority OR (2) reinstatement eligible.

You must meet qualification (experience and/or education) requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

To view the eligibility and qualification requirements of a Lead Public Affairs Specialist, GS-1035, please visit: Public Affairs Specialist, 1035.

You must have one full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 level. Specialized experience is defined as: having extensive experience and skills specifically related to managing and coordinating public relations and communication efforts. As a lead, the candidate would be responsible for overseeing and guiding the work of other public affairs professionals, demonstrating leadership and strategic capabilities in the realm of public relations.

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 any volunteer experience.

Please do not cut and paste the position description, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume, as this will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

Education

There is no education requirement for this position; therefore, transcripts are not required.

Additional information

Our employees ranked FERC as a top 5 mid-size agency in both Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) and Effective Leadership according to the Partnership for Public Service’s Best Places to Work in the Federal Government! In addition, FERC was also ranked #1 in Work-Life Balance and we are proud to offer telework and workplace flexibilities in accordance with agency policy.

The duty location of this position is Washington, DC. Agency employees are eligible for telework and other workplace flexibilities. Telework days and waiting periods for eligibility are determined when an employee enters on duty.

When promotion potential is shown, future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.

If selected for this position, you will be required to:

Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
Have your Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choice.
Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. FERC also participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). For more information about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.
Attend a mandatory ethics training. We are governed by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Standards of Conduct, the criminal conflict of interest statutes, and FERC’s supplemental ethics regulation, which specifically prohibits FERC employees from holding certain energy-related securities. To comply with these regulations and statutes, divestiture of these securities may be required after you begin employment. See 5 C.F.R. 2634-41; 18 U.S.C. 201-208; 5 C.F.R. 3401. If selected, you may also be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of appointment.
Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch.

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

Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your resume and any supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements for the position. Your resume must address the following competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities, and other characteristics):
- Communications and Media
- Writing
- External Awareness
- Leadership and Team Management
The online assessment is used to evaluate your relevant education and experience in relation to the required competencies for this position.
If you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the vacancy questionnaire. Your rating may be lowered if your responses are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your resume. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the selecting official.
You may be required to participate in a selection interview. If you are invited for an interview, you may be asked to bring a copy of your most recent performance appraisal. Please note - only your resume and cover letter will be forwarded to the selecting official.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

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.

If you do not provide all required documents by the closing date of this vacancy announcement, you will not be considered for this position or receive special consideration/hiring preference (e.g. veterans’ preference, ICTAP/CTAP eligibility, Schedule A, etc.).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR ALL CANDIDATES:
1. RESUME: Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. You must ensure it contains the following information for each experience/position:
  - Position title
  - Name of employer
  - Beginning and ending dates of employment (Month/Day/Year format)
  - Hours worked per week
  - Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable)
  - Series and grade or equivalent (for federal positions)
  - If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying based on your education, you must list your education history, including the type of degree and your major of study.
2. VACANCY QUESTIONNAIRE: You must submit and complete the online eligibility and vacancy questions.
3. TRANSCRIPTS (only required when the position has an education requirement, or you are qualifying for the position based on your education): You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts to verify your education. Unofficial copies are acceptable; however, if selected you will be required to provide official transcripts before your effective date.
4. STANDARD FORM 50 (SF-50)/NOTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ACTION: For former and/or current Federal employees (which includes eligibility under an interchange agreement with other Merit Systems), you must submit a copy of your most recent non-award SF-50, showing you are/were in the competitive service, your highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series, and grade. You may obtain a copy of your SF-50 from your official personnel record. FERC employees can access their official personnel records electronically, by using eOPF: https://eopf.opm.gov/ferc/. If you separated from the Federal government, you may obtain a copy of your SF-50 via the Federal Records Center, National Archives and Records Administration.
OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT PREFERENCE OR ELIGIBILITY CLAIMS:
1. VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT (VEOA): If you applying under VEOA, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an “Application for 10-point Veteran Preference” (SF-15), along with official VA letter and the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form. For more information about veterans' preference, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.
2. CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CTAP)/INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated “Well Qualified” for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information about CTAP/ICTAP, visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp. The following documents are required:
  - Reduction in Force or RIF notice – written notice of your expected separation, or other documentation of priority consideration status;
  - Latest SF-50 noting your current position, grade level, and duty location;
  - Last performance appraisal, including your rating; and
  - Any documentation from your agency showing your current promotion potential.
1. Schedule A eligibility (applicants with disabilities): The federal government has a streamlined hiring process for individuals with disabilities, known as Schedule A. For more information about Schedule A and eligibility requirements, visit: https://www.ferc.gov/careers/info-disabilities.asp.
The FERC Careers site provides detailed instructions on how to apply to FERC vacancies. For more information visit: https://www.ferc.gov/about/careers/job-searchapply.

Here are a few additional tips:
- When applying to a FERC vacancy announcement, please remember you must complete and submit your entire application (including your resume, vacancy questionnaire, and any applicable supporting documentation) no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Please note, it may take you longer to apply to some vacancy announcements than others. Starting your application late on the evening the vacancy closes is not recommended because you might not have enough time to ensure your application is successfully submitted and received.
- When the specialized experience statement in the vacancy announcement requires experience presenting information to a large audience, your resume should include speeches or presentations you've given.
- Make sure you verify that your resume clearly indicates possession of the competencies and specialized experience listed under the “Qualifications and Evaluations” and “How You Will Be Evaluated” sections of this announcement.
- Remember to submit all required and supporting documentation listed under the “Required Documents” section of this announcement.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
FERC provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact DisabilityManager@FERC.gov no later than 11:59 pm ET on the vacancy closing date. The decision to grant a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

For more information on telework, click the following link: USAJOBS Help Center | What is telework?

For more information on remote work, click the following link: USAJOBS Help Center | What is a remote job?
Agency contact information

Anita Collier

Phone

202-502-6709

Fax

000-000-0000

Email

Anita.Collier@ferc.gov

Address

FERC
888 First Street, NE
Washington, District of Columbia 20426
United States

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. You will be notified of the status of your application up to four times throughout the application process, via your USAJOBS dashboard. To verify the status of your application, both during and after the announcement open period, log on to your USAJOBS account. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an option to “Track this application.” Your “Applicant status” will also appear along with the dates you applied to this position and when your application was last updated. To learn more about your specific job status and how this helps you track jobs and applications visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status

Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement.

More than one selection for similar positions may be made from this announcement and the program office for that selection may vary. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s).
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Help

If you do not provide all required documents by the closing date of this vacancy announcement, you will not be considered for this position or receive special consideration/hiring preference (e.g. veterans’ preference, ICTAP/CTAP eligibility, Schedule A, etc.).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR ALL CANDIDATES:

RESUME: Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. You must ensure it contains the following information for each experience/position:
- Position title
- Name of employer
- Beginning and ending dates of employment (Month/Day/Year format)
- Hours worked per week
- Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable)
- Series and grade or equivalent (for federal positions)
- If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying based on your education, you must list your education history, including the type of degree and your major of study.
VACANCY QUESTIONNAIRE: You must submit and complete the online eligibility and vacancy questions.
TRANSCRIPTS (only required when the position has an education requirement, or you are qualifying for the position based on your education): You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts to verify your education. Unofficial copies are acceptable; however, if selected you will be required to provide official transcripts before your effective date.
STANDARD FORM 50 (SF-50)/NOTIFICATION OF PERSONNEL ACTION: For former and/or current Federal employees (which includes eligibility under an interchange agreement with other Merit Systems), you must submit a copy of your most recent non-award SF-50, showing you are/were in the competitive service, your highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series, and grade. You may obtain a copy of your SF-50 from your official personnel record. FERC employees can access their official personnel records electronically, by using eOPF: https://eopf.opm.gov/ferc/. If you separated from the Federal government, you may obtain a copy of your SF-50 via the Federal Records Center, National Archives and Records Administration.

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT PREFERENCE OR ELIGIBILITY CLAIMS:

VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT (VEOA): If you applying under VEOA, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an “Application for 10-point Veteran Preference” (SF-15), along with official VA letter and the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form. For more information about veterans' preference, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.
CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CTAP)/INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated “Well Qualified” for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information about CTAP/ICTAP, visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp. The following documents are required:
- Reduction in Force or RIF notice – written notice of your expected separation, or other documentation of priority consideration status;
- Latest SF-50 noting your current position, grade level, and duty location;
- Last performance appraisal, including your rating; and
- Any documentation from your agency showing your current promotion potential.

Schedule A eligibility (applicants with disabilities): The federal government has a streamlined hiring process for individuals with disabilities, known as Schedule A. For more information about Schedule A and eligibility requirements, visit: https://www.ferc.gov/careers/info-disabilities.asp.

Help

The FERC Careers site provides detailed instructions on how to apply to FERC vacancies. For more information visit: https://www.ferc.gov/about/careers/job-searchapply.

Here are a few additional tips:

When applying to a FERC vacancy announcement, please remember you must complete and submit your entire application (including your resume, vacancy questionnaire, and any applicable supporting documentation) no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Please note, it may take you longer to apply to some vacancy announcements than others. Starting your application late on the evening the vacancy closes is not recommended because you might not have enough time to ensure your application is successfully submitted and received.
When the specialized experience statement in the vacancy announcement requires experience presenting information to a large audience, your resume should include speeches or presentations you've given.
Make sure you verify that your resume clearly indicates possession of the competencies and specialized experience listed under the “Qualifications and Evaluations” and “How You Will Be Evaluated” sections of this announcement.
Remember to submit all required and supporting documentation listed under the “Required Documents” section of this announcement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
FERC provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact DisabilityManager@FERC.gov no later than 11:59 pm ET on the vacancy closing date. The decision to grant a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

For more information on telework, click the following link: USAJOBS Help Center | What is telework?

For more information on remote work, click the following link: USAJOBS Help Center | What is a remote job?

Agency contact information

Anita Collier

Phone: 202-502-6709
Fax: 000-000-0000
Email: Anita.Collier@ferc.gov
Address: FERC
888 First Street, NE
Washington, District of Columbia 20426
United States

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. You will be notified of the status of your application up to four times throughout the application process, via your USAJOBS dashboard. To verify the status of your application, both during and after the announcement open period, log on to your USAJOBS account. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an option to “Track this application.” Your “Applicant status” will also appear along with the dates you applied to this position and when your application was last updated. To learn more about your specific job status and how this helps you track jobs and applications visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status

Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement.

More than one selection for similar positions may be made from this announcement and the program office for that selection may vary. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s).

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

This job announcement has closed

Help

Reviewing applications

Open & closing dates

10/08/2024 to 10/17/2024
Salary

$117,962 - $153,354 per year
Pay scale & grade

GS 13
Location

1 vacancy in the following location:
- Washington, DC 1 vacancy
Remote job

No
Telework eligible

Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required

Occasional travel - Some travel may be required.
Relocation expenses reimbursed

No
Appointment type

Permanent
Work schedule

Full-Time
Service

Competitive
Promotion potential

13
Job family (Series)
- 1035 Public Affairs
Supervisory status

No
Security clearance

Other
Drug test

No
Position sensitivity and risk

Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
- Credentialing
- Suitability/Fitness
Financial disclosure

Yes
Bargaining unit status

No
Announcement number

FERC-MP-2025-0002
Control number

813193800

This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/813193800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.

Lead Public Affairs Specialist

Summary

Overview

Open & closing dates

Salary

Pay scale & grade

Location

Remote job

Telework eligible

Travel Required

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Appointment type

Work schedule

Service

Promotion potential

Job family (Series)

Supervisory status

Security clearance

Drug test

Position sensitivity and risk

Trust determination process

Financial disclosure

Bargaining unit status

Announcement number

Control number

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Videos

Duties

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Qualifications

Education

Additional information

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

How to Apply

Agency contact information

Next steps

Fair & Transparent