Public Affairs Specialist

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Public Affairs (OPA). OPA is charged with devising and implementing diverse public affairs and communication campaigns that promote the FTC's mission of ensuring robust competition across the U.S. economy, as well as protecting consumers. As a Senior Public Affairs Specialist, you are responsible for planning, designing and executing comprehensive, nationwide campaigns to communicate the FTC's programs and cases in consumer protection and antitrust law.

Duties

If you are selected for this position, as a Public Affairs Specialist, you will perform the following duties: Coordinates all components of national media campaigns to convey complex information concerning FTC decisions, cases, programs, research and services; Works on deadlines and in consultation with the OPA Director, Deputy Director and bureau staff, creates multi-faceted press plans that include key messages, strategies and tactics. Also, develops and writes materials designed to reach FTC audiences; Possesses the ability to talk about a range of competition (antitrust) and FTC enforcement and policy issues using social media and public relations; Responsible for developing effective relationships with news media covering a variety of consumer protection and FTC enforcement topics; Advises management on ways to improve communications between organizations and various FTC audiences; Responsible for handling requests from the media and outside entities, and providing counsel to the FTC Bureau of Competition and other bureaus and regional offices about the media and the audiences of the FTC: the general public, specialized groups, as well as community and governmental entities; Responsible for directing special events, ceremonies and other activities intended to develop interest in FTC programs; As a public affairs expert, takes complex legal issues, and translates them into readable, engaging materials, including but not limited to: news releases, media advisories, fact sheets, media plans, statements and/or speeches; Responsible for communicating the FTC's mission, accomplishments, policies, and rules, particularly in the area of competition (antitrust); Utilizes public relations tools including media research and database services, and all modes of social media; and Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To qualify for a Public Affairs Specialist at the GS-14 level, you must meet the following requirements: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: clearly and concisely conveying complex information; designing, planning and directing a comprehensive public affairs program for a large organization or federal government agency specifically for the issue areas encompassing national consumer protection and/ or domestic law enforcement; devised and executed a public relations program explicitly related to commerce, legal or economic policy, and/or written news releases explicitly related to commerce or economic policy for a large (national in scope) organization or U.S. federal agency, or worked as a professional journalist writing about commerce or economic policy for a national news outlet. Knowledge of antitrust and competition issues is preferred but not required. 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

There is no education requirement for this position or substitution of education for specialized experience at this grade level.

How you will be evaluated

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are found qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Performance Appraisals: In the evaluation process, due weight will be given to job related experience, education, training, incentive awards and performance appraisals. Applicants must have a performance rating of at least the equivalent of fully successful to be eligible for promotion or placement. Applicants may provide a copy of a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months. If the applicant is unable to provide a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months, the applicant may provide a written explanation as to why. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete application package which includes: 1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed 2. Other supporting documents: - Cover Letter, optional - Two writing samples including a press release or news story on national consumer protection and/or domestic law enforcement, commerce or economic policy - College transcript(s), if qualifying based on education - Most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service) - Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable - DD-214, SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities - Noncompetitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable - Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must submit SF-50(s) that verify your highest competitive grade, full performance level, and eligibility as a federal applicant. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility. For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 must show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing. We recommend submitting your last promotion SF-50 or within-grade increase SF-50. Pay adjustment raise SF-50s for the current year will not support the 52 weeks' time-in-grade requirements. https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/service/SF-50/

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13091262.

Other information

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. Career Transition Assistance Programs: 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 Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 87 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: ICTAP/CTAP Non-competitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on non-competitive appointment authority eligibility requirements: - Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A - Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans - Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses - Other Special Appointment Authorities

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.