Public Affairs Specialist

Department of State Headquarters • Washington, DC

8d

About The Position

The position is in the Bureau of Global Public Affairs, Office of Strategy, Office of Analytics, Media Monitoring (GPA/ST/AN). The incumbent provides expert communications planning and technical advice, monitors and analyzes collected media content related to U.S. national security objectives and Public Diplomacy, and provides assessments to improve Bureau and Department communications and outreach efforts. The GS-12 position performs essentially the same duties as the GS-13 position under closer supervision and with a lower level of complexity.

The specialist advises senior Bureau and Department officials on strategies to advance U.S. interests through foreign policy messaging delivered to target audiences, strategic partners, and stakeholders. The role monitors traditional and social media, produces timely reporting and analysis, coordinates special reports on key foreign policy topics, and works with Bureau elements, regional bureaus, overseas missions, and other stakeholders to improve products, content, and distribution methods.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to meet time-in-grade requirements.
• For GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 in the Federal service, including experience researching and interpreting U.S. national security and public diplomacy objectives; producing media narrative analyses, short-form analytical reports, and daily assessments; maintaining strategic networks across Department of State offices and U.S. Government partners; and using digital analytics and social listening tools to analyze complex datasets and support rapid-response or crisis operations.
• For GS-13: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 in the Federal service, including experience researching and interpreting complex U.S. national security and public diplomacy objectives; producing high-level analytical reports and daily assessments; analyzing public affairs activities and recommending communications improvements; building and maintaining strategic networks; and using advanced analytics and social listening tools to produce media narrative analyses and reports.
• Applicants must meet qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.
• There is no substitute of education for specialized experience at either the GS-12 or GS-13 level.

Responsibilities

• Advise senior GPA and Department officials on strategies for advancing U.S. interests through foreign policy messaging to target audiences, strategic partners, and stakeholders.
• Monitor and evaluate traditional and social media content and outlets to inform or adjust Department foreign policy communications strategies for domestic and international audiences.
• Provide timely media reporting and analyses.
• Coordinate with the Office Director to develop special reports on traditional and social media covering key foreign policy topics.
• Liaise and collaborate with GPA elements, GPA/ST staff, regional bureaus, overseas missions, and other stakeholders to resolve issues and improve GPA products, content, and distribution methods.
• Research and interpret U.S. national security and public diplomacy objectives and produce media narrative analyses, short-form analytical reports, and daily assessments.
• Analyze public affairs activities and recommend improvements to Department communications on U.S. foreign policy.
• Build and maintain strategic networks across Department of State offices and U.S. Government partners to share data and analysis and align public affairs messaging.
• Use digital analytics and social listening tools to analyze datasets, monitor media environments, and support rapid-response or crisis operations.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed