Public Affairs Specialist

Department of State Headquarters • Washington, DC

1d

About The Position

The position is located in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), whose mission is to foster mutual understanding and peaceful relations between the United States and other countries through international educational and cultural exchange and training programs. The Public Affairs Specialist develops media relationships and communications materials, plans public affairs strategies for events, oversees related projects, and creates online content for ECA platforms in partnership with the digital communications team.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Incumbent is subject to random drug testing.
• Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time-after-competitive-appointment requirements by the announcement closing date; federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service, demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the job.
• Experience conducting proactive media outreach, including identifying story opportunities, pitching stories or opinion pieces, and arranging media appearances for senior officials.
• Experience building media relationships and responding to inquiries under tight deadlines.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and editing communications materials, including press releases, media advisories, talking points, press guidance, briefing materials, interview preparation materials, and social media content.
• Experience developing and executing communications and media-relations strategies for complex, sensitive, or rapidly evolving issues; anticipating risks and opportunities; and advising senior leadership.
• Experience coordinating and obtaining clearance for communications products across Department, interagency, and external stakeholders.
• Education cannot substitute for the specialized experience requirement for the GS-13 position.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain close working relationships with editorial, production, and assignment executives in electronic and print media, as well as working news professionals.
• Develop, review, and edit communications materials, including news releases, media advisories, speeches, talking points, brochures, press guidance, briefing memoranda, and other written communications.
• Develop public affairs strategies for specific events, prepare promotional materials, and supervise project execution.
• Develop online and web-based content for ECA digital platforms in partnership with the digital communications team.
• Conduct proactive media outreach by identifying story opportunities, pitching stories or opinion pieces, and arranging media appearances for senior officials.
• Build relationships with media representatives and respond to media inquiries under tight deadlines.
• Develop and execute communications and media-relations strategies for complex, sensitive, or rapidly evolving issues; anticipate risks and opportunities; and advise senior leadership.
• Coordinate and obtain clearance for communications products across Department, interagency, and external stakeholders.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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