Public Affairs Specialist

Washington Headquarters Services • Alexandria, VA

23h • Onsite

About The Position

The mission of the Planning, Performance, & Integration Office (PPIO) is to advance the enterprise-wide strategic direction of the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) in achieving its goals and objectives. PPIO manages and moves forward WHS organizational performance by delivering frameworks that establish cross-functional standards, conducting performance management, and ensuring integration efforts, outreach, and engagement are aligned and deliver strategic outcomes for WHS and its customers. The Public Affairs Specialist is charged with advancing both internal and external communications strategies that promote the overarching mission and objectives of the WHS.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period
• Must be determined suitable for Federal employment
• Required to participate in the direct deposit program
• This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing
• This position is subject to the DoW Priority Placement Program
• This position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your experience: Planning and executing strategic public affairs campaigns to translate complex organizational policies and programs into clear, consistent public messages; managing internal communication channels (such as newsletters, employee surveys, and digital platforms); and leading community outreach workshops to drive stakeholder engagement.
• All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.
• Your resume may not exceed two (2) pages.
• For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume.
• If a determination is not able to be made about the duration of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration.

Nice To Haves

• ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: Federal agencies treat active-duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, as part of their application package, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, indicating the service member is otherwise eligible and will be discharged or released within 120 days from the date of submission.
• Current or Former Political Appointees: Agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level.
• If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career Senior Executive Service employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources (HR) Office.
• Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.
• Education cannot be substituted for experience.
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): This program applies 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 ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility.
• Reemployed Annuitants: Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal service are subject to the DoW Policy on The Employment of Annuitants (DODI 1400.25, volume 300).
• Nepotism : Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative.
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Formulates, executes, and evaluates comprehensive strategic communication and public affairs plans; establishing information policies, translating complex organizational priorities into clear messaging, and advising senior leadership on potential public, congressional, and media reactions to proposed policies or agency actions.
• Develops, designs, and disseminates diverse public outreach materials across print, broadcast, and digital platforms; leading strategic workshops, seminars, and focus groups with departmental stakeholders and external organizations to drive program participation and evaluate public perception.
• Directs and manages comprehensive internal communication programs to foster workforce cohesion and mission alignment; authoring enterprise newsletters, digital communications, and informational materials for headquarters and field offices (including foreign national personnel).
• Establishes, maintains, and coordinates active working relationships with national and international news media representatives; organizing media interviews, producing press materials, and monitoring mass and specialized media coverage to evaluate and improve public awareness of agency benefits.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Learn more about federal benefits.
• Review our benefits
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
• Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

What This Job Offers

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