Summary

The Office of Public Affairs is seeking a Supervisory Communications Specialist (Branch Chief, Strategic Communications). As Branch Chief, Strategic Communications, you will supervise staff to execute internal and external communications and media relations for the agency.

Duties

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In this role as a Branch Chief, you will be responsible for:

• Supporting OPA senior staff in executing goals and objectives relative to OPA's strategic initiatives.
• Engaging with agency-wide subject matter experts to communicate information on the agency's key priorities, programs, and operational initiatives; remediate risks; respond to issues; and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Managing the execution of media relations initiatives, including overseeing the release of public announcements and staff engagement with members of the press.
• Establishing best practices, business processes, and standard operating procedures for efficient communications workflows, projects, initiatives, and effective customer service.
• Performing a broad range of supervisory duties and tasks, including evaluating employee performance; making recommendations for appointment and promotion; identifying development and training needs of employees; approving time and attendance; resource management; monitoring team workload and productivity; and other related supervisory functions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• CITZENSHIP: You must be a US Citizen.
• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/)
• SECURITY CLEARANCE: Entrance on duty is contingent upon completion of a pre-employment security investigation. Favorable results on a Background Investigation may be a condition of employment or selection to another position.
• DRUG TESTING: This position may be subjected to drug testing requirements.
• PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS): Moving/Relocation expenses are not authorized.
• DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• SUPERVISORY PROBATIONARY PERIOD: This appointment may require completion of a two year supervisory/managerial probationary period.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: This appointment may require completion of a one-year probationary period.
• The selectee is required to report to the duty station(s) listed.

Qualifications

Applicants are responsible for confirming all required materials are submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Please check the HowYou Will Be Evaluated and Required Documents sections carefully, as missing documents will render the application incomplete and ineligible for review.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector. 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. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT:

SK-15: Applicant must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-13 level. Specialized experience includes:

1. Managing day-to-day communications workflows, projects, or initiatives; AND
2. Executing and contributing to media relations initiatives, including overseeing the release of public announcements and engaging with members of the press; AND
3. Managing short- and long-range projects, including developing timelines, coordinating resources, tracking deliverables, or monitoring progress toward milestones; AND
4. Implementing strategic priorities and operational direction established by senior leadership.

ACCOMPLISHMENT RECORD COMPETENCIES: Your Accomplishment Record narratives should address the following competencies. See the How You Will Be Evaluated section below for more information:

Competency 1: Program Management: Ability to develop and execute programs to deliver results that efficiently and effectively meet Agency's mission, strategic plan, and goals, with little or no guidance.

Competency 2: Strategic Execution: Understand and implement Agency's and Division/Office's policies and goals, with regard to personnel or programs in their purview, anticipating, identifying, and addressing the impact of internal and external environmental factors, linking them to capabilities and potential of the organization.

Competency 3: Influencing/Negotiating: Ability to change or transform opinions and behaviors, gaining buy-in, in order to achieve desired organizational outcomes.

Competency 4: Problem Solving and Decision Making: Ability to identify and solve important problems relevant to program areas through sound and timely decision making, even in less than ideal situations, with little or no guidance.

Additional information

Supplementary vacancies may be filled in addition to the number stated in this announcement and may be filled from any division or office within the agency.

SEC COMPENSATION PROGRAM: Total salary (base pay + locality) is dependent upon duty location. The overall salary range listed above is provided for informational purposes; a selectee's initial pay will be established below the maximum rate of the range. The pay for current SEC employees will be determined according to the procedures specified in the agency's policy. Please visit the agency's Compensation Overview page for more information.

Benefits

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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. Opens in a new windowLearn 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.