Summary

This position is located in the Office of Public Affairs and Training's (OPAT), Communications Division and ensures a cohesive, consistent food safety message within the agency, across the Department and to all stakeholders. The Communication Division develops and conducts public information campaigns to inform and educate a variety of offices, including Congress, the media, industry, consumers and employees.

Duties

Help

• Lead the creation and execution of internal and external communication plans-including digital and executive communications-to inform stakeholders of FSIS priorities and initiatives.
• Advise on food safety education campaigns, communications to media, Congress, and key stakeholders, ensuring alignment with agency goals.
• Represent the agency on matters directly supporting the Administrator and Under Secretary for Food Safety, including complex public health and policy issues.
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise FSIS legislative activities, including preparation and analysis of legislative documents, and communication with Congress, committees, and other government agencies.
• Ensure production and clearance of media talking points, social media content, news releases, web content, recall releases, fact sheets, newsletters, testimony, reports to Congress, and other materials.
• Plan and assign work, set priorities, evaluate performance, provide guidance, recommend personnel actions, resolve complaints, and identify training needs for Communications Division staff.
• Maintain close and continuous lines of communication between FSIS, Department, other government agencies, Congress, industry, consumer groups, and the public to coordinate responses and present information.
• Formulate strategies on public health, scientific, and regulatory issues to effectively communicate agency policies and programs to diverse audiences.
• Create materials for FSIS leadership, including reports, briefing papers, special studies, and informational documents related to Congressional and media operations.
• Evaluate staff operations, promote safety, cost reduction, incentive awards, and review work methods and organizational features to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal Service.
• If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement as defined below.

Time in Grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet the time-in-grade requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level (GS-14) in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

For the GS-15 grade level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-14 grade level) demonstrating the following:

• Program management.
• Creating internal and external communication plans.
• Coordinating legislative activities such as Congressional communications or clearance processes.
• Maintaining contact and collaborative working relationships with external and internal stakeholders.
• Designing, implementing, and integrating activities of subordinate offices.
• Providing briefings, spokesperson duties, or press engagement.
• Developing web and social communications along with internal messaging.

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 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 are no educational requirements or substitutions for experience for this position.

Additional information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).

Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.

For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website.

Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Refer to PUBLIC LAW 114-47-AUG. 7, 2015 for more information.

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.

Benefits

Help

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.

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.