Public Affairs Specialist (Speechwriter)

Summary

This position is located in the Public Affairs Staff, Office of External Affairs, Office of the Director, Indian Health Service. Reports to IHS Headquarters. The official duty station is at IHS Headquarters, Rockville, MD.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Duties

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• Serves as the Agency-level technical authority for executive speechwriting and message development, advising the Director of Public Affairs and senior IHS leadership on formulations, articulation timing, tone, and public affairs implications of executive communications,
• Plans, develops, and produces authoritative speeches, keynote remarks, talking points, statements, message frameworks, briefing materials, and other executive communications for the IHS Director and other senior officials on the full range of IHS programs, policies, services, priorities, and emerging issues.
• Integrates complex, sensitive, and sometimes conflicting policy, scientific, clinical, operational, legislative, and stakeholder information into clear and accurate executive communications.
• Develops new communication approaches for high-visibility, sensitive, controversial, or unprecedented issues; anticipates likely audience reaction and recommends changes in framing, sequencing, emphasis, and supporting information to advance Agency objectives.
• Ensures executive communications are consistent with IHS and HHS policy, cleared positions, public affairs requirements, and the strategic priorities of Agency leadership.
• Independently researches and analyzes Agency programs and issues; identifies information gaps, conflicting interpretations, reputational or public-understanding risks, and matters requiring leadership resolution before communications are finalized.
• Leads cross-Agency development and clearance of executive remarks, coordinating with senior executives, Area Directors, program directors, subject matter experts, HHS public affairs officials, and other offices as appropriate.
• Exercises judgment and discretion in handling predecisional, sensitive, embargoed, or confidential
  information and determines how such information may be appropriately reflected in public affairs products consistent with applicable policy and clearance requirements.
• Reviews and edits high-level PAS products to ensure consistency of Agency voice, message architecture, policy positions, accessibility, and strategic communications objectives across internal and external channels.
• Advises senior management on communication considerations associated with proposed or emerging policies, programs, events, and issues.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of executive messaging using available audience feedback, stakeholder input, media coverage, engagement data, and lessons learned.
• Represents PAS in high-level planning discussions and maintains working relationships with officials and stakeholders.
• Provides authoritative technical guidance to public affairs staff and Agency communicators on executive writing, message development, audience analysis, strategic framing, and clearance practices.
• Develops and improves Agency resources.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period

ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period

U.S. Citizenship is required

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation Requirement:

This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.

A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.

Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement:

This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.

Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

GS-14 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service that includes Experience developing speeches, executive remarks, talking points, briefing materials, and other strategic communications for senior leadership on complex or sensitive organizational programs and issues; researching, analyzing, and synthesizing policy, programmatic, technical, and stakeholder information to develop clear and accurate public affairs messaging; coordinating the development, review, and clearance of executive communications with senior officials, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders; and advising management on communication strategies, audience considerations, messaging approaches, and public affairs implications of proposed or emerging issues.

Time In Grade

Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

There are no education requirements.

Additional information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/[redacted]5-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.

This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: https://www.usphs.gov/.

You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions.

1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government?
2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness?
3. In this role, you will be expected to professionally and efficiently implement executive direction. Provide an example where you implemented leadership direction on a strategy or policy decision that differed from your own recommendation.
4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements?

• Your responses are optional and will not be scored.
• However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process.
• You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).

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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

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