PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Summary

About the Position:Functions as a senior Public Affairs Specialist, assigned to the New York District's Public AffairsOffice, responsible for planning and coordinating the dissemination of internal and externalinformation relating the operations and activities associated with the missions, programs and projects of the District.

USACE New York District will be relocating from 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY to 3 Second Street, Jersey City, NJ in March 2027.

Duties

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• Plans and coordinates the dissemination of internal and external information concerning District missions, programs, projects, operations, and activities.
• Develops public-affairs plans and communication strategies to inform and educate the general public and targeted audiences.
• Produces public-affairs communication products, including briefings, news releases, newsletters, flyers, brochures, exhibits, web content, social-media content, photographs, video, and other promotional materials.
• Researches topics, conducts interviews and field visits, and writes, edits, designs, and proofs public-affairs materials for publication.
• Executes public-outreach and public-involvement activities; coordinates information release with leadership and stakeholders; and responds to public and media inquiries.
• Serves as an on-call duty officer for media queries during non-duty hours and may serve as the acting Public Affairs Officer/chief when the supervisor is unavailable.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• USACE New York will relocate from 26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY to 3 Second Street, Jersey City, NJ in March 2027.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315.
• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of up to 20% of the time.
• Serves as an on-call duty officer for media queries during non-duty hours and may serve as the acting Public Affairs Officer/chief when the supervisor is unavailable.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

• Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
• Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
• Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes; 1) Assisting in researching and analyzing public opinion and news media trends to support the development of communication strategies; AND 2) Developing and editing informational materials, such as articles, web content, and presentations, ensuring they are suitable for the intended audience and meet established deadlines; AND 3) Preparing initial drafts of news releases, feature articles, and other materials for dissemination to the news media. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-11).

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience aloneno substitution of education for experience is permitted.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

ACCREDITATION: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/).

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
• This is a Public Affairs and Communication Media Career Field position.
• Situational Telework may be authorized at the discretion of the agency.

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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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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.

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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.