Public Affairs Specialist

Summary

This position is located in the Office of External Relations of the U.S. International Trade Commission. We are seeking a candidate who has a strong public affairs background and is detail-oriented, collaborative and has strong writing skills.

This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• Family of overseas employees
  
  Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is or was, working overseas.
• Federal employees - Competitive service
  
  Current or former competitive service federal employees.
• Individuals with disabilities
• Military spouses
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Special authorities
  
  Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
• Veterans

Clarification from the agency

Open to current/former Federal employees with competitive/reinstatement eligibility; ICTAP and CTAP eligibles; Veterans' Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) eligible; Eligible military spouses; Schedule A eligibles.

Duties

This position is in the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC or Commission), Office of External Relations. The mission of the Office of External Relations is to develop and maintain an effective liaison program between the USITC and its varied external customers and manage the public information activities for the agency. The office is the focal point for contacts with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and other executive branch agencies, Congress, foreign governments, international organizations, the public, and the international, national, and local news media.

The incumbent oversees the Commission's public affairs program. Accomplishes wide-ranging and special projects and initiatives related to public affairs and external communications with primary responsibility of researching, planning, executing, and evaluating complex public affairs operations, programs, policies, and strategies of significant importance and which affect functional areas and multiple organizational levels.

• Serves as the primary media spokesperson for the Commission.
• Prepares news releases, public information/education materials, web content, and other informational materials pertaining to the Commission, Commissioners, personnel (when appropriate), and Commission determinations and activities.
• Publicizes Commission public hearings and performs public affairs activities in conjunction with out-of-town hearings, roundtables, and meetings by the Commissioners and senior staff.
• Investigates new communication tools and recommends how and whether Commission should use them, including working with attorneys, information technology team, and contracting officials to manage legal, operational, and procurement issues.
• Develops new methods for analytical work and leverages media tools to analyze media exposure and coverage trends of Commission proceedings, determinations, and reports.
• Monitors news media coverage of Commission activities and personalities and manages the distribution of daily news clips to Commissioners and senior staff.
• Manages Commission official portraiture and photography of key events and activities.
• Gathers and synthesizes information and produces informational materials concerning departmental policies, programs, and activities for dissemination to the news media, as appropriate.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with all media, both foreign and domestic, and develop and disseminate informational materials to pertinent publics through the media.
• Provides information to the public and assists them in their understanding of and participation in proceedings before the Commission. Produces Commission materials and public information sheets for publication to the Commission website and manages distribution on request.
• Serves as a liaison with and responds to inquiries from news media (international, national, and local), stakeholders, and other U.S. Government agencies' public affairs offices that have an international trade mandate.
• Assists public and stakeholders with questions regarding the organization's mission and operations; serves as the Office of External Relations POC/Liaison for various systems, programs and units; and performs the role of quality assurance manager, as needed.
• Participates as the Office of External Relations' representative on the Information Technology Committee, as well as other Commission working groups related to information technology and public information platform development.
• Counsels and provides training and guidance to Commissioners, senior management, and staff on public and media relations matters.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• You will be required to successfully complete a background investigation.
• You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• You are required to register for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/03/1959.
• You may be required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

Qualifications

You must meet all the requirements below by the closing date of the announcement and they must be clearly identified in your application, resume, or supporting documents. This includes any general and specialized experience, education, and/or selective placement factors mentioned. These are used to determine if you possess the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to successfully perform in this position.

To qualify at the GS-14 level, you must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 obtained in the federal or private sector which demonstrates all of the following:

• Assisting in the implementation of communications strategies and outreach initiatives to effectively convey complex information on critical issues; AND
• Establishing and maintaining productive relationships with national or international media representatives; AND
• Assisting in development of innovative methods and plans to disseminate information about agency programs, while evaluating the effectiveness of various communication methods (i.e., web, social media, streaming/video, etc.); AND
• Independently preparing press materials and informational materials for distribution to news media and to the public, including news releases, publications, web and digital content, reports, brochures, presentations, announcements, speeches, visual data products and other informational content on matters specific to an organizations mission.

To qualify at the GS-15 level, you must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 obtained in the federal or private sector which demonstrates all of the following:

• Providing leadership in the development and implementation of communications strategies and outreach initiatives to effectively convey complex information on critical significant issues; AND
• Establish and maintaining productive relationships with national or international media representatives; AND
• Developing innovative methods and plans to disseminate information about agency programs, while evaluating the effectiveness of various communication methods (i.e., web, social media, streaming/video, etc.); AND
• Managing the preparation of and independently preparing press materials and informational content for distribution to news media and to the public, including news releases, publications, web and digital content, reports, brochures, presentations, announcements, speeches, visual data products and other informational materials on matters of international trade and competitiveness.

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.

Education

There is no education requirement for this position.

Additional information

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you are registered with the Selective Service or are exempt under Selective Service regulations. For additional information concerning Selective Service requirements, please visit https://www.sss.gov

Foreign Education Credential Interpretation: https://www.naces.org/members

DD-214: https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

SF-15 (veterans claiming 10-point preference): https://www.gsa.gov/system/files/SF15-13.pdf

Special hiring authorities for veterans: https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/veterans/special-hiring-authorities/#content

Severely disabled persons program information: https://www.opm.gov/about-us/careers-at-opm/individuals-with-disabilities/

Cover page to fax paper application - OPM Form 1203fx: Occupational Questionnaire - OPM Form 1203-FXThis position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, and acts of terrorism or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 U.S.C. § 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as applicable). If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Commission. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.

Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed in the Overview section.

Assessment Question: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12459746

Vacancy ID number: MP-24-063-MW

Reasonable accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact listed on the vacancy announcement. The decision to grant a reasonable accommodation is made on a case-by-case basis.

Verification of information: Any information claimed on your resume and in application materials, such as education, credentials, employment history, etc., will be verified as part of the security clearance process.

• 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. 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The self-assessment questions are related to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies (KSA's). You do not have to respond to the KSA's.

• Communication and Media
• Written and Oral Communication
• Customer Service and Problem Solving
• Strategic Thinking, Data Gathering and Analysis
• Teamwork, Project Accomplishment and Organization

Your responses to the self-assessment questions serve as the basis for your initial rating. You will receive a numerical score based on your responses to these questions.

Next, your responses will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert against the information provided in your resume. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

If referred all relevant documents submitted with your application package will be forwarded to the selecting official. Falsifying your background, education, and/or experience is cause for not hiring you or for changing your scored responses to questions you've answered, which may affect your overall final score.

Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR § 335.103(b)(3).Your experience is also evaluated using an assessment questionnaire, which is available at the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12459746

• 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. 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.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  To receive consideration, you must complete the self assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified below by 08/29/2024
  
  1. Resume: Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience(s) as it relates to this job opportunity. In order to fully evaluate your application and receive proper credit, your resume should include: (1) paid and non-paid experience, job title, dates held (month and year for qualifying purposes to receive credit), number of hours worked per week, and salary (2) knowledge of the subject matter and technical skills pertinent to this position; (3) specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work; and (4) names and phone numbers of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this job opportunity announcement for each grade level(s) for which you are applying.
  
  2. Self-assessment questionnaire: A completed job-specific questionnaire should be submitted through your Application Manager account.
  
  3. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles.You must submit the following documents:
  
  • a copy of your agency notice;
  • a copy of your most recent performance rating; and
  • a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location
  
  4. Cover Letter. This is optional.
  
  5. Special hiring authority applicants. If you are applying under the special appointing authority such as those authorized for the severely disabled (Schedule A) or Vietnam era and disabled veterans (VRA), you will be asked to submit documents showing eligibility to non-competitively apply under Merit Assignment announcements. Please indicate the type of special appointment you are seeking on your application. For more info on non-competitive appointments and supporting documents, please visit Federal Employment of People with Disabilities or Feds Hire Vets - Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans.
  
  6. SF-50. Current and former federal employees must submit a copy of an SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action," which documents your highest permanent grade/step/salary held. Award SF-50s typically don't contain your grade/step/salary.
  
  7. Performance Appraisal. If you're a current or former federal employee, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal dated within 18 months. If you do not have one, you must submit a statement.
  
  8. Transcripts: (for Individual Occupational Requirements and/or Substitution of Education for specialized experience): You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts for verification of the education requirements. Unofficial copies are acceptable, however, if selected you will be required to furnish official transcripts. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the above educational requirements. Inadequate or illegible information could result in non-qualification and loss of consideration.
  
  Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - US Department of Education. Another listing of services that an perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
  
  
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  
  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.
  
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to Apply
  
  To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
  
  The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on08/29/2024 to receive consideration.
  
  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.
  
  2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.
  
  3. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  
  4. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
  
  The Vacancy ID is 12459746
  
  Agency contact information
  
  Melanie West
  
  Email
  
  Melanie.West@usitc.gov
  
  Address
  
  Office of External Relations
  
  500 E St SW
  
  Washington, DC 20436
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. During the evaluation and interview process you may be asked to provide written responses to questions or writing samples.
  
  To check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the More Information link under the application status for this position.
  
  You will be notified up to four times during the hiring process:
  
  1. Upon receipt of your application
  2. Upon minimum qualifications determination
  3. After candidates have been referred to the hiring official
  4. Once a selection has been made
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

To receive consideration, you must complete the self assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified below by 08/29/2024

1. Resume: Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience(s) as it relates to this job opportunity. In order to fully evaluate your application and receive proper credit, your resume should include: (1) paid and non-paid experience, job title, dates held (month and year for qualifying purposes to receive credit), number of hours worked per week, and salary (2) knowledge of the subject matter and technical skills pertinent to this position; (3) specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work; and (4) names and phone numbers of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this job opportunity announcement for each grade level(s) for which you are applying.

2. Self-assessment questionnaire: A completed job-specific questionnaire should be submitted through your Application Manager account.

3. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles.You must submit the following documents:

• a copy of your agency notice;
• a copy of your most recent performance rating; and
• a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location

4. Cover Letter. This is optional.

5. Special hiring authority applicants. If you are applying under the special appointing authority such as those authorized for the severely disabled (Schedule A) or Vietnam era and disabled veterans (VRA), you will be asked to submit documents showing eligibility to non-competitively apply under Merit Assignment announcements. Please indicate the type of special appointment you are seeking on your application. For more info on non-competitive appointments and supporting documents, please visit Federal Employment of People with Disabilities or Feds Hire Vets - Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans.

6. SF-50. Current and former federal employees must submit a copy of an SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action," which documents your highest permanent grade/step/salary held. Award SF-50s typically don't contain your grade/step/salary.

7. Performance Appraisal. If you're a current or former federal employee, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal dated within 18 months. If you do not have one, you must submit a statement.

8. Transcripts: (for Individual Occupational Requirements and/or Substitution of Education for specialized experience): You MUST submit copies of your college transcripts for verification of the education requirements. Unofficial copies are acceptable, however, if selected you will be required to furnish official transcripts. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the above educational requirements. Inadequate or illegible information could result in non-qualification and loss of consideration.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - US Department of Education. Another listing of services that an perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.


If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on08/29/2024 to receive consideration.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the assessment questionnaire.

2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.

3. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

4. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

The Vacancy ID is 12459746

Agency contact information

Melanie West

Email

Melanie.West@usitc.gov

Address

Office of External Relations

500 E St SW

Washington, DC 20436

US

Next steps

Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. During the evaluation and interview process you may be asked to provide written responses to questions or writing samples.

To check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the More Information link under the application status for this position.

You will be notified up to four times during the hiring process:

1. Upon receipt of your application
2. Upon minimum qualifications determination
3. After candidates have been referred to the hiring official
4. Once a selection has been made

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request