Summary

As a Public Affairs Specialist with the Office of Communications you will serve as creative and technical producer, writer and editor for multimedia materials.

This job is open to

• Recent graduates
  
  Individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years or 6 years for Veterans.

Clarification from the agency

Open to individuals who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree within the previous two years or Veterans who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree and have an intervening period of obligated service of at least four years in the uniformed services. The two-year eligibility period begins on the date of discharge or release from the uniformed service. (See the Qualifications section for further details.)

Duties

• Serve as a resource for public outreach and marketing OPM to its customers, stakeholders, employees and the general public, with emphasis on maintaining effective relationships with the media and engaging the public as well as working on specialty media events sponsored by and showcasing OPM.
• Analyze inquiries from the news media and drafts responses under deadline pressure through correspondence, direct interviews and briefings.
• Draft a variety of communication products such as news releases, radio, television, video and pod cast scripts, talking points, feature articles, news conferences, testimony, exhibits, brochures, pamphlets, etc. for management's review.
• Draft informational materials to a variety of outlets to enhance the understanding of particular issues, policies and practices advocated by the OPM Director and the OC Director.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• This position is eligible for inclusion in the bargaining unit. The union that represents employees in this position is the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 32.

Qualifications

Applicants must have one of the following:

• One year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the private or public sector) performing ALL of the following tasks: 1) working with the press to provide information on the record ; 2) analyzing inquiries from news media to develop responses under deadline pressure through correspondence, direct interviews, or briefings and; 3) developing new information material such as news releases, fact sheets, brochures, booklets, or broadcasts spots that increase communication with the agency's various public.
• Have a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work. Examples are Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, English, Business Administration or other similar degrees.
• Have an equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate level education described above. To calculate, first take the number of semester hours or equivalent earned towards a graduate degree, in excess of 18 semester hours, and divide by 18. Then take the number of months of full-time experience and divide by 12. Add the percentages together. The total must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.

To meet eligibility requirements, you must have obtained a qualifying Bachelor's or Master's from a qualifying educational institution, within the previous two years. ATTENTION VETERANS: A veteran, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2108, who due to military service obligation, was precluded from applying for a college graduate position during any portion of the two-year eligibility period shall have a full two-year period of eligibility upon his or her release or discharge from active duty. In no event, however, may the individual's eligibility period extend beyond six years from the date on which the individual completed the requirements of an academic course of study.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Other incentives may be considered.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across OPM.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration).

This position has promotion to the GS-13 level. There is no obligation to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Promotions are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the need for an employee promoted to the higher level, and supervisory approval.

• 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.
  
  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.

Once the application process is complete, your resume will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement.

This College Graduate announcement is open to applicants who received a bachelors or advanced degree within the previous two years. Applicants meeting the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements will be referred to the selecting official.

Rating/ranking and veterans' preference does not apply to this position.

Qualified applicants will be placed in one category grouping for referral.

• 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.
  
  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 apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
  
  1. Your Resume showing your name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
  2. Your college transcripts showing that you are meet college graduate eligibility for this position as described in the Qualifications and Evaluations" section of this announcement.
  3. If your are claiming extended eligibility due to military service obligation during the two-year period following graduation, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.
  4. Other supporting documents:
     
     • Cover Letter, optional and will not be used to verify experience.
  
  Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
• How to Apply
  
  To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST)on 07/12/2024 to receive consideration.Due to the high number of applications we anticipate for the vacancy, this announcement will close at midnight on the day we receive 100 applications or 07/12/2024 - whichever comes first. Regardless of the number of applications it will be open for a minimum of two days.To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
  
  • You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
  • You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
  • To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account and select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  
  You may preview the assessment questionnaire by clicking here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12418320
  
  Agency contact information
  
  OPM Human Resources
  
  Phone
  
  202-606-9321
  
  Email
  
  jobs@opm.gov
  
  Address
  
  OPM Human Resources
  
  1900 E St., NW
  
  Washington, DC 20415
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  The questionnaire will assess your qualifications for the job, and will be used to identify the best qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. Your ratings in this Assessment Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents and references you submit. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your ratings. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency during the probationary period.
  
  Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application.
  
  We expect to make a job offer within 40 days after the closing date of the announcement. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
  
  An agency may not request, orally, in writing, or electronically through the USA Jobs website or other electronic means, that an applicant for appointment for a position in the civil service disclose criminal history record information before the appointing agency extends a conditional offer of employment. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit https://www.opm.gov/about-us/careers-at-opm/opportunities/
• 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 apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Resume showing your name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. Your college transcripts showing that you are meet college graduate eligibility for this position as described in the Qualifications and Evaluations" section of this announcement.
3. If your are claiming extended eligibility due to military service obligation during the two-year period following graduation, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service.
4. Other supporting documents:
   
   • Cover Letter, optional and will not be used to verify experience.

Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST)on 07/12/2024 to receive consideration.Due to the high number of applications we anticipate for the vacancy, this announcement will close at midnight on the day we receive 100 applications or 07/12/2024 - whichever comes first. Regardless of the number of applications it will be open for a minimum of two days.To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.

• You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
• You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
• To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account and select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

You may preview the assessment questionnaire by clicking here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12418320

Agency contact information

OPM Human Resources

Phone

202-606-9321

Email

jobs@opm.gov

Address

OPM Human Resources

1900 E St., NW

Washington, DC 20415

US

Next steps

The questionnaire will assess your qualifications for the job, and will be used to identify the best qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. Your ratings in this Assessment Questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents and references you submit. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your ratings. Deliberate attempts to falsify information may be grounds for not selecting you or for dismissing you from the position/agency during the probationary period.

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application.

We expect to make a job offer within 40 days after the closing date of the announcement. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

An agency may not request, orally, in writing, or electronically through the USA Jobs website or other electronic means, that an applicant for appointment for a position in the civil service disclose criminal history record information before the appointing agency extends a conditional offer of employment. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit https://www.opm.gov/about-us/careers-at-opm/opportunities/

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