Summary
The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a key advisor on strategic communications initiatives and manage assigned communications portfolios. You will support the development and execution of multimedia, digital, and public-facing communication products that advance organizational priorities.
Duties
This Public Affairs Specialist position is located in Strategic Communications and Public Affairs (SCPA), Public Affairs Division, Media Relations Branch, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to: Plans and executes internal and external communications activities for assigned SCPA programs and functional areas. Develops communications, outreach, and promotional materials that explain complex, high-visibility, and potentially controversial issues to a range of audiences. Conducts research on program responsibilities, activities, policies, and emerging issues to support national communications campaigns. Advises leadership and program officials on potential media and public reactions to proposed policies, programs, and initiatives. Establishes and maintains productive relationships with local, national, and international media representatives and responds to communications issues affecting SCPA. Develops and implements short- and long-term communications strategies to promote public understanding of SCPA programs and activities among the media, industry stakeholders, other Federal agencies, Congress, the general public, and internal audiences. Prepares key messages, communication plans, outreach products, and implementation approaches using a variety of communications channels. Identifies and assesses potentially controversial issues with national or international impact and recommends appropriate communications responses. Leads or participates in special projects involving policy-sensitive or confidential matters, ensuring communications activities are consistent with SCPA policy and organizational objectives. Manages strategic communication portfolios; to include regular information gathering, tracking of SCPA support requests, and evaluation of effectiveness. Provides strategic communications and public affairs subject matter expertise concerning agency programs, developments, and policies. Provides advice and counsel to senior leadership on strategic communications, audience outreach, and engagement opportunities as they relate to the TSA mission and goals. Conducts extensive research, develops plans, and contributes to the implementation of a variety of Public Affairs projects and programs; utilizes metrics to track the progress of projects and developing reports of findings to management and other TSA entities. Consults and advises executive level program managers regarding their communication needs and advises headquarters senior program managers and field leadership on how to build stronger communication products and systems for delivering products.
Requirements
You must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National. You must have reached the minimum age (18) at the time of application. You must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI). Selective Service registration is required. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance Travel Required at least 50% If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for TSA to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change.
Education
For positions requiring positive education requirements, or if you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses from an accredited college or university, which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume. The information must be provided with the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, the applicant must supply a transcript or certification of degree.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Grouping procedures. Under Category Grouping, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories: Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies as determined by the job analysis. If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork The USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. You may preview the questions for this vacancy here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13089463