Telework eligibleFederal

SUPERVISORY PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Agriculture, Rural Development · Department of Agriculture

Public Affairs

Salary
$147,945–$197,200/year
Grade
15
Work location
Telework eligible · Athens, Georgia; Saint Louis, Missouri; Bozeman, Montana +3 more
Schedule
Full-time
Posted
Oct 1, 2026
Apply by
Oct 8, 2026
Category
Public Affairs

Apply on USAJOBS →

Source: USAJOBS. Applications happen on the original posting, not on this site.

Summary

This position is in the Public Affairs Division, Office of External Affairs (OEA), Rural Development (RD), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Duties

Provides direction for overall communications development and implementation; production and updating of all Rural Development publications, brochures, fact sheets and annual special reports.

Serves as advisor to state and local office staff to strategize on and develop marketing campaigns and communications materials (media advisories, public service announcement, story ideas) for Rural Development programs.

Evaluates pending and proposed legislation with regard to communication and information needs, evaluates public information needs relative to Rural Development's varying programs.

Proposes new and innovative approaches to disseminate information about Rural Development programs throughout the nation.

Participates fully in the formulation, development, and execution of communication strategies, providing expert advisory and coordinating assistance to State Directors, state and local officials, and RD management officials.

Requirements

You must be a US Citizen or US National. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt. Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check. Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/. Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period depending on your appointment type, unless previous federal service is creditable. During this time your employment will be evaluated, and we may consider: your performance and conduct, the needs and interests of the agency, whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government, and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.

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. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Accountability Customer Service Decisiveness Flexibility Interpersonal Skills Problem Solving Resilience The USA Hire Assessments includes 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. To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13065440

About this listing

Agriculture, Rural Development has 5 open listings on the site: 2 fully remote and 3 telework eligible. This one is telework eligible, based in Athens, Georgia and 5 other locations. See all Agriculture, Rural Development listings, or read what fully remote and telework eligible mean.

Advertised pay is $147,945 to $197,200 a year. That covers GS-15 on the General Schedule, where pay also depends on step and locality; how GS pay works.

This announcement is open for 7 days, from Oct 1, 2026 to Oct 8, 2026. Among currently open Public Affairs postings, the typical advertised window is about 11 days. As of Oct 6, 2026, it closes in 2 days.

Who can apply: federal employees eligible for career transition programs and employees of the hiring agency. This announcement is not open to the general public. The announcement's "This job is open to" section has the exact eligibility rules.

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Context computed from the GovRemoteJobs inventory as of Oct 6, 2026, refreshed daily.

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