Public Affairs Specialist

This Public Affairs Specialist position is with Forest Service (Department of Agriculture) in Springerville, AZ. Positions may be filled at one or more of the duty locations included in this announcement. Final determination of the duty location will be made at the time of the job offer. This position serves as a Public Affairs Specialist located on a Forest Service Unit. The incumbents perform a wide variety of activities in planning and implementing a comprehensive public affairs program. For additional information about the duties and POC for these position, please see additional information section. Key duties: • Duties are listed at the GS-12 grade level. • Participates in the development and implementation of public affairs communication plans, program strategies and techniques for dealing with addressing critical and complex public issues. • Uses a variety of communications methods and techniques (i.e., written, oral, visual and personal) in devising the appropriate communication method for each public affairs campaign. • Coordinates, implements, and evaluates a communication program, with responsibility of informing employees about agency philosophies and culture, practices, programs, positions, and initiatives. • Analyzes public reaction and recommends changes to improve understanding. • Organizes, coordinates and implements effective employee and public meetings, workshops, field trips, or other forums designed to foster employee and public participation. • Supervises 20% or less of the time. Qualifications: In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary. Specialized Experience Requirement: GS-11: You must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in federal service. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Responding to requests for information by determining the nature of the data required and collecting and assembling the material using the appropriate format and style based on needs and organization practices; and/or identifying areas to be addressed, characteristics and needs of the target audience, and communication techniques most appropriate to address an audience; and/or assisting in evaluation and analysis of public comments on management issues; OR, 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree that is directly related to position being filled from an accredited college or university; OR, an appropriate combination of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level and graduate level education (beyond what is required for a master's degree, i.e., more than 36 semester hours leading to a Ph.D.) as described above. GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as two or more of the following: Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships at multiple levels within an organization to develop and disseminate coordinated messages that accurately address organizational programs; and/or preparing written materials to promote the organization's position on a variety of sensitive, controversial and/or complex issues; and/or designing and tailoring meetings and public involvement strategies to audiences that involve a degree of controversy. 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. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.