Public Affairs Specialist

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Public and Governmental Affairs (PGA), Public Affairs Division. The incumbent will serve as a Public Affairs Specialist and provide expert assistance on all public affairs matters relating to social media, and will assist with planning, organizing, and developing communication strategies and media plans for mass media and social media in support of the Bureau.

• Assisting with developing, organizing and implementing communication strategies and plans for mass media.
• Communicating appropriately and effectively with news media, national organizations, technical experts, individuals and groups to provide information, coordinate work efforts and resolve problems.
• Developing standard communications for a wide range of audiences, publics and stakeholders with diverse levels of understanding of organization programs and activities.
• Establishing and maintaining contacts with internal and external key officials integral to organization activities.
• Assisting with evaluating the public affairs program and recommending improvements for enhancement of information techniques and effectiveness.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

• Must be U.S. Citizen or National.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on or after December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
• You must meet all applicable time-in-grade requirements by the closing of this announcement.

To qualify for this position at the GS-13 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-12 by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized experience is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume.

• Providing timely, accurate, informative and focused communications on organization initiatives and programs; AND
• Developing written materials such as press releases, background papers, etc., that include the appropriate quantity, degree and tone of information to be disseminated; AND
• Maintaining effective working relationships with media representatives, public interest and community groups, and industry representatives to gain understanding and support of programs; AND
• Identifying potential media problems or areas of friction and recommending solutions.

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted.

The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non‑merit factor.

ATF provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the job application and hiring process, and you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, please notify the human resources specialist listed on the vacancy announcement, or contact the ATF's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at  or send an email to reasonable accommodations. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation is handled on a case‑by‑case basis.

If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at:(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..