Public Affairs Specialist

Summary

View Common Definitions of terms found in this announcement.

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Public Affairs, in Washington, District of Columbia.

This is a non-bargaining unit position.

As a Public Affairs Specialist, at the full performance level GS-14, you will perform the following duties:

• Respond to requests from the media, the public, specialized groups, community, and government entities on the agency's mission.
• Identify communication needs and develop informational materials that inform media and the public of the agency's policies, programs, services, and activities.
• Execute and evaluate the effectiveness of information and communication programs in furthering agency goals.
• Advise on potential media and public reaction to proposed policies and programs established.

Conditions of employment:

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must successfully pass a drug screen.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• Requirements by Closing Date:
  Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• Probationary Period:
  This is a full‑time permanent position (Career/Career‑Conditional appointment). Upon appointment to this position, you may be required to serve a one‑year probationary period.

Limit your resume to 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

Experience:

One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS‑12 grade level or equivalent performing duties such as:

• Responding to media inquiries on topics of national interest; AND
• Coordinating statements, crisis communications, or rapid response for media engagement on law enforcement or national security‑related topics; AND
• Managing relationships with reporters and other media stakeholders on topics related to law enforcement or national security; AND
• Preparing communication materials on stories or topics with national interest for public release.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience):
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) 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.

Current or Former Political Appointees:
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non‑career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service‑connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined…