Public Affairs Specialist at Boston

JOB SUMMARY:

Do you desire to protect American interests and secure our Nation while building a meaningful and rewarding career? If so, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling. DHS components work collectively to prevent terrorism, secure borders, enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard cyberspace and ensure resilience to disasters. The vitality and magnitude of this mission is achieved by a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS.

This is a key position within the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE utilizes the governments second largest cadre of law enforcement officers to ensure our nations economic, transportation and infrastructure security. ICE enforces immigration and customs laws. Our talented and courageous workforce identifies criminal activities and eliminates vulnerabilities that pose a threat to our nations borders.

ICE is the primary investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). With more than 19,000 employees in 400 offices around the world, ICE is a key component of the DHS layered defense approach to protecting our nation. For additional information about ICE and career opportunities go to http://www.ice.gov/

Who May Apply

• All U.S. citizens
• For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here

Organizational Location: This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of the Director, Office of Public Affairs, Duty Location: Boston, MA and Philidelphia, PA.

Note:  Salary indicated does not include locality payment of 24.80% for Boston and 21.79% for Philadelphia.

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Note: One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy announcement.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• U.S. Citizenship
• Ability to pass background investigation and drug screen for fed employment
• Relevant Experience (see Qualifications and Evaluations Tab)
• Complete Application Package (see How to Apply Tab)
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service

DUTIES:Back to top

You will design, plan, direct, and/or advise on public affairs programs, monitor public attitudes toward the agency and work to enhance the agency image. You will develop and disseminate informational materials to the public or specialized target groups within a domestic or foreign setting, and respond to requests for information concerning agency programs and policies from all media including the press, television and radio, locally, nationally, and internationally. Specifically, you will:

• Serve as an advisor to U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) leadership regarding media matters, and participate in policy-making meetings and conferences;
• Maintain liaison with representatives of newspapers, major magazines, radio, and television stations, including national networks, as well as federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and government officials, leaders, and members of a variety of professional, business, civic and other public interest organizations, and coordinate the release of information with sensitivity to law enforcement, security, Freedom of Information and Privacy Act requirements;
• Provide guidance, assistance, and consultation to agency field offices concerning procedures related to responding to specific requests from media, general public, specialized groups, community and governmental entities who use agency services;
• Develop materials and prepare news releases, talking points, and create questions and answers for designated personnel whom you prepare for public presentations, media interviews, news conferences and other special events.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Back to top

GS-12: You qualify at the GS-12 level if you meet the basic requirements and possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Examples include:

• Developing written material such as press releases, feature stories, talking points, media plans, media advisories and RTQ (response to inqueries) for internal and external use;
• Providing information to media concerning recent events and news items, as well as background information, explaining the organizations policies and procedures or laws and regulations; and
• Providing guidance, assistance and consultation to employees and management concerning the organizations procedures relating to responding to specific requests from the media, general public, specialized groups and community and governmental entities.

GS-13: You qualify at the GS-13 level if you possess one year of specialized experience that equipped you with the skills needed to perform the job duties. This experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level. Examples include:

• Preparing written materials for the media and the organization ensuring that they accurately reflect the policies and interests of the organization;
• Preparing responses to the media on highly sensitive and controversial issues that have significant public and congressional interest;
• Independently analyzing and recognizing newsworthy incidents and or activities related to sensitive and highly visible issues;

• Advising senior leadership on public affairs matters in order to correct misperceptions and enhance the media and publics understanding of the policies, goals and initiatives of the organization. 

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.  Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

Requirements:

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.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.  If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education and training  will be rated using an Assessment Questionnaire.  The questions are related to the following fundamental competencies (or Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) needed to perform the duties of this job: Technical Competence, Oral/Written Communication, Customer Service, Decision Making, Planning and Evaluating, Problem Solving, Reasoning, and Self-Management. Based on your responses, you will receive a score from the Assessment Questionnaire between 70 and 100. 

Based on your responses, you will be placed in one of the following categories:

Best Qualified: Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a superior level of all evaluation criteria.

Well Qualified:  Applicants possessing a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of the evaluation criteria.

Qualified:  Applicants possessing the basic qualifications, with general knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Applicants in the best qualified category will be referred to the hiring manager and may be called for an interview.

ICTAP/CTAP Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP/CTAP eligible.  Information about ICTAP or CTAP eligibility is on the OPMs Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp. To be considered well qualified under ICTAP/CTAP you must be placed in the well qualified category for this position as described above. 

Veterans: Veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they are qualified.  Veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are placed in the best qualified category above non-preference eligibles, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. This position is not considered scientific/professional.  For more information regarding veterans preference, please see: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

 

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Country: USA, State: Massachusetts, City: Boston, Company: Immigration and Customs Enforcement.