Public Affairs Specialist

Public Affairs Specialist

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Grand Canyon National Park

Overview

Open & closing dates

 03/18/2019 to 04/01/2019

This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more

Service

Competitive

Pay scale & grade

GS 12

Salary

$73,375 to $95,388 per year

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-Time

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Grand Canyon, AZ

Relocation expenses reimbursed

Yes You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.

Telework eligible

No

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This job is open to

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current or former competitive service federal employees.

Individuals with disabilities

Land & base management

Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.

Military spouses

Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista

Veterans

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Announcement number

IM-1541-GRCA-19-10452892-ST

Control number

527760200

Duties

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Duties

Summary

This position is located in Grand Canyon National Park, in the Office of the Superintendent.

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Responsibilities

This position serves as park's chief spokesperson, primary contact for news outlets and congressional delegations, and consultant to senior management for the effective communication on high profile and highly visibly issues. As the public affairs specialist for Grand Canyon National Park, major duties include media and communications campaigns to convey information about the National Park Service and Park specific programs, policies and activities to both external and internal audiences. Additionally, the incumbent supports park leadership through community outreach and engagement, legislative and intergovernmental relations, and maintaining strong internal communications within the Park.

Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

12

Job family (Series)

1035 Public Affairs

Requirements

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

U.S. Citizenship required.

Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.

Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males

Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.

Any individual who is currently holding, or has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet time-in-grade requirements (must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent in the Federal service). Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

You may be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties. Prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year thereafter (or more frequently if management determines such need exists), you will be required to sign an affidavit certifying to your possession of a valid State issued driver's license that is current and has not been revoked, suspended, canceled, or otherwise disqualified in any way to prohibit your operation of a motor vehicle. You will also submit a photocopy of your valid State issued driver's license prior to your first official motor vehicle operation, and again every year, or more frequently if management determines such need exists. Lastly, you may be required to submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that discloses all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. Please indicate in your application whether you possess a valid State driver's license.

You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.

You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.

If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.

You may be required to travel overnight away from home up to 3 nights per month. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.

You may be required to complete training and obtain/maintain a government charge card with travel and/or purchase authority.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level, you must possess all of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement:

EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience includes activities such as: writing a variety of articles, news releases and speeches to specialized audiences about complex programs, activities and functions; planning, coordinating and advising on information dissemination campaigns relating to agency/organization programs; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with representatives of the media and public interest organizations; and evaluating the impact and effectiveness of communications plans and advising management on improvements.

. You must include hours per week worked.

-Volunteer Experience: 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.

You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies".

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level(s) of this announcement.

Additional information

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Physical Demands: This work is usually performed at a desk; however, there are frequent visits to outdoor sites for events or media interviews, which may expose the employee to inclement weather or require movement over rough or uneven terrain. Long or unpredictable hours and stressful situations are common.

Working Conditions: The work environment involves everyday risks typical of office settings and vehicles such as planes, trains, buses, or automobiles and requires normal safety precautions. The regular work area is adequately lighted, heated/cooled, and ventilated. However, the incumbent will be required to work outside in all weather conditions to address emerging issues, breaking news, and to support special events. In addition, the incumbent may be called to work unscheduled hours at all times of the day or night and may be expected to support events that occur on holidays and weekends.

Area Information: This position is stationed at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park located in Northwest Arizona, approximately 60 miles north of Williams and 85 miles Northwest of Flagstaff at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Temperatures range from approximately 85 degrees in the summer to 17 degrees in the winter. Grand Canyon Village has a K-12 school, a daycare center, post office, general store, banking facilities, churches, a recreation center, a clinic with resident physicians and several restaurants. The park community consists of some 2,500 people, including employees of the NPS and concessionaires and their family members. There are often employment opportunities for family members in the park and surrounding areas. The park community is small enough that many employees choose to walk or bike from their homes to work. Complete shopping, educational, medical and professional services are available in Williams and Flagstaff. Recreational opportunities include hiking, river rafting, fishing, cross­country and downhill skiing, and golfing in nearby communities.

Housing Information: South Rim Housing: Permanent and Term employees with a Full Performance Level (FPL) of a GS-09 and above will be provided the option of accepting assigned housing, participating in the normal bid system, or accepting shared housing. Any employee assigned to shared housing may continue to bid into non-shared housing. Because of limited housing, when an employee is assigned shared housing, the park is not able to provide accommodations for family member and pets. . For additional housing information contact the park Housing Office at 928- 638-7796.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application. Click the following link for more information, https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Alternate_Application_Information.

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How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Candidates who apply under Competitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are highly qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Best qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

Candidates who apply under Noncompetitive Merit Promotion procedures will undergo a quality review to determine if they are minimally qualified based on the content of their resume and their responses to the questionnaire. Qualified candidates will be referred if all required supporting documentation has been provided.

You will be evaluated on the following competencies:

Communications and Media

Customer Service

Interpersonal Skills

Oral Communication

Organizational Awareness

Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) a list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process.

If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

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Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance

Not Required

Drug test required

No

Required Documents

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Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 04/01/2019.

Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.

A complete Occupational Questionnaire

Merit Promotion Eligibility Documentation such as:

Federal employees must submit a copy of their latest SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" that reflects career or career-conditional tenure, such as the initial hire, promotion, or reassignment, showing position title, series, grade and tenure (please do not submit an Award SF-50 unless it provides the necessary information) and, if different, an SF-50 showing highest permanent grade ever held.

Veterans Preference Documentation (e.g. DD-214, SF-15, VA Letter as appropriate)

Documentation for the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) eligibility, which includes ALL Appointment AND Termination SF-50s for EACH appointment as well as ALL performance evaluations, for each qualifying period of temporary employment claimed.

Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:

Veterans Preference Documentation:

If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.

If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.

If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.

Performance Appraisals and Awards:

All applicants must submit their most recent performance appraisal showing the official rating of record and signed by a supervisor or, if one is unavailable, a statement as to why it is not available (including if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level).

Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Documentation that you meet Selective Factors.

College transcripts, if qualifying based on education.

Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.

Benefits

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Benefits

A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How to Apply

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How to Apply

To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 04/01/2019. WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.

Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.

Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."

Click here for USAJobs Help with "How to create an application"

To PREVIEW the application questionnaire, select the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10452892

Select or add the resume you want to use for this application. Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS.

Select documents you want included in this application.

Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.

Select if you want to include your demographic information.

After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."

Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.

Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.

Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.

Review and Submit Application.

While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.

You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.

To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.

Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.

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Agency contact information

 Kelly Barrie

Phone

(307) 250-4968

Email

kelly_barrie@nps.gov

Address

Grand Canyon National Park

PO Box 129

1 Village Loop

Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

US