Public Affairs Specialist

Summary

Summary

This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), San Antonio Division.

The primary purpose of this position is to direct internal and external communications for the San Antonio Field Division. Working closely with local division leadership, each incumbent will serve as the primary media spokesperson for DEA programs and activities within the Division.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

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As a your typical work assignments may include:

• Planning, developing and implementing media programs for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) leaders and the Division that have coverage in multiple states to garner greater understanding of support for the mission.
• Coordinating local press conferences, statements and press releases with the appropriate partner agencies in the event of a joint law enforcement investigation.
• Advising management at various Division levels on public information matters.
• Planning and directing special outreach events, ceremonies, tours and other activities intended to develop public and media interest within the Division.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Selectee is subject to random drug testing.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit:
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see

Qualifications

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility

Applicants must meet the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of the announcement.

Applicants applying for the GS 12 must meet the following requirements:

Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level (or equivalent), and your resume must demonstrate performing ALL the tasks below as part of your regular duties:

1) Drafting press releases, media statements, talking points, responses to reporter inquiries, or attributable quotes for publication or broadcast; 2) Advising management on public information matters, media inquiries, interview preparation, or engagement with news organizations; and 3) Developing and maintaining professional working relationships with reporters, editors, producers, assignment desks, or other news media representatives.

In addition, your resume must demonstrate performing at least one of the following:

1) Serving as a media relations representative, spokesperson, or supporting spokesperson duties involving engagement with local, regional, or national news media; or 2) Demonstrated experience with one or more of the following: Responding to reporter inquiries, providing attributable statements or quotes for publication or broadcast; participating in recorded or on-camera interviews; or supporting press conferences, briefings, or other direct engagements with news organizations; or 3) Supporting media relations or public information programs designed to increase public awareness and understanding of an organization's mission, programs, operations, or accomplishments.

Specialized 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.

Applicants applying for the GS-13 must meet the following requirements:

Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level (or equivalent), and your resume must demonstrate performing ALL the tasks below as part of your regular duties:

1) Writing press releases, media statements, responses to inquiries, talking points, or briefing materials on critical incidents, emerging issues, or organizational priorities; 2) Advising management before, during, or after interviews, press conferences, media availabilities, or other high-stakes public engagements; and 3) Developing professional relationships with reporters, editors, producers, assignment desks, or other news media representatives.

In addition, your resume must demonstrate performing at least one of the following:

1) Serving as a media relations representative, spokesperson, or supporting spokesperson duties, to include engaging with local, regional, or national news media; or 2) Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following: providing recorded, on-camera television or digital interviews; participating in radio interviews, press conferences, or press briefings; or responding in real time to reporter questions concerning complex, sensitive, high-profile, or rapidly developing matters; or 3) Developing or executing media relations and strategic communication plans for sensitive, high-profile, or rapidly developing matters.

Specialized 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.

Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire CompetencyBased Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (

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

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to similar positions in any Division/Office listed in this announcement. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

Relocation Incentives maybe considered and approved under conditions specified provided the agency has determined that the position is likely to be difficult to fill in the absence of an incentive and funding for such an incentive is available.

If eligible, telework and/or remote work agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.



Help

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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

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.

Job Description

Summary

This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), San Antonio Division.

The primary purpose of this position is to direct internal and external communications for the San Antonio Field Division. Working closely with local division leadership, each incumbent will serve as the primary media spokesperson for DEA programs and activities within the Division.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

As a your typical work assignments may include:

• Planning, developing and implementing media programs for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) leaders and the Division that have coverage in multiple states to garner greater understanding of support for the mission.
• Coordinating local press conferences, statements and press releases with the appropriate partner agencies in the event of a joint law enforcement investigation.
• Advising management at various Division levels on public information matters.
• Planning and directing special outreach events, ceremonies, tours and other activities intended to develop public and media interest within the Division.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation. Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Selectee is subject to random drug testing.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit:
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see

Qualifications

For more information on eligibility requirements see: DEA Employment Eligibility

Applicants must meet the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of the announcement.

Applicants applying for the GS 12 must meet the following requirements:

Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level (or equivalent), and your resume must demonstrate performing ALL the tasks below as part of your regular duties:

1) Drafting press releases, media statements, talking points, responses to reporter inquiries, or attributable quotes for publication or broadcast; 2) Advising management on public information matters, media inquiries, interview preparation, or engagement with news organizations; and 3) Developing and maintaining professional working relationships with reporters, editors, producers, assignment desks, or other news media representatives.

In addition, your resume must demonstrate performing at least one of the following:

1) Serving as a media relations representative, spokesperson, or supporting spokesperson duties involving engagement with local, regional, or national news media; or 2) Demonstrated experience with one or more of the following: Responding to reporter inquiries, providing attributable statements or quotes for publication or broadcast; participating in recorded or on-camera interviews; or supporting press conferences, briefings, or other direct engagements with news organizations; or 3) Supporting media relations or public information programs designed to increase public awareness and understanding of an organization's mission, programs, operations, or accomplishments.

Specialized 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.

Applicants applying for the GS-13 must meet the following requirements:

Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level (or equivalent), and your resume must demonstrate performing ALL the tasks below as part of your regular duties:

1) Writing press releases, media statements, responses to inquiries, talking points, or briefing materials on critical incidents, emerging issues, or organizational priorities; 2) Advising management before, during, or after interviews, press conferences, media availabilities, or other high-stakes public engagements; and 3) Developing professional relationships with reporters, editors, producers, assignment desks, or other news media representatives.

In addition, your resume must demonstrate performing at least one of the following:

1) Serving as a media relations representative, spokesperson, or supporting spokesperson duties, to include engaging with local, regional, or national news media; or 2) Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following: providing recorded, on-camera television or digital interviews; participating in radio interviews, press conferences, or press briefings; or responding in real time to reporter questions concerning complex, sensitive, high-profile, or rapidly developing matters; or 3) Developing or executing media relations and strategic communication plans for sensitive, high-profile, or rapidly developing matters.

Specialized 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.

Additional information on the position qualification requirements are located in the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement.

Additional information

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire CompetencyBased Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (

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

Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to similar positions in any Division/Office listed in this announcement. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.

Relocation Incentives maybe considered and approved under conditions specified provided the agency has determined that the position is likely to be difficult to fill in the absence of an incentive and funding for such an incentive is available.

If eligible, telework and/or remote work agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.



Help

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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

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.