Summary This vacancy announcement is open to Department of Interior, Office of the Secretary (OS) employees only. This is not a remote position and selectee will be required to report to a federal facility. The Department of the Interior is devoted to protecting and preserving the natural resources of this great nation, including National Parks, Landmarks, and the well-being of communities, including those of Native American, Alaska Natives and affiliated Islanders. Responsibilities This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Office of Communication, Washington D.C. The official duty station will align with the selectee's current duty station. At the full performance level GS-15 the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: Develops, coordinates, and manages public information plans and activities, which meet the highest professional standards, to achieve public understanding and acceptance of the major and diverse functional programs of the Department. Performs public information work of unusual and exacting difficulty, exercising independent judgment, for the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary, and other Secretarial officials, directs the preparation, coordination, policy review, and distribution of information materials developed for the media. Manages special projects centering on public information and education programs involving organizations concerned with special segments of resource conservation and development. Provides information services of a wide variety to newspapers, reporters, editors, press associations, magazines, television networks and stations, radio networks and stations, educators and representatives of other Federal agencies concerning the entire range of activities of the Department. Collaborate with officials in the planning, preparing, and executing news conferences held by the Secretary and other Secretarial officers by identifying areas of media interest, by preparing material reflecting Departmental activities and policies on a variety of subjects for use by the Secretary, and by following up on specific media interest generated by news conferences. May represent the Director and the Department, on behalf of the Secretary in a wide range of capacities, such as attendance at high-level meetings, information liaison with other agencies, or as a spokesperson to the national media. Salary Information Salary will vary based on current duty station and will vary. GS-15 range: $147,945 - 197,200 This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen. You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination. You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit. You must submit ALL required documents and a completed questionnaire. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born 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. See http://www.sss.gov/. Qualifications Minimum Qualification Requirements: Specialized Experience To qualify for the GS-15, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: Advising senior executives or political leadership on communication approaches for sensitive or controversial issues. Managing complex media relations programs, including responding to national press inquiries and coordinating messaging during crises or emergencies. Developing rapid-response communication plans that mitigate reputational risk and ensure compliance with federal policy. Preparing executive-ready briefing materials, talking points, and speeches for senior leadership, including the Secretary or equivalent. Must meet all. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Merit Promotion candidates must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Education Additional Information This is a supervisory position that may require completion of a supervisory probationary period. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: - your performance and conduct; - the needs and interests of the agency; - whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and - whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361. Notice of Financial Disclosure Report Requirement: The position to which you will be appointed is subject to a financial disclosure reporting requirement and you will be required to complete a new entrant Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days of your appointment. Important Note: All Department of the Interior (DOI) employees are subject to the conflict of interest restrictions imposed upon all employees of the Executive Branch of the Federal Government and may be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report. In addition, DOI employees, GS-15 and above, who work in the Office of the Secretary; along with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) employees (at ALL grade levels), are further restricted concerning their interests in Federal lands and resources administered or controlled by the Department of the Interior. This includes holding stock in energy corporations which lease Federal lands (e.g.: oil, gas, coal, alternative energy resources, etc.). If you have any such investments you should contact the DOI, BOEM or BSEE Ethics Office before accepting employment. DOI employees are held to the highest level of integrity. Employees must be objective and impartial in the performance of their work. All potential issues (e.g.: work-related interactions with friends, family members, or previous employers) must be disclosed at the time of application or during the interview process. NOTICE: This employer participates in E-Verify and will utilize your Form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work with the U.S. Department of the Interior. The preliminary background check consists of a search of Office of Personnel Management and Department of Defense background investigation files and an FBI National Criminal History Fingerprint Check; it may take up to 3 weeks to complete. If selected for this position, you will be extended a tentative offer of employment pending a satisfactory background check. Current Federal employees or individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check; these will be handled on a case-by-case basis in coordination with the Bureau security office.
