Public Affairs Specialist

Position:Public Affairs Specialist, GS 11/12

Division: Philadelphia Field Office

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Working Hours: 8:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (may vary)

Salary:

GS 11 $79,839.00-$103,787.00

GS 12 $95,694.00-$124,398.00

Full Performance level: GS 12

Number of Positions Available: 1

Duration: Full Time/Permanent

Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the same division when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.

Key Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance
• Some travel may be required

Physical Demands

• Work is primarily sedentary, although some physical effort may be required
• May be required to stand for long hours
• May be required to lift gear up to 20 pounds
• May be subject to weekend or overnight deployment, as required

Work Environment

• May be required to work in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings

Mission Statement:

The mission of the FBI is to protect the American People and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Major Duties:

GS 11

• Remains updated on national issues, current events, and late breaking news affecting the Bureau.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with the media and other specialized groups including those with indifferent or opposing goals.
• Evaluates and analyzes requests from the media to interview FBI officials, particularly those at the highest levels regarding topics that are of a sensitive and or controversial nature.
• Proactively reviews, conducts research, and gathers information from various sources on potential issues.
• Writes and disseminates to local and national print and broadcast media representatives, national news releases and statements on issues of national significance that reflect the official position of the Director.
• Releases factual statements involving a complex array of sensitive issues.

GS 12

• Establishes and maintains relationships with the media and other specialized groups including those with indifferent or opposing goals.
• Proactively reviews, conducts research, and gathers information from various sources on potential issues.
• Writes and disseminates to local and national print and broadcast media representatives, national news releases and statements on issues of national significance that reflect the official position of the Director.
• Releases factual statements involving a complex array of sensitive issues.
• Responds to requests for information from the media or designates and appropriates spokesperson or information source.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Please make sure your specialized experience/requirement(s) can be identified in your resume. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Your application will be evaluated and rated under the FBI’s Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement and will be compared to your responses to the online assessment questionnaire. High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume, and/or supporting documents may eliminate you from Most Competitive status.

Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Most Competitive, Competitive, or Least Competitive. Names of candidates in the Most Competitive category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Veterans’ preference will be applied.

All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies:

• Communications and Media
• Initiative
• Problem Solving/Judgment

Specialized Experience (SE):

GS 11: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS 9 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Drafted press releases, social media posts, and/or presentations for internal or external dissemination.
• Studied crisis communication, participated in crisis communication exercises or supported messaging during a crisis.
• Coordinated public awareness campaigns in order to gather information.
• Liaised with members of the media and trusted organizations in order to maintain effective working relationships and share information.

GS 12: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS 11 grade level. SE is defined as follows:

• Drafted press releases, social media posts, and/or presentations for internal or external dissemination
• Collaborated on designing/implementing proactive public outreach regarding initiatives and programs
• Applied crisis communication messaging strategies during a crisis communication exercise or event.
• Coordinated public awareness campaigns in order to gather information regarding investigative matters
• Liaised with members of the media and trusted organizations to maintain effective working relationships and share information

Education

All degrees must be from an accredited college or university. Education may be substituted for specialized experience as follows:

GS 11: Applicant must have a Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related.

GS 12: Education may not be substituted for specialized experience.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements provided you can show foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.

How to Apply

For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on