Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist (SME) (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Summary Are you a reliable, adaptable, resourceful individual who thrives under tight timeframes and high-pressure situations in a deadline-driven, fast-paced environment? Can you supervise and mentor a staff of highly adaptable, energetic professional public affairs specialists who eagerly accept challenging assignments and projects? As the leader of NHTSA’s public affairs team, you will plan, participate in, and execute NHTSA’s high-profile public relations engagement. Learn more about this agency Duties As a Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist, you will:           Serve as a principal advisor to and as NHTSA’s primary point-of-contact representing the Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Executive Director, and other senior agency officials in day-to-day interactions with media representatives and relevant industry communications contacts. Supervise, direct, and mentor the staff of professional public affairs specialists. Develop and execute comprehensive media relations strategies based on sound, policy-driven guidance that represents agency, departmental, and administration priorities and programs. Respond to media inquiries handling high visibility, sensitive communication issues.           The ideal candidate for this senior management position is driven, reliable, motivated, with the talent to respond rapidly to breaking news and traffic safety situations effectively with limited preparation time. Coordinating press releases and media advisories with Office of the Transportation Secretary’s Media team and, where needed, works closely with OST’s senior officials on news conferences, campaigns, and special events to promote agency and departmental safety initiatives.  The individual has proven skill and experience in developing and executing comprehensive media relations strategies that promote an organization’s mission, priorities, and programs.  The individual is the consummate team member who manage and work cooperatively and effectively with a highly adaptable, energetic public affairs team who eagerly accepts challenging assignments and projects.  The individual is resourceful and excels under tight deadlines and pressure situations that require providing timely and accurate information and reflect professionalism. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration. You must meet specialized experience to qualify. Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will 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 the 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants may be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel.  A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. SUPERVISORY PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed). PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). Qualifications To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience requirements. To qualify for the Grade 15, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include: Experience in developing and executing practical, operational, comprehensive media relations strategies. Experience serving as the principal advisor and primary liaison to senior leadership, managing day-to-day communications with the media and trade press representatives. Experience managing media inquiries under tight deadlines, handling high-profile and sensitive communications, and producing policy-based materials aligned with administration priorities. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Planning and Organizing - Capability to plan, organize, and implement comprehensive public affairs strategies, and programs. Leadership and Supervision - Lead staff members toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Demonstrate flexibility and resilience, foster continuous improvement and innovation, develop others, foster integrity and honesty, manage performance (communicates performance standards and   expectations, give time and constructive feedback, think systematically, and inspire change). Communication Skills - Ability to communicate effectively with public, media, and trade press using plain language in a succinct and organized manner, produces written information, which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audiences.      For all types of consideration, 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.For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link:  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, [email protected]. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate. Expand Hide  additional information 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. 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. 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.