DEPUTY DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

Summary Join the team! This position is located in the Headquarters Office of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Communications. The Office serves as the Commission's spokesperson to the national and local media, develops and disseminates news releases and blogs, and organizes press events. This Office also has the responsibility for developing and maintaining relations with consumer organizations and federal, state and local health, safety and consumer agencies. Duties The Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist serves as the Deputy Director, Office of Communications and principal advisor to the Director, Office of Communications regarding the full range of the Commission’s public affairs program. Build integrated public affairs and communications campaigns across earned, owned and paid channels to promote product safety and elevate the profile of the agency. develop clear messaging for agency priorities to drive a proactive narrative and strategically engage with reporters. The Deputy Director: Coordinates with the Director on press inquiries that have a national or policy-level impact and develops proactive press plans for recall announcements. safety campaigns, and other agency priorities. Coordinates with the Director to arrange and assist the Chairman with press events and broadcast, radio and print interview requests.        Participates in the overall formulation of Commission product safety policy and contributes to the design of Commission responses to product safety hazards, particularly through outreach efforts identified as an effective or appropriate approach. Establishes and maintains working relationships with state and local governments and fosters cooperative relationships with approved organizations and associations to exchange program information. Assists the Director in the formulation and dissemination of blogs, press releases, and other communications products related to Commission actions and activities.  Identifies immediate and long-term requirements for publications, exhibits, videos, and other informational material. Actively participates in long-range planning and budgeting of Office operations, including performance budget reports, operating plans, and annual reports. Oversees the planning and implementation of public information programs at the regional, state, and local levels and monitors their overall execution. Assists the Director by assigning, monitoring, and reviewing the work of subordinates based on selective consideration of the assignment complexity and difficulty and employee capability. Assists in the establishment of performance standards and evaluations of subordinates’ performance. Recommends disciplinary action and training for subordinates, and selection of new employees for the office. Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of employment U.S. Citizenship Required. A background investigation is required. Must be a U.S. Citizen. This is a Public Trust Position. Employment in this position requires a background investigation. If you are selected and cannot meet the criteria requirement for the pre-employment waiver and/or a favorable suitability determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed or undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Selectees will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to appointment and the appropriate background investigation forms to determine suitability for Federal employment.  False statements or responses on these forms can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service. The selectee will be required to complete a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the I-9 Form. We will compare information provided to confirm employee’s identity and eligibility to work. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. You are applying under Delegated Examining and if selected under this authority, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period, even if you are a transfer from another federal agency.  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 CPSC; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the CPSC 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. You will be required to serve a 1-year supervisory probationary period. Qualifications All applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:  GS-14: 1) Planning, designing, leading and executing national and grassroots media relations and/or public education programs; 2) experience managing a multi-dimensional, high-productive public relations or public information office; 3) developing, writing and editing various types of complex materials, including reports, speeches, and briefing papers for senior executives; and 4) experience with contracting and budgeting. Evidence of the above specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held.  Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience or based on job titles alone.  If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). 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 must meet the qualifications for this position by the closing date of this announcement. Education This position does not have a mandatory education requirement. There is no substitution for specialized experience at this grade level.  Additional information CPSC provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this vacancy announcement. Payment of relocation expenses is NOT authorized. All the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application, by checking references and through other means, such as the interview process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for not hiring you or for firing you after you begin work. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement. A selectee receiving a first appointment to the Federal Government (Civil Service) is entitled only to the lowest step of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this vacancy shall not be construed as granting an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. As a condition of employment, the selectee must reside in the local commuting area of the duty station listed in this announcement. Proof of residence may be required. Must meet the criteria requirement for the pre-employment waiver and/or a favorable suitability determination within a reasonable period of time, otherwise the employment offer may be withdrawn. 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. CPSC offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes: paid vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays per year, life and health insurance, Long Term Care insurance, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending account program, and retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan).  CPSC also offers a broad array of work-life flexibilities and services to employees such as, flexible work schedules, transit subsidies, fitness center, and employee assistance and wellness programs. 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.