Public Affairs Specialist

Summary This position is in the Bureau of Global Public Affairs, under the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Global Media, Office of International Media Engagement (GPA/GM/IME). The position is for a Public Affairs Specialist who is responsible for a broad range of public affairs activities and programs in support of the State Department’s media engagement efforts , particularly as it relates to Chinese-language media. Learn more about this agency Duties Speaks, writes, and coaches spokespeople in Mandarin Chinese. Provides expert advice to Department spokespersons, including the Chinese-language spokesperson, the Department Spokespersons, and other senior officials including the Secretary's staff regarding rules of engagement with Chinese-language media. Plans, designs, and executes Chinese-language foreign media engagement activities across multiple presentation formats for the State Department. Applies expert communication principles to develop strategies addressing complex public affairs issues. Coordinates with Regional Bureaus and GPA/IME's Regional Media Hubs on messaging Department priorities, including social media, and provides guidance to overseas spokespersons. Develops relations with press and public affairs officers in regional Bureaus to develop strategies and approaches to resolve encountered problems and ensure that U.S. foreign policy positions are reflected in international Chinese-language media. Requirements Conditions of employment U.S. Citizenship is required. Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/ Qualifications Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement.  Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following:  Experience working with Chinese-language media.  Experience developing and implementing effective communication strategies and/or plans for advancing foreign policy objectives.  Experience performing as a Chinese-language coach or specialist who prepares individuals for public engagements. THE FOLLOWING SELECTIVE FACTOR IS REQUIRED: Ability to speak, read and write Mandarin Chinese. The following are examples of work in the required language that may have provided the required abilities: translator; interpreter; librarian or information specialist required to make abstracts, screen, index, and scan material; intelligence; writer or editor; international organizational work, such as the Peace Corps, World Bank, United Nations, business, or other organizations; or professor, teacher, or instructor work at the high school or college level that required use of the foreign language. **ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE TESTED BY THE AGENCY FOR PROFICIENCY ON A PASS/FAIL BASIS PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT.** There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position. Education Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement. Additional information To request a reasonable accommodation for additional time on the timed sections of the assessment, please submit your request using the “Request a Reasonable Accommodation” button within the Assessment Application.  For all other reasonable accommodations at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA) at [email protected].     OAA is responsible for reviewing and adjudicating reasonable accommodation (RA) requests for the Assessment Battery being used for this announcement.  The following applies to all RA requests:  RA requests cover additional time on timed sections only.    Applicants submitting a RA request MUST attach supporting medical documentation signed by a licensed, treating medical provider. The documentation should describe the nature, severity, and expected duration of the condition, identify the relevant medical condition or diagnosis, and explain the basis for the requested extension.  RA requests that do not contain supporting medical documentation attachments at the time of initial request may be subject to further review.   Note: the following documents do not, on their own, qualify for automatic approval of the RA request: Schedule A letters, VA benefits letters, or SSA letters.  Applicants MUST submit their application before the vacancy closes, even if pending an accommodation decision.   Applicants are encouraged to carefully follow instructions related to medical documentation provided in the vacancy announcement prior to beginning the RA process.  Applicants will have 48 hours after their RA request is adjudicated to complete the assessment battery.  Scores generated after the allotted timeframe will not be admissible and the applicant will not be considered further for the vacancy.    If a different type of RA is needed, please contact OAA directly at [email protected].        If eligible, situational telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.   Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.  Veterans: Veterans’ preference points are added to the passing score of candidates eligible for either 10-point or 5-point preference. Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% or more are listed at the top of a certificate regardless of score. Other 10-point and 5-point preference eligible veterans who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed in score order. View information on veterans' preference on OPM’s Fed Hire Vets website.  Agency & Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP & ICTAP):  View OPM’s  CTAP & ICTAP eligibility website for more information. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category and submit supporting documents under the required documents section of this announcement to receive selection priority consideration. To be considered Well-Qualified applicants must: score an 85 or above, meet Minimum Qualifications, and demonstrate proficiency in some, but not all major aspects of the position. 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.