Public Affairs Specialist

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Executive Affairs Division (EAD), with 2 vacancies in Lakeland, FL; Newport, OR; Newport, RI; or Charleston, SC. This position is also announced under vacancy number OMAO-26-13049903-DE, which is open to all US Citizens or Nationals. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.

As a Public Affairs Specialist, you will perform the following duties: Serve as a senior Public Affairs Specialist providing media relations support and leading communications for the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO). Interact with local, national and international electronic and print media to establish relationships and coordinate interviews between personnel and journalists. Coordinate with the OMAO Communications Director, Social Media Manager, and senior OMAO managers to support OMAO's strategic priorities. Conduct public affairs functions to disseminate translated scientific and technical information, utilizing various media platforms. Communicate the OMAO's mission to include ships, aircraft, diving operations and unscrewed systems to the media, public and industry partners. Assist with the coordination of ships, aircraft, diving operations and facility tours for media, the public, and government officials. Enhance public knowledge of agency programs, activities and missions with education and outreach efforts, utilizing photographic content and social media. Create content for OMAO's website and social media channels including web stories, scripts, news releases and speeches. Monitor web and social media analytics to evaluate effectiveness and to adjust strategies as necessary. Serve as the policy and planning authority for the Executive Affairs Division (EAD) as an advisor to upper management. Develop, recommend, and implement strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of communications efforts. NOTE: These duties are described at the full performance level of the ZA-4; the ZA-3 is developmental leading to such performance. POSITION REQUIREMENTS: This position will require escorting of media and other visitors aboard NOAA ships, which are not handicap accessible. Must be able to climb several flights of steep and narrow stairs and step through doorways with thresholds up to 24 inches high. Some travel is required. This position may require after-hours (evenings, weekends) work. This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band. The ZA-3 is equivalent to the GS-11/12. The ZA-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14. The Full Performance level is the ZA-4.

Key Requirements: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Additional Information. Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov) Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. If you are a Federal employee applying for a promotion (under merit promotion procedures) you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Additional Considerations: One year probationary period may be required. Payment of relocation expenses (PCS) is not authorized. Payment of relocation incentives OR recruitment incentives may be authorized. Note: Relocation incentives are for current federal employees only. This position requires Moderate Risk Security Clearance. Background investigation will be required. Continued employment is subject to applicant's successful completion of security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, for those required to serve a 1-year probationary period, 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; 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 then 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. Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.