Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist in the Office of Public and Governmental Affairs, Public Affairs Office located in Washington, DC and is responsible for assisting the Division Chief in developing, planning, organizing, and directing public affairs programs of the Bureau.

Duties

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The duties and responsibilities for a Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist generally include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serves as Deputy Chief, Public Affairs Division, and is responsible for assisting the Division Chief in developing, planning, organizing, and directing public affairs programs for the Bureau.
• Serves as advisor to the Division Chief, Assistant Director, and the Deputy Assistant Director for PGA on matters pertaining to the effective dissemination of information through the appropriate mass communications media.
• Plans work, sets and adjusts schedules, deadlines, and priorities, and develops performance standards and methods to improve work.
• Reviews work, and finds methods to improve production to ensure unit mission and administrative program support and customer service is provided to Bureau officials and employees, and provides support to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
  
  

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

The requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Key Requirements

• Must be U.S. Citizen or National
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test.
• Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
• You must meet all applicable time-in-grade requirements by the closing of this announcement.
• Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
  
  

MOBILITY PLAN: New employees hired pursuant to this vacancy announcement must sign a mobility agreement. The purpose of ATF's mobility policy is to enhance career development and progression, and achieve mission and business effectiveness. To accomplish these objectives, the mobility plan will facilitate the movement of employees through special short-term assignments or permanent reassignments throughout the Bureau. Applicants who decline to sign a mobility agreement, as required, will be removed from the hiring process. This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist, at GS-1035-15, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below.

• Applying knowledge of principles, methods, practices, techniques, and analytical methods of communication in order to function as a technical authority when engaging in liaison activities with the media and the general public; AND
• Serving as an advisor to key executives on media issues; AND
• Planning, designing and executing public affairs programs to inform and educate the general public and interest groups about the agency programs, activities and services; AND
• Implementing and coordinating public information programs to support new or revised agency operational programs.
  
  

Quality Rating Factor - is preferred

• Skill in knowledge of principles, methods, practices, techniques, and analytical methods of communication in order to function as a technical authority when engaging in liaison activities with the media and the general public.
• Skill in knowledge of planning, designing and executing public affairs programs to inform and educate the general public and specialized interest groups about programs, activities and services and implements and coordinates public information programs to support new or operational programs.
  
  

After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement (7/6/2026) to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.

You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the 07/06/2026 of this announcement.

Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.?

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Additional information

Additional Selections May Be Made From This Announcement.

A one-year probationary period is required for new supervisors and managers.

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations from ATF's Human Resources Operations Division. Please click on the following link to read important information. DOJ Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations

Career Transition Programs (CTAP Or ICTAP)

These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:

• Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;
• Be rated well-qualified for the position [with a score of 85 or above OR rated Highly Qualified] based on the competencies listed above; and
• Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.
  
  

EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation:ATF provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the job application and hiring process, and you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, please notify the human resources specialist listed on the vacancy announcement, or contact the ATF's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at (202) 648-8760 or send an email to reasonableaccommodations@atf.gov. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation is handled on a case-by-case basis.

Selective Service: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.

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.

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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.