What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Affairs Specialist. position at Food Safety and Inspection Service?
Duties
Conditions of employment
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
Time in grade: Applicants must meet one year at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-07 grade level for consideration for the GS-09 grade level; one year at the GS-09 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level; one year at the GS-11 grade level for consideration for the GS-12 grade level).
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level in which you are applying:
For the GS-09 Level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) performing duties which demonstrate:
OR
Successful completion of a masters degree or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.B. or J.D., if related.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: You must have an appropriate combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and experience. To determine your combination, first compute your experience as a percentage of the experience listed above; then determine your education as a percentage of the education listed above; then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate education in excess of one full year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify.
For the GS-11 Level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) performing duties which demonstrate:
OR Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of a LL.M. degree, if related. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be determined from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as equivalent to 1 year of full-time study.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: You must have an appropriate combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and experience. To determine your combination, first compute your experience as a percentage of the experience listed above; then determine your education as a percentage of the education listed above; then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate education in excess of two full years (36 semester hours) may be used to qualify.
For the GS-12 Level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) performing duties which demonstrate:
Education cannot be substituted for or combined with experience to qualify for the GS-12 grade level.
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 more information on the qualifications for this position, view OPM's Qualifications Standards.
Education
If education is being used to meet the requirements to qualify, you must submit a copy of all relevant college transcripts. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university.
COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS: You MUST submit a copy of your college transcripts which show the following:
If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the
Additional information
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the
If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
This announcement may be used to fill additional like vacancies should any occur.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact: USDAs TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).
It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. To see more information visit
If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a RA for Online Assessments
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.
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.
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.
- This position may be filled as a multi-grade career ladder. If position is filled at a developmental grade level, assignments will be of a more limited scope, performed with less independence, and may reflect limited complexity/personal contacts.
- You may/will:
- Plan, develop, and coordinate a broad and comprehensive communications and educational program that will promote public understanding and acceptance of Agency programs, policies, and decisions.
- Analyze consumer concerns and needs and recommend appropriate actions.
- Prepare suitable informational strategies and materials.
- Select appropriate methods for communicating program goals and accomplishments.
- Participate in the development of educational programs including preparation, editing, and issuance of consumer food handling publications and webinars, and issuance of consumer press releases, blogs, and other print and broadcast media outreach.
Conditions of employment
- You must be a US Citizen or US National.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
- Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
- Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to Next Steps section for more information.
- Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
- If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
- False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
- Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. Failure to successfully meet these requirements could lead to adverse action proceedings including possible termination.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
Time in grade: Applicants must meet one year at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-07 grade level for consideration for the GS-09 grade level; one year at the GS-09 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level; one year at the GS-11 grade level for consideration for the GS-12 grade level).
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level in which you are applying:
For the GS-09 Level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) performing duties which demonstrate:
- Basic knowledge of written and oral communication principles, methods and techniques; analytical methods; and interpersonal relations practices.
- Writing news releases on routine events of non-controversial subjects, participating in meetings with specialized groups to listen to and understand feedback on agency programs.
- Speaking to groups in explaining the organization's programs, objectives and policies and obtaining the group's reaction to information presented.
- Analyzing agency information program materials and offering recommendations for improving the delivery of program information to affected individuals and groups.
OR
Successful completion of a masters degree or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.B. or J.D., if related.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: You must have an appropriate combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and experience. To determine your combination, first compute your experience as a percentage of the experience listed above; then determine your education as a percentage of the education listed above; then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate education in excess of one full year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify.
For the GS-11 Level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) performing duties which demonstrate:
- Contributing to talking points and press releases on the topics of food safety, agriculture, or public health.
- Developing media contact lists by establishing contacts with members of the media.
- Pitching food safety, agriculture, or public health stories to members of the media.
- Drafting written responses to media, stakeholder, and Congressional inquiries, including constituent inquiries as necessary about food safety, agriculture, or public health.
- Contributing to large-scale communications plans on food safety, agriculture, or public health issues.
OR Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of a LL.M. degree, if related. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be determined from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as equivalent to 1 year of full-time study.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: You must have an appropriate combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and experience. To determine your combination, first compute your experience as a percentage of the experience listed above; then determine your education as a percentage of the education listed above; then add the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate education in excess of two full years (36 semester hours) may be used to qualify.
For the GS-12 Level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) performing duties which demonstrate:
- Developing and conducting food safety campaigns intended to educate consumers, producers, distributors, and food handlers on the prevention of food-borne illness.
- Disseminating information about policies and programs in support of organizational goals to public and internal audiences.
- Planning, developing, and coordinating a communications and education program that promotes public understanding and acceptance of the organization's programs, policies, and decisions.
- Selecting appropriate methods for communicating program goals and accomplishments.
- Preparing suitable information strategies and materials.
Education cannot be substituted for or combined with experience to qualify for the GS-12 grade level.
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 more information on the qualifications for this position, view OPM's Qualifications Standards.
Education
If education is being used to meet the requirements to qualify, you must submit a copy of all relevant college transcripts. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university.
COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS: You MUST submit a copy of your college transcripts which show the following:
- Your Field of Study
- School Name
- Student's Name
- Current GPA or Academic Standing
- Past and Current Course Work
- Degree Program
- Major/Concentration
If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the
Additional information
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the
If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
This announcement may be used to fill additional like vacancies should any occur.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact: USDAs TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).
It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. To see more information visit
If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a RA for Online Assessments
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.
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.
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.