Position: Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist (Unit Chief), GS-15

Division/Squad/Section/Unit: Office of Public Affairs/Executive Staff & Strategic Communications Unit

Location: Washington, D.C.

Working Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Salary: GS-15 - $163,964.00 - $191,900.00

Full Performance level: GS 15

Number of Positions Available: 1

Duration: Full Time/Permanent

Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the same division when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.

Key Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Some travel may be required

Mission Statement

The mission of the FBI is to protect the American People and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Major Duties:

The selectee will report to the Section Chief of Strategic Communications and the Assistant Director (AD) of Office of Public Affairs (OPA) providing direct oversight of the successful execution of roles and responsibilities for two primary teams: the Strategic Planning Team and the Creative Services Team. The selectee will position the teams as trusted and valued resources of communications expertise within OPA and the FBI, and ensure the delivery of high-quality creative assets for ongoing projects focusing on meeting organizational deadlines and requirements. Additionally, the selectee will perform the full range of human resources management responsibilities including, but not limited to:

Serving as rating and/or reviewing official for performance appraisal reports;
Initiating or approving recommendations for recognition of commendable work performance, promotions and other human resources actions, as necessary.

The Strategic Communications Team publishes the annual Communications Framework, which outlines FBI communication priorities, and identifies, plans and executes proactive publicity campaigns across OPA and the field. The Strategic Team is responsible for:

Developing a comprehensive communications strategy, which includes everything from identifying top communications priorities across the FBI,
Selecting specific topics for coordinated publicity efforts,
Writing detailed communications plans to promote those topics,
Working with content creators to execute those plans, and
Adapting lessons learned for future efforts.

The Creative Services Team produces high quality creative content and visual communication assets that help tell the FBI story. The team's taskings include:

Designing graphics, producing videos, taking photographs, and developing multimedia content that supports the day-to-day responsibilities of OPA.
*Coordinating directly with the strategic communications team to recommend and implement compelling multimedia tactics to support identified goals and objectives, and best reach priority audiences, as described in written communications plans.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Please make sure your specialized experience/requirement(s) can be identified in your resume. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Your application will be evaluated and rated under the FBI's Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement and will be compared to your responses to the online assessment questionnaire. High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume, and/or supporting documents may eliminate you from Most Competitive status.

If you are deemed Most Competitive, you will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies: Please ensure you respond to each of the competencies. Failure to provide a response for each competency will preclude you from submitting your application.

1. Leadership: Motivates, inspires, develops and mentors others; garners respect and loyalty from others by demonstrating credibility, professionalism, and integrity; provides guidance and directs others in accomplishing goals and objectives.
2. Initiative: Takes action in anticipation of future needs or opportunities; initiates activity to accomplish a task or goal; pursues participation in activities; volunteers ideas, resources, or efforts.
3. Problem Solving/Judgement: Critically evaluate conditions, events, and alternatives; identify problems, causes and relationships; base decisions or recommendations on data or sound reasoning; and formulate objective opinions.
4. Communication: Express thoughts and ideas clearly, concisely, persuasively orally and in writing; interpret and understand verbal or written communications; tailor communication to the experience, exposure or expertise of the recipient; proactively share information with others when appropriate.
5. Interpersonal Ability: Establishes and maintains rapport with management, colleagues, and subordinates; recognizes and shows sensitivity to the different needs and concerns of others; interacts with others in a tactful, courteous manner.
6. Organizing and Planning : Establish priorities, timetables, and goals/objectives; structure a plan of action for self and others; and develop both strategic and tactical plans.
7. Flexibility/Adaptability : The ability to respond positively to and to successfully manage change at work; to willingly accept new priorities, procedures, or goals; to adapt to unanticipated problems or conflicts; to respond positively and productively to work challenges.
8. Building Teams and Collaboration: Inspires and fosters team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust; facilitates cooperation and motivates team members to accomplish group goals to achieve results.

Specialized Experience (SE): All qualifying experience MUST be provided within your RESUME to be considered.

GS - 15: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level. SE is defined as demonstrating the competencies stated above.

Preferred Experience:

• Intermediate knowledge of strategic communications principles.
• Intermediate knowledge of the elements of graphic, video and photography design and creation.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully managing, developing or conducting mentoring.
• Planning, distributing, and monitoring work assignments; evaluating work performance and providing feedback.
• Demonstrated experience in managing several related programs to meet goals and objectives; to improve productivity, effectiveness and efficiency.

How to Apply

For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on How to Apply . If applying online is a hardship, please use the contact information listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.

Required Documents

To apply to this position, interested applicants must provide a complete application package by the closing date which includes:

1. Your resume, specifically noting relevant work experience and associated start and end dates
2. A complete assessment questionnaire
3. Other supporting documents (if applicable)

You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. If applying online is a hardship, please contact the HR Specialist listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.

What to Expect Next

Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your status throughout the process.

Further Evaluation of Qualified Candidates

All candidates considered for an interview, will be invited to complete the Leadership Skills Assessment (LSA).

Overview of the Senior Leader Leadership Selection Process (SL LSP)

The SL LSP standardizes the requirements and application process for all candidates, improves transparency and feedback about the selection process. The program is based on the FBI Leadership Competency Model.

SL Leadership Skills Assessment (LSA)

The LSA is a standardized assessment which evaluates and measure leadership behavioral abilities and skills, ensuring leaders in all job categories meet the FBI's standards of proficiency in management and leadership. The LSA takes place via the telephone and simulates a "day-in-the-life" of a front-line leader or senior leader, with a candidate assuming a management role during the evaluation. Candidates will be presented with scenarios that require them, as the manager, to make crucial leadership decisions. Candidate will be scored on how they handle these situations and embody the FBI's Leadership Competencies. A passing LSA score allows you to continue towards becoming ready to apply to leadership positions in the FBI.

There are no specific study guides for the LSA and the behaviors assessed are not something that one can memorize. The LSA scenarios were designed to account for the various background of candidates while assessing the management or leadership competencies within a familiar environment. In the SL LSA, candidates are assessed based on how they demonstrated the 12 FBI Leadership Competencies during all of the scenarios. The best approach to take the SL LSA is to use study time wisely, relax, and be oneself during the interactions.

Additional Information

• The FBI is in the Executive Branch of the federal government. It is one of the components of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The FBI is the principle investigative arm of the DOJ. All FBI positions are in the excepted service.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens and consent to a complete background investigation, urinalysis, and polygraph. You must be suitable for Federal employment; as determined by a background investigation.
• Failure to provide necessary and relevant information required by this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Additional information will not be requested if your application is incomplete. You application will be evaluated solely on the basis of information you have submitted.
• The selectee will be required to serve a one-year probationary period for initial assignment to a supervisory position.
• If you are hired, you will be required to serve a two-year probationary period. Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their two-year probationary period has concluded. Probationary Employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI.
• The probationary periods will be served concurrently. ( if applicable )
• Memorandum of Understanding: Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on an SF-50, i. e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation (Memorandum of Understanding):

a. Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties)
b. The month/year work began
c. Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
d. Specific duties performed

Attach the Memorandum of Understanding to your application in the "Cover Letters and Attachments" section of My Career Tools on the Careers Home page. Please upload the attachment as type "Other."

Veterans' Preference

If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume and application. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.

Nepotism

Nepotism is the act of favoring relatives in the hiring process, and is prohibited by law. Public officials are prohibited from hiring or promoting relatives or relatives of officials in their chain of command, as well as actively or indirectly endorse a relative's appointment or promotion.

During the hiring process, all selected candidates and FBI hiring managers will be required to certify they are not related to anyone involved in the hiring process.

Reasonable Accommodation Request

The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please notify the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA) Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Program by either e-mail at REASONABLE_ACCOMMODA@fbi.gov , telephone at 202-324-2158, or FAX at 202-324-3976. Your request will receive an individualized assessment.

This e-mail address is only for reasonable accommodation requests. Please do not submit your application and/or any questions unrelated to reasonable accommodations. Should any applications be received, they will not be forwarded for consideration during the hiring process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit factors.

Benefits

The FBI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees: http://www.opm.gov/insure/new_employ/index.asp

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