Public Affairs Specialist

DHS Headquarters

Springfield, VA

JobSummary

This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Protection Service (FPS), Springfield, Virginia.

LowGrade

HighGrade

PromotionPotential

None

SubAgencyName

Federal Protection Service (FPS)

OrganizationCodes

HS/HSAA

Relocation

False

HiringPath

fed-transition
overseas
fed-competitive
disability
land
mspouse
peace
special-authorities
vet

MCOTags

TotalOpenings

AgencyMarketingStatement

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws, safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a diverse workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS. DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Employee Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more. (Disabled Veteran Leave) View Common Definitions of terms found in this announcement.

TravelCode

ApplyOnlineUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/Apply

DetailStatusUrl

https://apply.usastaffing.gov/Application/ApplicationStatus

MajorDuties

The primary purpose of this position is to lead, manage, and coordinate organization-wide public affairs and communication strategies to ensure alignment with departmental objectives. Duties performed: Leading the development of communication strategies that integrate public affairs priorities across all regions and headquarters offices. Providing counsel to senior executives and regional directors on communication approaches for sensitive or high-visibility issues. Maintaining awareness of evolving departmental policies to update and refine organization-wide communication guidance. Coordinating with federal, regional, and private sector stakeholders to advance public affairs objectives and foster strategic partnerships. Serving on advisory boards and committees to influence policy decisions impacting organization-wide communication programs.

Education

Requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/). One-year probationary period may be required. Must meet Time-In-Grade requirements. Pre-Employment Drug Testing: This position requires a negative pre-employment drug test prior to appointment into the position. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application. DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. License required: No Pre-employment physical required: No This is a non-bargaining unit position. Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid. Confidential Financial Disclosure Report: This position's duties and responsibilities require the initial and annual filing of the Office of Government Ethics Confidential Financial Disclosure Report. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) regulations require certain Government employees to file annual confidential financial disclosure reports. This requirement ensures compliance with conflict-of-interest laws and standards of conduct regulations. The duties of this position as described require the filling of OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report. The incumbent of this position may have responsibility for reviewing or making recommendations on procurement. Promotion Potential: This position is at the full performance level. Random Drug Testing: The incumbent of this position is subject to random drug testing.

Evaluations

Based on your responses, you will receive a score from the Assessment(s). Those applicants who score the highest will be referred to the hiring manager where they may be called for an interview. Failure to complete the interview may result in removal from further consideration. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have overstated your qualifications and/or experience, you will be removed from consideration or your score will be lowered. Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards as an indicator of quality of prior experience; no points will be assigned. For Competitive Merit Promotion and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Applicants: The highest rated candidates will be referred to the hiring agency. For Noncompetitive Appointment Eligibles: All qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring agency. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions (you must submit a DD214-member copy 4). Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above. To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12918149

HowToApply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 04/15/2026 to receive consideration. Two Page resume: Effective immediately, all job announcements will enforce a two page resume limit. A resume must be no more than two pages. If an applicant's resume exceeds two-pages, the USA jobs database will not allow the application to be submitted. If a resume is still uploaded and exceeds the two page limit, despite strict instruction not to, the applicant will be rated out and deemed ineligible for further consideration. PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application. The application process is as follows: To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

WhatToExpectNext

Once you submit your application, you will receive a link to the Job compatibility assessment. Once that is complete, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email the outcome after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on your USAJOBS account throughout the process. Note: This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies during the next 90 days. This could result in a few or many vacancies being filled from this announcement. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. We expect to make a selection within 60 days of the closing date of this announcement. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change. For more information on applying for Federal employment, please click here.

RequiredDocuments

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your resume showing a detailed description of your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates with the month and year and hours worked per week (if less than 40) for each paid and non-paid work experience job title listed. Limit your resume to two pages. Only resumes 2 pages in length will be accepted to determine eligibility and qualifications. 2. Other supporting documents (only submit if applicable to you): Are you a current federal employee? Submit a copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, with-in grade/range increases); your current promotion potential; proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement; etc. Are you a former federal employee? Submit a copy of your last SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration and a copy of your last Federal Performance appraisal. Are you a veteran? Submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 or other (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) or notice form. Those applying for 10-Point preference must fill out the SF-15 and provide an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference. If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date you submit your application. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP)? If so, submit the documents applicable to you: A copy of the documentation demonstrating your status as a surplus or displaced employee (See OPM's Career Transition Guide for additional information regarding these statuses); A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action," noting your position, grade level, and duty location. If you have already separated, submit a copy of your SF-50 documenting your separation; A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating (if your separation notice does not have this information included); and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. Are you eligible for a special noncompetitive hiring authority (e.g., Schedule A Disability, Peace Corps, Former Overseas Employees, etc.)? Submit documentation of proof that supports your eligibility under a special hiring authority. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title; Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee); Agency; and Beginning and ending dates of appointment. Are you applying under special hiring authorities as a military spouse? Provide a copy of your: Marriage certificate, and A completed SF-15 with supporting documentation. You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.

Benefits

BenefitsUrl

https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-careers/benefits

OtherInformation

Note: DHS continues to take necessary steps to keep our workforce safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic. If you receive a final job offer to onboard, please complete the onboarding forms and submit them electronically in an expeditious manner. Your start date may be delayed if the action above is not completed. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for a Top Secret /Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance as a condition of placement in this Special Sensitive/High Risk position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Pursuant to Executive Order 12654 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP/CTAP): This program applies to Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed, or employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet eligibility criteria for CTAP or ICTAP; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. Well-Qualified includes those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. For information on eligibility criteria and required documentation, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/). If you are unable to apply online contact CSB_Inquiries@opm.gov.

KeyRequirements

WithinArea

False

CommuteDistance

ServiceType

AnnouncementClosingType

AnnouncementClosingTypeOption

100

AgencyContactEmail

CSB_Inquiries@opm.gov

SecurityClearance

Sensitive Compartmented Information