Summary Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Public Affairs Specialist. You can make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment. Duty Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon Responsibilities Serves as a Public Affairs Specialist for the Klamath Basin Area Office (KBAO) to plan, develop, organize, and direct the information programs for the office. The programs include public and internal information and education and community relation activities. -Develops and provides staff direction regarding all public information, internal information, education, and community relations ensuring accuracy and appropriateness of communication products. -Develops and implements strategies for information, outreach, and education to ensure consistency of messaging. -Uses various communications media, such as newspapers, periodicals, radio and television, outreach materials, brochures, and fact sheets, as well as speeches, other presentations, and public meetings. -Assists in analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of communication plans by considering such items as specific issues or aspects to emphasize, the most effective media to use in communicating with the intended audiences, and determining the kind of information various groups want or need. -Provides accurate and relevant information to the media, the public, water users, Tribes, current and potential partners, and other government representatives in support of KBAO's public relations activities. -Writes scripts, feature articles and releases for general and specialized news media and internal Reclamation use. -Research material and writes speeches and presentations for the Area Manager, senior staff, and technical specialists for general and specialized audiences. -Serves on a team providing support in technical writing, reviewing, and editing of environmental documents, communications, and other products. -Reviews periodicals, technical publications, legislation, and congressional committee actions, press releases and similar data to obtain technical facts and figures and similar data for use in preparing a response. -Serves as the spokesperson for inquiries from the news media and the public for information regarding Area Office programs and activities. -Establishes and maintains working relationships with representatives of the news media, stakeholders, special interest groups and with counterparts in the community and states. -Plans and coordinates special events such as news conferences, ceremonies, receptions, photo opportunities and other functions. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. You must be suitable for federal employment, determined by a background investigation. You must submit a resume and supporting documentation (see Required Documents). You must submit eligibility documents for veterans consideration (see Required Documents). You must meet any minimum education and/or experience requirements (see Qualifications). You must submit transcript(s) to verify education requirements (see Qualifications/Education). You must maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times as the position requires operation of government vehicles on government and public roads. Failure to maintain a valid State Driver's License at all times will result in removal from the position. Travel is required approximately 10% of the time in order to perform temporary duty travel (TDY) or an uncommon tour of duty (e.g., evenings, weekends). Who May Apply: 30% or More Disabled Veterans Bureau of Reclamation Employees (Competitive) Bureau of Reclamation Employees (Non-Competitive) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Department of the Interior Employees (Competitive) Department of the Interior Employees (Non-Competitive) Federal Employees (Competitive Transfer) Federal Employees (Non-Competitive Transfer) Former Federal Employees (Competitive Reinstatement) Former Federal Employees (Non-Competitive Reinstatement) Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A) Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Military Spouses Miscellaneous Appointing Authorities Pathways Program - Conversion Eligible Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers Public Lands Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority Special Hiring Authorities Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Veterans Recruitment Authority (VRA) Qualifications In order to be rated as qualified for this position, the HR Office must be able to determine that you meet the education and/or specialized experience requirement - this information must be clearly supported in the resume. To qualify at the GS-07, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-05 level in federal service having demonstrated experience preparing media releases; plan, coordinate public events; Design, write and produce variety media. OR Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for this position. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:(1) Class Standing - You must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR (2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - You must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on my official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR (3) Honor Society Membership - You may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/). OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. The superior academic achievement provision is to be used to determine eligibility for applicable GS-07 level positions of persons who have completed (or expect to complete within 9 months) all the requirements for bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a qualifying grade point average (GPA), class standing, or honors society. For more information, visit OPM. To qualify at the GS-09, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-07 level in federal service having demonstrated experience preparing media releases; media spokesperson representing programs, projects, and operations; plan, coordinate public events; conduct tours; Design, write and produce variety media. OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. To qualify at the GS-11, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to at least the GS-09 level in federal service having demonstrated experience preparing media releases; Media spokesperson representing programs, projects, and operations; liaison between various offices; plan, coordinate public events; arrangements for VIPs; conduct tours; Design, write and produce variety media; perform public outreach activities. OR Education: Possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related to course of study in Public Relations. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. 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. Time-In-Grade: Current career or career-conditional employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower-grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including time-in-grade restrictions and any selective placement factors if applicable, by 07/09/2024. Education This vacancy announcement allows substituting education for experience at the GS-07/09/11 grade level(s). You must submit a copy of college transcript(s) (unofficial copy is acceptable) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include the name of the college or university and date the degree was conferred. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not-qualified for the position. You will be required to provide official college transcripts to verify educational qualifications, if selected. An official transcript must be sent directly from the University's Registrar's office and must be provided from the institution awarding the degree. Academic transcripts certified by notary publics are NOT official. Official transcripts must be submitted prior to reporting to work as a condition of employment. Failure to submit official transcripts may be grounds for dismissal or rescission of the job offer. Accreditation: Only education from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education is acceptable to meet education requirements or to substitute for experience, if applicable. For additional info, refer to the Office of Personnel Management and U.S. Department of Education. Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For additional info, refer to the U.S. Network for Education Information. Additional Information You may be required to serve an initial probationary period. Reclamation has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and you may be allowed to telework with supervisory approval. If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses are authorized with the exception of the Guaranteed Home Sale Provision or first-post-of-duty relocation expenses are authorized, as applicable. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), signed into law December 2017, suspends the moving expense deduction and the exclusion from income of qualified employer reimbursements of moving expenses that was allowed under previous tax laws. Employer reimbursements for moving costs are now generally taxed at the same rate as ordinary income. If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may be offered a Student Loan Repayment Benefit (SLRB). The decision to offer an SLRB will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: SLRB Program. If otherwise eligible and qualified, you may request consideration for a Superior Qualifications Appointment. For information, visit: OPM Fact Sheet. Related non-Federal experience or related experience as retired members of the uniformed services may be credited towards computing entitlement to leave accrual, at managerial discretion, providing that experience meets certain criteria. This provision allows new employees to earn annual leave at a higher rate than would otherwise be allowed. (5 Code of Federal Regulations, 630). For additional information, please visit: Creditable Service for Annual Leave DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including applicant rights and responsibilities, please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/ This position is designated as a MODERATE RISK Public Trust position. It requires a fully completed and favorably adjudicated Public Trust Suitability Background Investigation (T2S or T2RS or equivalent) that is current (within the last 5 years). This is a condition of employment. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must certify registration with the Selective Service System or that the applicant is exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Go to: https://www.sss.gov This is a bargaining unit position represented by a Union. Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.