Summary Serves in the Public Affairs Office, Executive Office of the Commissioner, U.S. Section, International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) responsible for the identification, development, and implementation of media, community relations, and public information functions which communicate policy, programs, initiatives, and activities with focus on the San Diego, Nogales, and Yuma Field offices, including two international Wastewater Treatment Plants and the International Outfall Interceptor. Responsibilities Serves as an Official Spokesperson and point of contact for local, national, and international media. Drafts news releases and contingency press guidance, consults with Subject Matter Experts and Agency Executive Staff on sensitive or complex matters. Creates and posts social media content and reviews and edits draft social media posts submitted by other staff. Coordinates agency special events such as groundbreaking ceremonies and Citizen Forum meetings. Arranges for and makes informational presentations to the community and representatives of other governmental entities. Monitors inquiry traffic and ensures that responses are timely and in accordance with established policy. Develops informational literature usable by the USIBWC in its public affairs activities. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Minimum Qualifications for Public Affairs Specialist. In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described below. 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). Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. GG-13 Specialized Experience: The definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level in the federal service (GS/GG-12) or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Examples of Specialized Experience: communicating principles, methods, practices, and analytical methods to identify public affairs interests of an organization; managing a formal public outreach program; establishing and nurturing effective communication with a wide variety of stakeholders; applying knowledge of social media etiquette, activities, and platforms in order to develop and maintain an organizations social media plan and presence; drafting news releases and contingency press guidance; creating and posting social media content and reviewing and editing draft social media posts submitted by other staff; developing informational literature used by an organization or agency in its public affairs activities; designing brochures, presentations, newsletters, exhibits, displays using graphic design software; obtaining and analyzing a constant flow of information; mastering written and spoken communication to effectively interact with stakeholders, agency staff, and government officials; writing communications sufficient to compose technical reports and correspondence; speaking publicly, in-person and online, to deliver well thought out and prepared presentations and participate in interviews; photographing events, personnel, activities, and projects; and researching documents, historical files, and communications such as text and email to gather qualitative and quantitative information. GG-12 Specialized Experience: The definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level in the federal service (GS/GG-11) or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Examples of Specialized Experience are similar to those listed above for the GG-13 but with less responsibilities and closer supervision. Special Factors. The following factors are agency unique for the Delegated Examining Office (DEO) to use in its evaluation. A Special Placement Factor (SPF) is a specific qualification an applicant MUST possess to successfully perform in a position. A Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) is a specific qualification an applicant MAY possess that would enhance performance in a position. QRF: Possess the ability to converse in Spanish sufficient to communicate with representatives of the Mexican government, members of the public, and representatives of the news media. QRF: Posses the ability to read and interpret Spanish sufficient to understand written articles in the Spanish language. QRF: Skill in graphics design to generate newsletters and informational brochures. QRF: Possess knowledge of wastewater treatment processes and facilities sufficient to adequately describe, both written and verbally, the processes and issues in response to inquires. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications Part-Time or Unpaid Experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the number of hours per week spent in such employment. Time in Grade (TIG): Current and former Federal employees must have a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level to be eligible under Merit Promotion procedures. An SF-50 must be provided that verifies eligibility as stated in the Area of Consideration section. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management web site: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/ Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this Public Affairs Specialist, GG-1035-12/13 position, you must meet the specialized experience qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted. Education Some federal positions allow you to substitute education for experience, for this Public Affairs Specialist, GG-1035-12/13 position, you must meet the specialized experience qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted. Additional Information If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (member-4 copy preferred) or other proof of eligibility that shows the dates you were on active duty and your character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are claiming Disabled Veterans' preference you must also submit documentation of disability (i.e. VA Disability Verification Letter) and the SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference." For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/ The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be rated in well-qualified by scoring 85 or higher on the assessment for this vacancy. Additional information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ The hiring agency may use this announcement to fill similar positions that become vacant in the near future. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.