Public Affairs Specialist (Direct Hire)

The Office of Communications is seeking highly qualified applicants to serve as Public Affairs Specialists. You will perform duties that may include planning, coordinating, directing, and implementing media relations. This position will provide accurate and prompt coverage of human spaceflight activities, supporting multimedia and social media, and planning and implementing outreach and engagement activities through stakeholder and employee communications, and community relations efforts.

This job is open to

• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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Duties

• Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
• Supports human space flight missions and live broadcasting of mission events from Mission Control.
• Provides strategic communications support of programs, projects, and organizations such as the International Space Station, Commercial Crew Program, Gateway Program, Orion Program, Flight Operations and Astronaut Office.
• Plans, initiates, and implements comprehensive public affairs campaigns to enhance the understanding of the agency’s programs among the general public and specialized groups and organizations.
• Establishes and maintains relations with major national and worldwide media and serves as a spokesperson. Advises on possible public and media reactions to proposed policy statements or agency actions.
• Develops and implements detailed activities for events, launches, special projects, high level visits/tours, outreach/engagement for the Agency, Center, and the Directorate in support of NASA’s overall strategic programs and goals.
• Designs, plans, directs, advises, and supports communication activities for the agency. Maintains internal communications calendars, drafts, helps coordinate, and distributes communication activities and produces internal reports.
• Develops and implements detailed events to ensure coordination of program activities with colleagues in various Office of Communication divisions, across mission directorates, offices, and NASA centers.
• Develops and/or stays current on NASA strategic communication messaging and goals to engage more effectively with the public and enhance public understanding.
• Develops, edits, and disseminates agency products on various communication platforms and channels based on AP Style and NASA Style to the public or specialized target groups domestic and foreign.
• Foster a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence and innovation. Champion NASA’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility to create an environment that promotes a commitment to safety, integrity, and teamwork.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duties/location-NASA Center requirements.
• You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
• The location will be determined upon selection but must be at one of the locations indicated within the announcement.
• Selected applicant(s) must be assigned to a duty location listed on the announcement.
• This position may require a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

To qualify for GS-09 level, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level:

• Supporting an organizations public affairs communications including communication products and plans intended for media/public, social media, the internet, or internal audiences;
• Assisting with gathering the information required to support writing and editing documents for public distribution based on Associated Press (AP) Style or equivalent;
• Scheduling activities to include coordination efforts (specific time and place);

OR

b) Completed all requirements for a master’s or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field

OR

c) Completed 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field

OR

d) LL. B or J.D, if related

OR

e) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c) and d) above

To qualify for GS-11, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level:

• Providing communications support, such as staffing media/public events, offering communication recommendations, planning activities for news events, public engagement activities, or special events, for external and internal audiences;
• Participating in drafting and editing products, such as news releases or web articles, that meet journalistic standards and ensures accuracy;
• Supporting and conducting news conferences, media interviews, targeted media outreach, media days, social media or public events and activities;

OR

b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field

OR

c) Completed 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in an appropriate field

OR

d) LL.M., if related

OR

e) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c) and d) above

To qualify for GS-12, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level:

• Planning and coordinating public communications and multimedia outreach campaigns to convey specific topics for senior leaders or targeted audiences;
• Participating in project management for communications activities by providing edits and other suggestions for articles and news released to the public;
• Participating in developing integrated strategic communications plans and component products supporting public affairs events and activities.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA’s guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Education

If you are using education completed in the United States to meet the qualification requirements, your degree must have been awarded from a college or university that is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:

– Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.

– Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position

– Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in ‘Required Documents’

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here – https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

Depending on position assignment, position may or may not be in a bargaining unit. To learn more about bargaining units at NASA please click here NASA Unions (Bargaining Units) | NASA.

• Benefits
  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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Review our benefits
  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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management’s Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans’ preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans’ preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans’ preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans’ Preference information on the FedsHireVets website.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

• Customer Service
• Creative Thinking
• Information Management
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication
• Communications and Media
• Multimedia Technologies
• Public Communications and Outreach

NASA considers 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.

NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: Agency-FCCJ[redacted]

• Benefits
  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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Review our benefits
  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.
• Required Documents
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have – whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you’re eligible under their policies.
  A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume. Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please note: if any of the following types of information are included on your resume, your application package will be disqualified:
  • Classified or government sensitive information.
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Photos of yourself
  • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.