PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

About the role

This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Philadelphia Field Division. The primary purpose is to protect the agency's image and reputation among the general public as well as with federal, state, and local partners.

Responsibilities

• Planning, developing, and implementing media programs for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) leaders and the Division that have coverage in multiple states to garner greater understanding and support for the mission.
• Coordinating local press conferences, statements, and press releases with the appropriate partner agencies in the event of a joint law enforcement investigation.
• Advising management at various Division levels on public information matters.
• Planning and directing special outreach events, ceremonies, tours, and other activities intended to develop public and media interest within the Division.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Incumbent is subject to random drug testing.
• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit http://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
• Selectee will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period (or 1-year or 2-year trial period, as appropriate) during which fitness and whether continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
• All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all required qualification requirements described below by the closing of this announcement. Qualifying specialized 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).

GS-12 Requirements

Must demonstrate the following specialized experience:

• Serving as an organizational spokesperson or directly supporting spokesperson duties, including responding to reporter inquiries; providing attributable statements or quotes for publication or broadcast; participating in recorded, live, or on-camera interviews and supporting press conferences, media availabilities, briefings, and other direct engagements with news organizations.
• Administering media relations or public information programs designed to increase public awareness and understanding of an organization's mission, programs, operations, or accomplishments.
• Establishing and maintaining professional working relationships with reporters, editors, producers, assignment desks, and other news media representatives.
• Advising management on public information matters, media inquiries, interview preparation, and engagement with news organizations.
• Drafting press releases, media statements, talking points, responses to reporter inquiries, and attributable quotes for publication or broadcast.
• Planning and supporting press conferences, media availabilities, special events, ceremonies, tours, and other public or media engagement activities.

GS-13 Requirements

Must have at least one full year of qualifying specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to work performed at the GS-12 grade level. Must demonstrate the following specialized experience:

• Serving as an authorized organizational spokesperson and engaging directly with local, regional, or national news media, including being quoted by name or title in news coverage; providing live, recorded, and on-camera television or digital interviews; participating in radio interviews, press conferences, media availabilities, and press briefings, and responding in real time to reporter questions concerning complex, sensitive, high-profile, or rapidly developing matters.
• Independently developing and executing media relations and strategic communication plans for complex, sensitive, high-profile, or rapidly developing matters.
• Developing and maintaining productive professional relationships with reporters, editors, producers, assignment desks, and other news media representatives to facilitate accurate, timely, and responsible coverage.
• Writing and clearing press releases, media statements, responses to inquiries, talking points, briefing materials, and attributable quotes concerning enforcement actions, critical incidents, emerging issues, and organizational priorities.
• Advising and coaching senior managers or organizational principals before, during, and after live or recorded interviews, press conferences, media availabilities, and other high-stakes public engagements.
• Managing media responses during critical incidents or controversial matters, including coordinating messaging with partner organizations and ensuring compliance with applicable policies governing the release of information.
• Developing or producing content for print, radio, television, digital, and social media concerning drug trafficking, diversion, substance misuse prevention, emerging drug threats, and related public safety trends.

For more information on eligibility requirements, see the DEA Employment Eligibility and the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Qualifications Standards Handbook.

Additional Information

• Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, you may request a RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Requests must be received prior to starting the assessments.
• Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants may be referred to similar positions in any Division/Office listed in this announcement.
• Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for similar positions.
• Recruitment and/or Relocation Incentives may be considered and approved if the position is likely to be difficult to fill.
• As a condition of employment, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period to evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• If eligible, telework and/or remote work agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval.

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 designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.