Strategic Communications Specialist

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Training and Development for the following locations:

• 2 positions at U.S. Border Patrol Academy - Artesia, New Mexico
• 2 positions at Field Operations Academy - Glynco, Georgia

Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Duties

This position starts at a salary of $74,678.00 (GS-11, Step 1) to $116,362.00 (GS-12, Step 10) with promotion potential to $116,362.00 (GS-12 Step 10).

GS Salary: View locality pay tables by geographic area. If your geographic area is not listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions may fall under a special pay rate depending on series, grade level, and location. View special pay rate charts.

• Assisting in planning, writing, and editing internal and external communication products (e.g., talking points, fact sheets, briefing materials, social media posts, presentations, graduation pamphlets) to inform stakeholders about OTD operations, programs, and activities.
• Helping develop and implement communication strategies and materials to support engagement with stakeholders of the assigned Academy, Center, or Division, collaborating with subject-matter experts to convey operational policies and procedures to different audiences.
• Reviewing communication products and strategies for clarity, accuracy, consistency with organizational objectives, and appropriateness for the intended audience; prepare and refine responses to requests for information.
• Identifying communication challenges and potential stakeholder reactions, gather and synthesize relevant information, and recommend approaches to management to address issues and improve messaging.
• Reviewing internal policies and processes for currency, recommend updates or improvements, and ensure guidance and procedures are clearly communicated to management and stakeholders.

CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance, Service to Country, and Integrity. Learn more about CBP's mission, core values, and careers.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below).
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English.
• You may be required to pass a background investigation.
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.
• As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce dedicated to the mission while adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to ethics rules, including obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity.
• DHS uses E-Verify to confirm eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit.

Qualifications

GS-11

Education Substitution: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for experience. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study (typically 54 semester or 81 quarter hours).

Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Assisting with the development, coordination, or execution of communication plans, strategies, or products used to inform internal or external audiences about organizational programs, policies, operations, or initiatives.
• Drafting, editing, or reviewing materials such as talking points, fact sheets, briefings, reports, presentations, or social media content.
• Working with subject-matter experts to translate technical, operational, or policy information into clear messaging.
• Reviewing stakeholder feedback, audience reactions, or communication challenges and recommending improvements to communication products, strategies, or messaging approaches.

Combining Education and Experience: Convert education and experience to percentages and ensure the combined total equals at least 100%. Only graduate education in excess of two full years may be used to qualify.

GS-12

Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Developing, implementing, or evaluating communication plans, strategies, or programs for internal or external stakeholders.
• Independently planning, writing, editing, and reviewing a variety of communication products, including talking points, fact sheets, reports, briefing materials, presentations, official statements, articles, event notices, social media content, or similar materials for leadership or stakeholder use.
• Advising management or leadership on communication approaches, stakeholder reactions, messaging risks, or strategies for addressing complex, sensitive, or high-visibility communication issues.
• Collaborating with program officials or stakeholders to communicate policies, procedures, or program information clearly and accurately.

Note: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet these requirements, otherwise you will be found ineligible.

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).

• Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable, subject to verification at any stage of the application process.
• Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 08/18/2026.

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.

Background Investigation

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the process, you will be asked about:

• Any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges.
• The use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy).
• The use of non-prescribed controlled substances, including experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution.

Review additional information on the preemployment process.

Residency

There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals must have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement but have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military.
• A dependent authorized to accompany a federal civilian or military member working for the U.S. government.
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university.
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant, or volunteer supporting the U.S. government.

Probationary Period

All employees new to the federal government must serve a one-year probationary period during the first year of their initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may also be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Education

If qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable at this time; official copies will be required prior to entrance on duty) or a list of coursework with hours completed. Education must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education obtained from a foreign university or college is not creditable unless evaluated by an organization specializing in interpretation of education credentials. See a listing of accrediting agencies and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.

Note: If submitting documentation of an evaluation, transcripts are still required.

Promotion Potential

Positions have promotion potential to the GS-12 level.