Public Affairs Specialist

Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

This GS-1035-12 Public Affairs Specialist position will work for the Division of Interpretation & Visitor Services at , in Springdale, Utah. This is a permanent, full-time position.

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This job is open to

Duties

This position serves as the Public Affairs Specialist for the National Park Service (NPS) at Zion National Park, Division of Interpretation & Visitor Services, and will serve on the Park Executive Team (PET) leading and advising on a wide range of public affairs issues.

Media Relations:

Serves as the park's Public Affairs Specialist. Advises the park subject matter experts, Park Executive Team (PET), and Superintendent on all aspects of media relations. Has lead responsibility in developing and maintaining positive professional relationships with the local, national, and international media (print, television, radio, and digital). Develops, produces, and distributes news releases in a variety of formats on issues and activities. Reaches out to media representatives to assure coverage of Park stories; this includes providing informational tours and briefings, targeting specific reporters for stories, working with state agencies and partner organizations. Serves as the park's Freedom of Information Acti (FOIA) officer, coordinating park responses for FOIA requests. Leads or assists Cedar Breaks and Pipe Spring National Monuments with FOIA requests. Community Outreach and Engagement: Supports the Park Executive Team (PET) to increase awareness and support for park management among leaders in the State and members of communities in the area by serving as a park representative within organizations. This includes but is not limited to assisting with the planning and delivery of public meetings on issues of concern to the park. Develops and implements communications strategies for outreach during incidents, special events, etc. and is recognized as a national communications resource to turn to for incident/event communication expertise. Legislative and Intergovernmental Relations: Supports the Department of the Interior (DOI) and NPS by preparing briefing statements on Park issues for internal NPS officials and external legislative offices. Provides issue briefings and printed materials on Park issues for the staff of elected officials and visiting dignitaries and provides for informational exchange and dialog. Provides technical assistance and expertise to other parks with similar programs and requests. Internal Communications: Has lead responsibility for developing methods to improve the flow of information from the PET to employees at all levels throughout the park, and laterally between park offices and programs. Works collaboratively with subject matter experts and oversees the development and the dissemination of information to park and partner staff. Supervisory: The incumbent develops and sets annual and long-range workplans and assures implementation of established goals and objectives.
Physical Demands: This work is usually performed at a desk; however, there are frequent visits to outdoor sites for events or media interviews, which may expose the employee to inclement weather or require movement over rough or uneven terrain. Long or unpredictable hours and stressful situations are common.

Working Conditions: The work environment involves everyday risks typical of office settings and travel in vehicles such as planes, trains, buses, or automobiles and requires normal safety precautions. The regular work area is adequately lighted, heated/cooled, and ventilated. However, the incumbent will be required to work outside in all weather conditions to address emerging issues, breaking news, and to support special events. In addition, the incumbent may be called to work unscheduled hours at all times of the day or night and may be expected to support events that occur on
holidays and weekends.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

U.S. Citizenship required. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males. DIRECT DEPOSIT: Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program. DRIVER'S LICENSE: You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you. UNIFORM: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided. WORK SCHEDULE: You may be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period. TRAVEL: You may be required to travel overnight away from home, occasionally, depending on events or incidents that may occur in or near the park requiring public affairs support. You must obtain a government charge card for travel purposes.

Qualifications

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-04/30/2024-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

Credit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience. To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST CLEARLY (1) indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, (2) with starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and (3) the resume must reflect full and/or part-time or total number of hours worked (i.e., work 40+ hours a week, rather than indicating full-time). If part-time, the hours must be annotated to be able to pro-rate the amount of qualified specialized experience. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies", "summer", "seasonal", etc..

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level, you must possess the following qualifications:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). You must include hours per week worked, as stated above.

Specialized experience includes activities such as, but not limited to: Recognizing and using correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; Communicating information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; Producing written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience; Writing and editing documents, including press releases, articles, management documents, and outreach materials for the press, without grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors; Editing documents created by others; Producing, communicating, and disseminating information and ideas to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media; and/or Experience with all aspects of media relations, including strategies in on-camera and on-mic ability.
Volunteer Experience: 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.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience at the grade level of this announcement.

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