Public Affairs Specialist (Temporary NTE 1 yr)
What you'd do
Temporary Public Affairs Specialist positions with the Department of the Interior's Office of Communications-Public Affairs provide communications and public affairs support for both strategic and responsive communications efforts in coordination with regional communications offices. This is a temporary position expected to last one (1) year but may be extended up to a maximum of two years based on agency needs and potential funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: September 2026
Major duties
Communication Support and Project Assistance (45%) Drafts communication materials which include releases, advisories, talking points, and website content. Collaborates with other Public Affairs Specialists in the development of communication plans. Identifies information needs and recommends approaches. Media and Stakeholder Coordination (30%) Responds to routine and moderately complex media inquiries.\Coordinates with program staff to ensure accuracy. Prepares leadership for interviews and briefings. Coordinates communication strategies and responses between leadership within the Departmental Communications office and lower organizational program managers. Project Coordination and Training (25%) Coordinates events, media logistics, and stakeholder meetings. Provides information guidance to lower graded public affairs specialists. Participates in training and professional development. Performs other related duties as assigned. Depending on location, government housing may be available, but is not guaranteed.
What you need to qualify
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-07/22/2026-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 indicate the nature of the duties and responsibilities for each position, starting and ending dates of employment (month/year), and 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. To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized Experience includes, but is not limited to, supporting public awareness campaigns by performing tasks such as monitoring the status of planned media events or conference, developing proposed brochures, flyers, etc., developing and disseminating factual information concerning an organization's programs or projects. Experience equivalent to the GS-07 may be professional work at the developmental or trainee level. Lower graded technician/assistant work alone is not qualifying for this series. You must provide hours/week and to/from dates (mo/yr) on your resume -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of a Master's or equivalent graduate degree -OR- 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Education must be directly related to the position and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. You must provide transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at a GS-9. Total qualifying education and experience as listed above when combined must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. For example, you have 6 months specialized experience at the GS-07 level (50%) and 27 semester hours/41 quarter hours of graduate level education (50%) You must submit a copy of your transcripts. To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, you must possess at least one of the following minimum qualifications by close of the announcement: EXPERIENCE: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized Experience includes, but is not limited to, propose strategic new media campaigns to educate customers and advance policies and activities; draft feature stories, interpretive materials, and other written communication products; and work with the media to explain organization's activities. Experience equivalent to the GS-09 may be professional work at the developmental or trainee level. Lower graded technician/assistant work alone is not qualifying for this series. You must provide hours/week and to/from dates (mo/yr) on your resume. -OR- EDUCATION: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M, if related. Education must be directly related to the position and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. You must provide transcripts. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at a GS-11. Total qualifying education and experience as listed above when combined must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. For example, you have 6 months specialized experience at the GS-09 level (50%) and 45 semester/68 hours of graduate level education (50%). You must submit a copy of your transcripts. 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.
Before you apply
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