Summary This position is located in the Office of Public Affairs, Office of the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security, Department of State. You will be responsible for a broad range of public affairs initiatives, to include engaging the media; coordinating the office’s Press and Engagement or Publications and Special Projects teams; and advising the director, deputy and program offices on public affairs and press matters. Responsibilities Guides Bureau program offices, and maintains positive and proactive relationships with Bureau program principals and Department and U.S. government public affairs counterparts. Coordinates Bureau-sponsored special events in alignment with Bureau and Department strategic communications priorities, and oversees their planning and implementation. Develops comprehensive project and communications plans for special events and publications to align with Department and Bureau strategic objectives. Drafts speeches, talking points, and presentations for the Assistant Secretary and other senior Bureau officials as needed. Assists with all clearance requests and drafts responses to media queries. Ensures press statements/releases are drafted and provided to requestors by deadlines. Establishes rapport with representatives of national and international news media. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement. Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F. Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: - Experience utilizing analytical methods and techniques to research, analyze, and evaluate complex data affecting the ability to communicate effectively with various public audiences; - Experience developing informational materials including news releases, fact sheets, booklets, and broadcast spots; - Experience providing representatives of the media with timely and accurate explanations of agency policies, regulations, operations, and activities; AND - Experience analyzing media-related activities, programs and policies to develop recommendations that significantly assist with improving major programs and policies. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position. Education Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement. Additional Information For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or OAA@state.gov. If eligible, telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in this Bureau for up to 240 days and may require a higher or lower security clearance. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.