Supervisory Communications Specialist

Summary This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Health Security (OHS), Immediate Office of the Chief Medical Officer (IO). The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the Director of Communications for OHS, in which capacity the incumbent will lead the development and execution of strategic internal and external communications programs and initiatives. Non-BU: This is a non-bargaining unit position. Responsibilities As a Supervisory Communications Specialist, GS-0301-14, your typical work assignments may include: Plans, organizes, and oversees all Communications Team activities within OHS. Develops goals and objectives that integrate internal and external communications, webmaster, and social media objectives. Provides staff with direction and advice regarding policies, procedures, and guidelines. Balances workload and provides overall direction and vision to the subordinates on a wide range of communications and administrative issues. Identifies need for change in organization priorities and takes action to implement such changes. Plans and schedules work in such a manner that promotes a smooth flow and even distribution and ensures effective use of organization resources to achieve organization goals and objectives as well as customer needs. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 50 applications have been received, whichever happens first. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Specialized Experience You qualify for the GS-14 if you possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in federal service (GS-13) or public/private sector equivalent experience. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Directs a program segment that performs complex administrative and program work. Oversees the Communications Team within the OHS Immediate Office. Programs and projects run the gamut from traditional to highly complex state-of-the-art and are subject to a high degree of attention by DHS, the media, and in the area of public debate and discussion over the organization's mission and goals. All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. Time-in-grade: Current General Schedule (GS) federal employees, and those that have served in GS positions within the last 52 weeks, must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade, or a combination of the next lower grade level and an equivalent band in the federal service by the closing of this announcement. Note: Current or former Federal employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, With-in Grade/Range Increases, and SF-50s dated a year apart within the same grade/job). If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CONSIDERATION AS A STATUS CANDIDATE. National Service 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: 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. Education Not Applicable Additional Information The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result. You may be required to serve a one-year supervisory probationary period. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Non-Critical Sensitive as a condition of placement in this Top-Secret position. This review may include financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs.