Communications Specialist_

Summary This position is in the Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, Radiation Protection Division, Center for Radiation Information and Outreach. About: The Office of Air and Radiation This is an office-centered position*--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis. *EPA offers work-from-home and work schedule flexibilities as described in the Benefits section. Responsibilities You will: Serve as a national and/or international communications expert and a primary advisor to Radiation Protection Division Management and higher levels of EPA management on editorial policy and technical reporting, and communication strategies. Provide assistance in the collection of information resources for RPD staff use, public inquiries, congressional and intergovernmental inquiries, and Freedom-of-Information Act (FOIA) inquiries. Support the Public Information Officer before and during radiation emergency exercises and events. You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements. One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must submit a resume and required documents--see How to Apply section. Pre-employment drug testing is required and random testing thereafter. This position is designated as High Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation. All conditions of the pre-employment security process must be met before an official letter of employment can be issued with a report for duty date. You must meet time in grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement. If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter. You will be required to obtain and maintain a top-secret security clearance. May be required to travel 6 to 10 days per month. During an emergency, may be required to travel up to 30 days at a time. #LI-DNI Qualifications To qualify for the GS-14 level you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-13 level defined as developing and implementing communication and outreach strategies; collaborating with or creating partnerships with internal and external partners and stakeholders regarding Radiation Information and Outreach; and providing recommendations to management on program efficiency. Knowledge of environmental radiation hazards. Knowledge of communication/public affairs strategies. Skill in written communication sufficient to provide recommendations. Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Ability to maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Skill in oral communication sufficient to provide guidance. Ability to develop public affairs program materials. 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. *If you have part-time work experience, read this: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures. Education Additional Information Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information on the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures NOTE: To be entitled to selection priority, you must be rated well-qualified (i.e., you must have a score of 87 or higher--see the How You Will Be Evaluated section). Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at EPA. Our excellence can only be fully realized by staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates are committed to advancing equity and inclusion in the Agency’s workplace and mission. We encourage applications from candidates with a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. At EPA, diversity is a vital element in bringing a balance of perspectives to bear on every challenge we face. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce because we know that the individual strengths and abilities of our employees make us a stronger organization. The more inclusive our employee base is, the greater the variety of ideas that are generated, and the more representative we are of the nation we serve. To learn more about how EPA values and supports our diverse workforce, visit Equal Opportunity Employment at EPA. If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility. This position is in the bargaining unit.