Summary The incumbent serves as the Assistant Regional Director, Office of Communications, and serve as the principal advisor and provides professional communications expertise and guidance as a member of the Mountain-Prairie Region Directorate. The incumbent manages development and implementation of a broad strategy for targeted communications in an effective, efficient, and inclusive program with the public, as well as special constituencies of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Responsibilities As a Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist your duties will include but are not limited to the following: The incumbent actively participates in annual and long-term U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) planning for addressing the bureau's mission in the region, with particular expertise in addressing the public service responsibility, including effective internal communication, coordination, and information exchange between the regional Office of Communications office and headquarters, particularly in strengthening awareness of FWS and Departmental priorities among regional programs. In coordination with the Regional Directorate and the Assistant Director for Office of Communications, the incumbent oversees development and execution of effective communications on regional Service policies, programs, and decisions to regional as well as national stakeholders. The incumbent maintains extensive contacts with Federal, State, Tribal, and local officials; private sector groups, and other target audiences in order to ensure the accurate communications and enhanced understanding of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service activities, both as a listener and as an official agent and speaker for agency outreach. The incumbent represents the Regional Director in establishing and maintaining close and effective government relationships with Tribes within the region, ensuring that the Service's special trust responsibilities with Tribes are considered in all projects and issues and that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's special relationship responsibilities with Tribes are fulfilled. The incumbent exercises the full range of managerial authority by allocating resources and staff; applying supervisory and managerial principles and methods to lead Office of Communications staff; providing leadership and direction to subordinates; and evaluating the Office of Communications program to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Only experience and education obtained by 12/09/2024 will be considered. In order to qualify for this position you must possess both the Minimum Qualification. Minimum Qualification GS-15 One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade-level in the Federal service. Specialized experience may include: Overseeing a public affairs and communications program for an organization to highlight the mission and accomplishments of an agency/organization; working with stakeholder audiences that include Tribal governments, federal/state/local agencies; planning, researching, coordinating and producing written and visual informational materials; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others, who may represent opposing views or conflicting interests; analyzing conflicting information and data from a wide array of sources and developing recommendations and strategies that will achieve the organization's public affairs and communications objectives. 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. Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically, i. Area of Consideration. ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502. iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining method Your SF-50 will be used to confirm you meet all requirements Education Additional Information PCS INFORMATION: -Yes, entitlements for payment of basic moving expenses, as required and to the extent allowed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 302-3.101, are authorized for eligible applicants changing duty station when the change meets the distance tests as provided in FTR 302-1.1 and 302-2.6. All moving expenses are taxable. -In addition, relocation discretionary entitlements May be authorized for this position excluding contractor-provided home sale. Telework: This position is suitable for telework with supervisory approval. Additional Vacancies: One or more positions may be filled from applications received under this announcement. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP):Department of Interior (DOI) Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) procedures apply in filling this vacancy. CTAP provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP, applicants must be well-qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), score at least 85 on the assessment questionnaire, and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For information on CTAP visit: Career Transition Reasonable Accommodation: The USFWS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Please visit USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process. The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA),P.L. 114-47, allows certain individuals who currently or formerly were under time-limited competitive appointments at certain land management agencies to compete under merit promotion procedures. Note: You must submit ALL SF-50s and performance information for each period of temporary/term employment that qualifies for LMWFA. Performance documentation can be obtained by contacting the supervisors for the positions you served in during your 24 months. If they did not complete performance appraisals ask them to provide a statement of performance for each period of service. The statement must specify the dates for each employment period and your level of performance (dates should match the dates on the SF-50s). Current appointees: Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency; Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; AND Must have performed at an acceptable level. Former appointees: Must have been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited appointment with a land management agency; Must have served under 1 or more time limited appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; Must apply for position within 2 years after separation; Must have been separated for reasons other than misconduct or performance; AND Must have performed at an acceptable level.