Communications Specialist

**Duties**:
As a Communications Specialist, you will:

- Assist in the planning, development, editing, design, and dissemination of both external and internal communication products to audiences via print and digital media.
- Provide advice and assistance in writing and developing communications materials to ensure coordination and communication throughout the organization.
- Design publication templates as well as graphics for posters, brochures, and various other print media.
- Utilize comprehensive knowledge of software programs such as Adobe Creative Suite, Acrobat Adobe DC Pro, and Microsoft Office (Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, and Excel) and experience with web content management system (such as Drupal) to create new public information materials in print, digital, or audio-visual formats.

**Requirements**:
**Conditions of Employment**:

- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
- Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
- May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
- Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required
- This position may be filled at the GS-11 or GS-12 level. An employee selected at the GS-11 level will be promoted when qualified and after having demonstrated the capacity to fully perform at the target GS-12 level.

**Qualifications**:
Minimum Qualifications

**For Grade GS-11**:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the federal service, or comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-09 if outside the federal service.

**Specialized experience** includes experience includes proficiency in using Adobe Creative Suite (especially Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) to produce creative products, providing professional graphic support to ensure a company's/agency's messaging is effectively delivered through multimedia platforms, and knowledge of various communication techniques and industry standards to assist in implementing communication programs and projects.

**For Grade GS-12**:
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the federal service, or comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-11 if outside the federal service.

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
- 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.

**Education**:
**There is no education substitution for this position.**

**Additional information**:
**INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP)**:

- ICTAP eligibles must submit proof of eligibility for special selection priority, such as: a separation notice; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; or a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456. You must also submit a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) notating your current position, grade level, and duty location, and a copy of your most recent Performance Rating. Click here for more information on ICTAP.

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 you are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act; the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.- Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

**How You Will Be Evaluated**:
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Attention to Detail
Communication and Media
Creative Thinking
Customer Service
Decision Making
Flexibility
Integrity/Honesty
Interpersonal Skills
Learning
Reading
Reasoning
Self-Management
Stress Tolerance
Teamwork
Technical Competence
Written Communication

The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet