This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Executive Affairs Division (EAD), with 2 vacancies in Lakeland, FL; Newport, OR; Newport, RI; or Charleston, SC. This position is also announced under vacancy number OMAO-26-13049902-ST, which is open to Status Candidates. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.
As a Public Affairs Specialist, you will perform the following duties: Serve as a senior Public Affairs Specialist providing media relations support and leading communications for the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO). Interact with local, national and international electronic and print media to establish relationships and coordinate interviews between personnel and journalists.
Coordinate with the OMAO Communications Director, Social Media Manager, and senior OMAO managers to support OMAO's strategic priorities. Conduct public affairs functions to disseminate translated scientific and technical information, utilizing various media platforms. Communicate the OMAO's mission to include ships, aircraft, diving operations and unscrewed systems to the media, public and industry partners.
Assist with the coordination of ships, aircraft, diving operations and facility tours for media, the public, and government officials. Enhance public knowledge of agency programs, activities and missions with education and outreach efforts, utilizing photographic content and social media. Create content for OMAO's website and social media channels including web stories, scripts, news releases and speeches.
Monitor web and social media analytics to evaluate effectiveness and to adjust strategies as necessary. Serve as the policy and planning authority for the Executive Affairs Division (EAD) as an advisor to upper management. Develop, recommend, and implement strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of communications efforts. NOTE: These duties are described at the full performance level of the ZA-4; the ZA-3 is developmental leading to such performance.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS: This position will require escorting of media and other visitors aboard NOAA ships, which are not handicap accessible. Must be able to climb several flights of steep and narrow stairs and step through doorways with thresholds up to 24 inches high. Some travel is required. This position may require after-hours (evenings, weekends) work. This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS).
Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band. The ZA-3 is equivalent to the GS-11/12. The ZA-4 is equivalent to the GS-13/14. The Full Performance level is the ZA-4.
College Transcript: If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), name of accredited institution, course title, number of credit hours and grade earned. You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume.
You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken. Note: Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree, or college course work.
An official college transcript will be required before you can report to duty. Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: OPM Foreign Education Evaluation.
noaa.applicantinquiries@noaa.gov
This position is with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce.
The posted pay range is $74678 – $185193/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
Applications close on 2026-09-08.
There are 2 openings for this position.
This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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