Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist

Minimum Qualification Requirements: Specialized Experience To qualify for the GS-14, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1. Providing public affairs, media relations, or incident communication support for wildland fire operations, emergency management programs, Incident Management Teams, or other all-hazard response organizations. 2. Developing and coordinating public affairs products-such as press releases, media statements, talking points, speeches, advisories, or executive briefing materials-for distribution to the public and senior leadership. 3. Serving as a spokesperson or primary media point of contact on sensitive, high-visibility, or controversial issues requiring coordinated messaging and engagement. 4. Coordinating or executing communication activities during emergencies, incidents, crises, or other time-sensitive events that require rapid public information dissemination. Must meet all. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Merit Promotion candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Office of Communications. The official duty station will be negotiated upon selection. At the full performance level GS-14 the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following: 1. Leads the development and execution of strategic communication plans and public affairs initiatives supporting U.S. Wildland Fire Service (WFS) programs, policies, and priorities. 2. Develops, coordinates, and clears communication products, including press releases, media advisories, statements, talking points, speeches, and briefing materials. 3. Works with the Department communications office on high-visibility, sensitive, and controversial issues related to wildland fire programs and operations. 4. Advises WFS leadership on communication strategies, media relations, public perception, and reputational risks associated with Departmental initiatives and incidents. 5. Supervises the U.S. Wildland Fire communications team, including workforce planning, assigning work, evaluating performance, resolving personnel issues, and ensuring employee development and accountability. 6.Coordinates communication activities with federal, state, tribal, and local partners, Incident Management Teams, and interagency fire organizations to ensure consistent messaging and support unified communication objectives. Salary Information $125,776- $163,514 per annum* *Pay rates vary depending on location and the salary shown is for the Rest of the U.S. Pay tables found here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2026/general-schedule/ This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available.