Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Public Affairs, located in Washington, District of Columbia.
Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Reviewing final written communications products, including briefing materials and responses to requests for information, and in person preparation for speakers. Partnering with internal subject matter experts and communications officers to identify, develop, and recommend effective techniques to communicate operational policies, procedures, and statistical information tailored to unique external audiences. Assisting in developing, implementing, and evaluating the effectiveness of communications strategies, materials, and programs that support and promote enhanced engagement with stakeholder communities; and Developing communications products such as talking points, fact sheets, reports, official statements, press releases, and presentations NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. 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. You must: Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 09/26/2025. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period. Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.
The incumbent will serve as a Strategic Communications Specialist providing leadership with advice and assistance in writing and developing communication materials and vehicles to ensure coordination and communication throughout the organization. This position works closely with the Deputy Assistant Commission and Chief of Staff to develop and produce communication plans an products to improve engagement across diverse stakeholder communities. This position starts at a salary of $101,401.00 (GS-12, Step 1) to $131,826.00 (GS-10, Step 10) with promotion potential to $156,755 GS-13 Step 10). You will serve as a Strategic Communications Specialist, and your duties will include: Planning, researching, writing, and editing internal and external communications to inform stakeholders about OPA and CBP operations, programs, priorities, and initiatives, including: creating various communications products such as talking points, fact sheets, reports, official statements, press releases, and presentations. Providing communications-oriented recommendations for technical documents such as memorandum, policy directives, and legislative text, and prepare talking points and anticipated Q&A for senior leadership to address stakeholders' concerns in external engagement forums. Conducting quantitative and qualitative analysis of policy and program issues to ensure accurate and tactful communication in OPA and CBP correspondence, and develop written communications products, including briefing materials and responses to information requests, while preparing OPA and CBP speakers for in-person engagements. Analyzing organizational-specific policy issues to anticipate communication needs and potential stakeholder reactions, including those from congressional, media, non-governmental, state, local, tribal, and other communities, and identify changing policies and laws to assess their impact on OPA, CBP, or stakeholder initiatives, determining the best communication strategies for these requirements and operational impacts, while supporting leadership by identifying and executing communication requirements for novel, complex, and controversial operational, programmatic, and policy-related issues. GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.