Summary View common definitions of terms found in this announcement. Responsibilities Typical work assignments include: Helping to develop communication plans and strategies to promote various CISA initiatives. Working collaboratively as part of a creative teams to develop concepts and materials that raise awareness of CISA and its resources. Working with program experts to help interpret, develop or analyze policy/program issues related to stakeholder engagement or external affairs. Working proactively to develop media and public interest in CISA initiatives. Creating communications to ensure the final products are clear, compelling and written in plain language tailored to external audiences. Conducting research on issues of interest and briefing senior executives on findings of significance related to stakeholder perspectives and concerns, outreach strategies and communication initiatives and proposals. Providing guidance and direction on developing program briefings for leadership, in coordination with external affairs functional and program staff as required. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Selective Service - males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service see http://www.sss.gov/ You must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements. One-year probationary period may be required. You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative test result prior to appointment to this position. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application. DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid. Other incentives may be authorized. This position has been designated excluded from bargaining unit representation under the national security provision of 5 USC Section 7112(B)(6). All employees are required to participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments. This position may be designated as essential personnel. Essential personnel must be able to serve during continuity of operation events without regard to declarations of liberal leave or government closures due to weather, protests, and acts of terrorism or lack of funding. Failure to report for or remain in this position may result in disciplinary or adverse action in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations (5 U.S.C. § 7501-7533 and 5 CFR Part 752, as applicable). Qualifications Specialized Experience: Qualified applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-13) in the Federal service, or comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-13 level if outside the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: Executing external communication strategies to ensure the effective implementation of organizational program and activities; and Writing and editing communication materials to support agency initiatives; and Implementing communication activities and messaging consistently across an organization. Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (52 weeks at the GS-13 level). NOTE: Current and former employees MUST submit a copy of their SF-50 Form which shows competitive service appointment ("position occupied" block 34 on the SF-50 should show a "1"), tenure group (block 24 should show a 1 or 2), grade, and salary. If you are applying for a higher grade, please provide the SF-50 Form which shows the length of time you have been in your current/highest grade (examples of appropriate SF50s include appointment, reassignment, with-in grade/range increases and promotion actions). Please note: Pay adjustments and awards do not include the length of time in your current position, therefore, they are NOT acceptable. If you have promotion potential in your current position, please provide proof. Employees applying with an interchange agreement must provide proof of their permanent appointment. You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including Time-in-Grade, by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification AND time-in-grade claims will be subject to verification. NOTE: 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 This position does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional Information This position is at the full performance level. This is a non-supervisory position. Pursuant to Executive Order 12654 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result. Current or Former Political Appointees: 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.