Deputy Director Office of Communications

About the role

The position is located within the Office of Communications, whose mission is to coordinate NOAA's communications with employees, partners, customers, media, and the general public, supporting the broader strategic goals of the Department and NOAA. In this role, the incumbent is responsible for providing the overall strategy and vision for NOAA communication initiatives.

The position operates within a structured leadership framework and reports directly to the Director of Communications.

What you will do

• The Deputy Director, Office of Communications, is responsible for planning and directing the execution of information and outreach programs that support and promote overall NOAA goals, research, and programs.
• The incumbent will use expert knowledge of communications principles and techniques, the goals and policies of NOAA, and a current level of awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of professions and the public about programs, products, and services to identify the communications needs and priorities.
• The responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 1.
• Manages (directly and through matrixed management across NOAA) relationships with external network of media contacts.
• Manages both proactive contacts (initiated by NOAA) and reactive contacts (initiated by media).
• Manages (directly and through matrixed management across NOAA) relationships with various constituent groups. state and local governments. and other Federal agencies.
• Supports USAO and NOAA leadership to enable their effectiveness as carriers of the corporate message, both internally within NOAA and externally.
• Directs the continuous content evolution of NOAA's Internet and intranet websites.
• Resolves complex policy issues and advises the USAO and NOAA leadership on matters concerning the use of the Internet to advance NOAA's goals with regard to corporate communications and the dissemination of information.
• Develops innovative strategies for maximizing information dissemination using the Web.
• Provides executive leadership for all mass media activities, to include oversight of all media inquiries.
• Serves as the authoritative resource and expert advisor on all matters of visual communications and graphics design.
• Serves as the Agency's spokesperson to a variety of audiences as needed.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships, cooperative programs, and interagency agreements with offices and individuals within NOAA and other parts of DOC, and other components of the Federal government.
• Ensures the establishment and management of a formalized and timely system of internal communications across NOAA' s program and corporate offices.
• Conducts ongoing evaluations to measure the success of strategic communications plans, programs, and initiatives that support and promote overall NOAA goals, to ensure that all messages, materials, and strategies for target audiences are credible, clear, and meaningful.
• Provides executive oversight and leadership for the activities of a diverse group of government and contractor professionals responsible for carrying out a comprehensive communications program that directly supports the mission of the NOAA.
• Plans and manages the Office's resource plan. including workforce management plan and budget, to maximize mission accomplishment and to ensure compliance with budget guidelines.
• Exercises other duties as assigned by the Director, Office of Communications.

Requirements

• Conditions of Employment Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Senior Executive Service employees are subject to a one year probationary period (unless already completed).
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
• File a Public Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty.
• Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• This position requires a Secret clearance.
• There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations.
• Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information)

Education

This position does not have a positive education requirement.

How you will be evaluated

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQ) listed above.

ECQs and PTQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position.

The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

For more information regarding the SES, go to ***

Documents you must provide

• A complete application includes items described below.
• Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).
• Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit.
• Some documents may not apply to all applicants.
• RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience.
• Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and PTQs.
• PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
• VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.
• ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable: CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEMBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
• SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.
• CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee.
• STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Most recent performance evaluation.

What to expect next

To verify the status of your application, sign in to your USAJOBS account (***), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: ***

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Additional information

Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES. Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: *** Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: *** Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see ***) If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact ***.

OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.