Public Affairs Specialist

All qualifications and eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. To qualify for this Public Affairs Specialist position at the IT-04 level, you must possess one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the IT-03 level in the Federal government, which has equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. Experience may be obtained in the federal government, a state or local government, or private sector, and must demonstrate the following: Establishing and managing public information strategies for an organization; Responding to news media inquiries or reporting on general news or activities of a government agency; and, Leading, managing and training subordinates in support of public or external affairs efforts. Please read the following important information to ensure we have everything we need to consider your application: Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. Your resume serves as the basis for experience related qualification determinations, and you must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience and education (if applicable), as it relates to this job opportunity. Please use your own words, be clear, and specific when describing your work history. We cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Are you qualifying based on your work experience? Qualifications are based on your ability to demonstrate in your resume that you possess one year of the specialized experience for this announcement at a comparable scope and responsibility. To ensure all of the essential information is in your resume, we encourage you to use the USAJOBS online Resume Builder. If you choose to use your own resume, it must contain the following information organized by experience/position: (1) job title, (2) name of employer, (3) start and end dates of each period of employment (from MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YY), (4) detailed description of duties performed, accomplishments, and related skills, and (5) hours worked per week (part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience). Federal experience/positions must also include the occupational series, grade level, and dates in which you held each grade level. Are you a current or former FEMA Reservist/Disaster Assistance Employee (DAE)? To accurately credit your experience from intermittent positions and Reservist Deployments, you must list the dates (from MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YY) of deployments that are relevant to your qualifying experience, along with the job title and specific duties you were responsible for during each deployment. Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information. Failure to provide the above information in your resume may result in your application being found "not qualified." 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 provides valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. For additional information on crediting experience and/or education, please reference the OPM General Schedule Qualification Standards This position is being announced under FEMA's Incident Management Assistant Team (IMAT) Program. This is a 1-year temporary appointment in the Excepted service. This position is located on a Type II, Regional IMAT Team and has a starting salary of $57.02 per hour; however, the maximum salary possible in this position is $87.58 per hour. Salary listed includes locality pay.

Position Details

• Job Title: Public Affairs Specialist
• Company / Organisation: Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Field / Industry: Writing & Content
• Work Arrangement: On-site or hybrid - Chicago, Illinois

About This Opportunity

This full-time opportunity at Federal Emergency Management Agency is an excellent opening for experienced professionals in the field of marketing and digital growth. The role is structured around an on-site or hybrid environment based in Chicago, Illinois and is designed for candidates who are ready to make a meaningful contribution from the moment they join.

Based in Chicago, Illinois, this role offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with a local team in a structured professional environment. Candidates currently based in the area or open to relocation are strongly encouraged to apply.

Whether you are an established practitioner in marketing and digital growth or a highly skilled professional looking for your next challenge, this Public Affairs Specialist role offers the platform to apply your expertise in a real-world, results-oriented environment. Federal Emergency Management Agency is looking for a candidate who can hit the ground running and add genuine value to the team.

Who Should Apply

This role is ideal for candidates who have a solid background in marketing and digital growth and a demonstrable track record of delivering high-quality results. You should possess strategic thinking, creativity, data literacy, and strong written communication. Experience working with marketing platforms, analytics tools, content management systems, and campaign management software will be an advantage, though a commitment to continuous learning and professional development is equally valued.

Beyond technical or domain expertise, Federal Emergency Management Agency is looking for someone who communicates clearly, collaborates effectively with colleagues and stakeholders, and takes ownership of their work from start to finish. If you thrive in a professional environment and are passionate about the opportunity to drive brand awareness, audience growth, and measurable business results, we encourage you to apply.

Key Competencies for This Role

Successful candidates for the Public Affairs Specialist position at Federal Emergency Management Agency will typically demonstrate the following core competencies:

• Domain expertise - a strong foundation of knowledge and hands-on experience in marketing and digital growth
• Problem-solving ability - the capacity to identify challenges, think critically, and implement practical solutions efficiently
• Communication skills - clear and professional communication with colleagues, stakeholders, and partners at all levels
• Self-management - strong time management and the ability to prioritise a varied workload while meeting deadlines
• Team collaboration - a collaborative and supportive approach to working alongside colleagues across departments or locations
• Adaptability - the ability to respond positively to change and thrive in a dynamic, evolving work environment

How to Apply

To apply for this Public Affairs Specialist position at Federal Emergency Management Agency, click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be taken directly to the official application page where you can complete and submit your application.

Before applying, please ensure that your CV or résumé is fully up to date and clearly highlights your experience and accomplishments in marketing and digital growth. If a cover letter is included or requested, tailor it specifically to this role and explain how your background, skills, and goals align with what Federal Emergency Management Agency is looking for in a Public Affairs Specialist.

All applications for this role are processed directly by Federal Emergency Management Agency. Career Nest facilitates the job discovery process and does not pre-screen or forward applications on behalf of employers. There are no fees for job seekers at any stage of the application process.

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