The Pacific Southwest Region’s Fire and Aviation Management staff is currently in the process of outreach to assess interest in a permanent, full-time GS-1035-12/13 Public Affairs Specialist position located in Vallejo, CA.  The purpose of this notice is to determine if there are interested and qualified potential applicants, and it is in effect from September 29 through October 20, 2015.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the attached outreach response form and return it to amset@fs.fed.us.  If you have further questions about the position, please contact Director Shawna Legarza at 707-562-8925, or by email at slegarza@fs.fed.us.

About the Position

This position is organizationally located within the Pacific Southwest Regional Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) staff and reports to the Director for FAM.   The incumbent is responsible for developing creative methods and techniques to communicate the Region’s programs, policies, and activities to key news media, congressional members and their staffs, other interested parties, as well as internal audiences.

Major Duties

• Advises the Director, Regional Forester, RO Staff, and the National Forests on existing and emerging issues and their implications for Forest Service management and policies. Participates with the Director, other public affairs program managers, Regional Forester, RO Staff, and Forests in developing and implementing strategies, techniques and goals for communicating with the regional media and congressional contacts for the purpose of explaining Forest Service policies, programs and activities.

• Prepares in-depth analyses and other information needed by the Region in developing strategy for addressing critical and complex issues. Incorporates situation analysis, target audience identification, media and message strategies, and evaluation of effectiveness and cost.  Coordinates with appropriate staffs to ensure employees understand Forest Service policies and positions so they can speak with “one clear voice” in their external contacts and relationships.
• Plans, organizes, and assists in development of the regional public affairs program, which includes media, congressional coordination on key issues, public involvement and issue management, audiovisual programs, graphic design, partnerships, and volunteer and service programs.
• Identifies and recommends news media, congressional forums, and partner venues and opportunities to gain increased public support and enhanced two-way communication with national forest users and the general public.
• Evaluates national forest issues and management programs; analyzes public reaction; and, recommends methods of minimizing misconceptions and improving understanding of Regional and National policies.

Major Duties (cont.)

• Represents the Region and Forest Service in meetings and discussions involving individuals, groups, and organizations working in support of, or opposing, the policies, programs, and work of the Forest Service. Uses individual judgment in making public statements and in making decisions as necessary within the framework of broad established policy guidelines.
• Stays abreast of the most current and effective communications methods and techniques. Provides training in these methods and techniques for the field, the Regional Office, other Public Affairs Specialists, and others as needed. May serve on communication task groups or ad hoc teams to develop or review broad strategic or focused tactical communications plans relative to news media and congressional staff needs.
• Assists internal managers with methods to enhance two-way communication between employees and management which encourages honest and meaningful exchange of ideas and other information intended to achieve organizational objectives. Assures the delivery of new initiatives or programs through public affairs delivery programs, such as graphics, speeches, and communication plans.

Knowledge Required

• Mastery of the principles, methods, practices and techniques of public relations and communications program planning and the ability to apply these theories, principles and techniques to strategy development and campaign planning and execution to generate understanding and support among publics with varying levels of comprehension of Forest Service programs, policies, and objectives.
• Ability to spot emerging issues in their early stages and to identify changes in existing issues in order to provide early warning to the Staff Director, Regional Forester, RO Staff, Forest Supervisors, or the Washington Office so that effective preventive action may be taken.
• Skill in tracking changing social and political trends, changing public attitudes and knowledge of these interrelationships sufficient for planning strategies to keep policies, programs, and activities in balance with public needs and values.
• Ability to synthesize new, changing and seemingly unrelated information quickly and to incorporate it into effective public affairs strategies.
• Knowledge of all aspects of Forest Service resource management programs and administrative functions in order to develop effective issue and campaign strategies and internal communications programs.
• Knowledge of journalistic techniques and operating methods of newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations in order to direct and supervise an effective media relations program.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the news media and Congress in order to establish communications channels essential to effectively address issues important to the Forest Service.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate Forest public affairs programs and to develop recommendations to assist in achieving the public relations objectives of these programs.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to use printed and electronic media procedures, techniques and materials to prepare briefing, speeches, reports, and news items, etc. suitable for use by various news media.
• Excellent writing skills to use in preparing speeches, briefing material and news items.

Regional Information

The Pacific Southwest Region of the USDA Forest Service manages National Forest lands in California and assists the State and Private forest landowners in California, Hawaii and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands.   The Pacific Southwest Region is commonly referred to as Region 5 (R5).  The R5, Pacific Southwest Region is comprised of 18 National Forests with a combined size of over 20 million acres, or approximately one-fifth of California’s land base.  Information about the R5, Pacific Southwest Region can be found at website:   http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/.

Community Information

The Regional Office is located on Mare Island in Vallejo, California.  Vallejo is located at the north end of San Francisco Bay, 30 miles northeast of San Francisco, 60 miles west of Sacramento and approximately 20 miles from the Napa Valley.  Mare Island lies within the area qualifying for Bay Area locality pay, which is currently 35.15% above base pay.

Housing:  The median price for a single family home is approximately $300,000 – $650,000 (may be lower, based on the market).  Rentals range from $800 – $3000 per month.  For additional information on housing check the following websites:   http://www.ci.vallejo.ca.us/GovSite and http://www.visitvallejo.com

Schools:  Public schools kindergartens through grade 12 are provided through the Vallejo City Unified School District and surrounding communities.  There are public and private schools, day care, preschool and after school care facilities located in the surrounding areas of Mare Island.  Secondary and Post-secondary schools include: Touro University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and School of Health and Science, located on Mare Island and Solano County Community College, which offers two-year vocational programs.  In addition, the Bay Area is home to many world-renowned schools including the University of California at Berkeley and Stanford University in Palo Alto with other educational opportunities existing through colleges and universities within a short distance of Vallejo.

Transportation:  Vallejo is served by State Highways 29 and 37 and Interstate highways 80 and 780.  The Vallejo Baylink Ferry operates daily between Vallejo and San Francisco, a one-way trip takes about 50 minutes.  Greyhound, Continental Trailways and Baylink provides bus service to regional points from Vallejo.  Nearby airports include Oakland International (30 miles southwest )and San Francisco International (40 miles southeast) also Sacramento International is (60 miles north)  of  Vallejo.

Cultural and Recreation Opportunities:  Vallejo’s waterfront and municipal marina provide a spectacular backdrop for sailing, fishing, wind surfing, jet skiing and more.  There are many golf courses in the area.  Vallejo is located near the Pacific Ocean.  It is two hours from the Sierra Nevada Mountains and less than an hour from the Napa Valley wine country.  San Francisco and the greater Bay Area are home to several professional football, baseball, hockey and soccer teams.  The Bay Area is famous for its many excellent restaurants and nightclubs, its world-class ballet, symphony, opera, theaters and museums of many types are available throughout the Bay Area.

Outreach Reply Form

U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region

Fire and Aviation Management

GS-1035-12/13 Public Affairs Specialist

Vallejo, CA

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Please email the completed response form to amset@fs.fed.us by October 20, 2015!

SUBMISSION OF THIS FORM IS VOLUNTARY—THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST!