PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Summary
Organizational Location: Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Public Affairs, Media Division. Vacancy locations include El Paso, TX; San Diego, CA; Laredo, TX. Salary range: $125,776.00 (GS‑14, Step 1) to $163,514.00 (GS‑14, Step 10). Locality pay tables and special pay rates are available online.

Duties

Act as a senior spokesperson, representing the agency’s official positions to regional, national, and international media outlets and journalists.

Develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies to support the agency’s mission and strategic goals, including large‑scale media campaigns and crisis communication responses.

Prepare subject‑matter experts, senior leadership, and executives for media engagements by creating preparation strategies, key messages, and talking points.

Provide guidance and consultation to public‑affairs liaisons on agency policies and procedures for engaging the media and the public.

Serve as a key point of contact for external stakeholders, including media outlets, community organizations, and government agencies.

Requirements
• U.S. citizenship required.

• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service.

• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.

• All pre‑employment processes conducted in English.

• Background investigation required.

• Drug‑testing policy follows DHS Drug‑Free Workplace Plan.

• Ethics rules and conflict‑of‑interest statutes apply to all Executive Branch employees and CBP personnel.

• E‑Verify is used to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.

• Bargaining unit: National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).

Qualifications

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS‑13) in the area of public affairs, including media preparation and spokesperson duties.

Experience serving as a senior spokesperson and proactively engaging the media to correct misinformation and highlight agency accomplishments.

In‑depth knowledge of agency policies, procedures, and strategic goals for authoritative guidance.

Experience serving as a key point of contact for external stakeholders such as media outlets, community organizations, and government agencies.

Resume must explicitly indicate how qualifications are met; volunteer experience may count toward qualification.

Must complete required application steps and an online assessment measuring general competencies; scores below the cut score result in disqualification.

Education
See Qualifications and Required Documents sections for applicable education requirements.

Additional Information
Applicants must provide an online assessment score and may request a reasonable accommodation for the assessment. Completion of the application and assessment is required for consideration. Document uploads are limited to a two‑page resume; resumes exceeding two pages will be excluded. Apply through the USAJOBS portal.

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