Summary The position is located in the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA), reporting to the Secretary of State. SPEHA's mission is to lead diplomatic engagement on U.S. hostage and wrongful detention policy. The incumbent for this position serves as a Senior Public Affairs Specialist and participates in a group within the external affairs team responsible for SPEHA's external engagement portfolio. Responsibilities Advises senior officials on public engagement efforts to raise awareness about, increase understanding of, and develop tools to resolve and deter hostage taking and wrongful detentions. Advances efforts to ensure hostage and wrongful detainees and their families are included in the development of U.S. Government policies and key Department initiatives. Leads analysis and development of public affairs polices relating to hostage and wrongful detention issues. Leads development of public affairs policies, plans, and strategies and works collaboratively with peers and managers within S/SPEHA and across the Department and interagency. Develops communications strategies for key policy initiatives and issues related to hostage taking and wrongful detentions. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all the required qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. NOTE: Applicants must meet time-in-grade and time after competitive appointment requirements, by the closing date of this announcement. Time-In-Grade Requirements: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions, per 5CFR 300, Subpart F. Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service which provided the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience leading engagement efforts related to U.S. hostage and wrongful detention policies. Experience developing public affairs policies, plans, and outreach strategies. Experience developing speeches, press guidance, social media and other messaging products. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-14 position. Education Education requirements do not apply to this vacancy announcement. Additional Information For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) ###-#### or ...@state.gov. If eligible, telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions.