06/12/2026
FBI JOB OPPORTUNITY
POSITION OVERVIEW
This position advertised has been exempted from the federal civilian hiring freeze.
Current FBI employees are ineligible to apply if serving under the same conditions as that for which is advertised, including:
Appointing organization (FBI)
Type of position (full-time, part-time, etc.)
Same or higher grade
Duty location (city or state)
Type of appointment (permanent, temporary, etc.)
Job Opening: 65542
Opening Date: June 3, 2026
Closing Date: June 17, 2026 at 11:59 pm (ET)
Job Title
Public Affairs Specialist GS-11/12
Full Performance Level
GS-12
Division
Richmond Field Office
Location
Richmond, VA
Working Hours
Monday - Friday
8:15am - 5:00pm
(Hours may vary based on the needs of the office)
Job Type
Full Time/Permanent
Who May Apply
Current, permanent FBI employees
Number of Positions Available
1
Questions
Email: [email protected]
Salary
GS-11:$78,009.00 - $101,417.00
GS-12:$93,499.00 - $121,551.00
Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the same division when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.
JOB SUMMARY
This position is responsible for continuing relationships with the local media, as well as, the national and international news media. They assist in planning and coordinating the dissemination of information relating to the organization's programs, objectives and functions through the news media such as wire services, radio, television, newspaper, etc. Written work products include: news releases; spot radio and television announcements; fact sheets; feature stories; and background statements.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
Must be a U.S. citizen
Must have (or be able to obtain) a valid driver’s license
Must be able to obtain a Top Secret-SCI clearance
Some travel may be required
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work is primarily sedentary, although some physical effort may be required. May be required to stand for long hours in indoor and outdoor locations. May be required to lift gear up to 20 pounds. May be subject to multi-day, weekend or overnight deployment in various elements. Occasional travel may be required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is often performed in a typical office setting or similar surroundings. May also be required to work in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings in various elements as needed, including at studios, crime scenes, joint information centers, and emergency operations centers.
MAJOR DUTIES:
Reviews requests for information, interviews, or access from the media, entertainment industry, special interest groups, the general public or employees.
Prepares or edits organizational publications with factual information involving a complex array of sensitive issues for internal and external audiences, including employee newsletters and reports.
Remains updated on national issues, current events, and late breaking news affecting the Bureau and coordinates the dissemination of information, priorities, jurisdiction, and mission to the national and international news media, the general public, and other individuals and organizations.
Establishes and maintains relationships with the national media and other specialized groups including those with indifferent or opposing goals.
Evaluates and analyzes requests from the media to interview FBI officials, particularly those at the highest levels regarding topics that are of a sensitive and/or controversial nature.
Writes and disseminates to local and national print and broadcast media representatives, national news releases and statements on issues of national significance that reflect the official position of the Director.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EVALUATIONS
Please ensure that your specialized experience and requirements are clearly identifiable in your resume. Your application will be evaluated using the FBI’s Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documents will be reviewed to verify that you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
If you are found minimally qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process.
The first five competencies/The competencies will be used in a Structured Resume Review to objectively evaluate applicant resumes. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather you must describe in your resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the competencies identified below. Your resume should demonstrate that you possess the following competencies.
Competencies:
Communications and Media
Flexibility/Adaptability
Initiative
Organizing and Planning
Problem Solving/Judgment
Specialized Experience (SE)
GS-11: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS-9 grade level. SE is defined as follows:
Drafted press releases, social media posts, and/or presentations for internal or external dissemination.
Supported crisis management response by engaging media, attending meetings, and/or preparing content for release.
Coordinated public awareness campaigns in order to gather information.
Liaised with members of the media and trusted organizations in order to maintain effective working relationships and share information.
GS-12: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. SE is defined as follows:
Establishes and maintains relationships with the national media and other specialized groups including those with indifferent or opposing goals.
Proactively reviews, conducts research, and gathers information from various sources on potential issues.
Writes and disseminates to local and national print and broadcast media representatives, national news releases and statements on issues of national significance that reflect the official position of an organization.
Releases factual statements involving a complex array of sensitive issues.
Responds to requests for information from the media or designates and appropriates spokesperson or information source.
Education
All degrees must be from an accredited college or university. Education may be substituted for specialized experience as follows:
GS-11: Applicant must have a Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related.
GS-12: Education may not be substituted for specialized experience.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements provided you can show foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.
HOW TO APPLY
For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on How to Apply. If applying online is a hardship, please use the contact information listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
To apply to this position, interested applicants must provide a complete application package by the closing date which includes:
Utilizing the Resume Builder, outline your relevant work experience and associated start and end dates. Uploaded resumes will not be reviewed or used for qualification purposes.
Other supporting documents (if applicable):
College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement
Former civilian Federal employees must submit a copy of your MOST RECENT SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, salary, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc. This is a requirement to verify your Time in Grade (TIG). Actions such as promotion, within grade increase, or reassignment actions must be submitted as your most recent SF 50.
Most recent Performance Appraisal; not applicable to current FBI employees
Veterans: DD 214; Disabled Veterans: DD 214, SF-15, and VA letter dated 1991 or later
Memorandum for Record (MFR): Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on an SF-50, i. e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation:
Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties.
The month/year work began
Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
Specific duties performed
Attach the Memorandum for Record to your application in the “Cover Letters and Attachments” section of My Career Tools on the Careers Home page. Please upload the attachment as type “Other.”
While applicants might see these documents in their profile, HR Specialists may be unable to access them. Therefore, all applicants MUST upload another copy to ensure that staffing units can review the complete application.
Please note: Failure to provide the necessary and relevant information required by this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Incomplete applications will not be supplemented with additional requests for information; your application will be evaluated solely on the information you submit. You must complete the application process and submit all required documents by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the announcement’s closing date.
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your status throughout the process.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The FBI is in the Executive Branch of the federal government. It is one of the components of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The FBI is the principle investigative arm of the DOJ. All FBI positions are in the excepted service.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and consent to a complete background investigation, urinalysis, and polygraph. You must be suitable for Federal employment; as determined by a background investigation.
Positions with fitness for duty requirements or those that require international travel may require proof of certain vaccinations.
Management may select any grade for which this position has been announced.
Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties.
If you are selected, you will be required to serve a two-year probationary period. Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has concluded. Probationary Employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI.
The probationary periods will be served concurrently.
Veterans' Preference
If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume and application. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.
Nepotism
Nepotism is the act of favoring relatives in the hiring process and is prohibited by law. Public officials are prohibited from hiring or promoting relatives or relatives of officials in their chain of command, as well as actively or indirectly endorse a relative’s appointment or promotion. During the hiring process, all selected candidates and FBI hiring managers will be required to certify they are not related to anyone involved in the hiring process.
Reasonable Accommodation
The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application and/or hiring process, please contact the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA) Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Program by email at [email protected], phone at 202-324-2158, or fax at 202-324-3976. This email address is for reasonable accommodation requests only. Do not send applications or unrelated inquiries to this address, as they will not be considered.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), s*x, pregnancy and related conditions, or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit factors.
Benefits
The Bureau matches your dedication with a commitment to professional growth, a supportive work environment, and a robust benefits package that prioritizes you. As a member of our team, you’ll enjoy comprehensive health and life insurance benefits, paid vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays. For more details about benefits available to all federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management’s website.
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