Senior Public Affairs Officer

Senior Public Affairs Officer

Department: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

Location(s): Rockville, Maryland, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Salary Range: $163023 - $197200 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is located in Office of Public Affairs. The supervisor is Hal Pittman. This position is not subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements. This position is not subject to security ownership restriction reporting requirements.

Major Duties:

• As a Senior Public Affairs Officer, assists in the formulation of public affairs policy and programs, and is responsible for strategic, region-wide messaging and public affairs operations, including day-to-day liaison activities between regional/field office management and Editorial Boards, columnists, news reporters, trade association leaders, and civic and editorial organizations. Writes or edits public information statements, news releases, special reports, bulletins, correspondence, etc. Establishes and maintains channels of communication through personal contacts with key members of the media (press, radio, television, blogs and influencers) as well as Federal, State and local government officials across the Northeastern United States. Provides direction to the public affairs staff in the regional office. Obtains from NRC officials sufficient information to report promptly on any incident in the region, requiring immediate response and management of sensitive information, including notifying Headquarters as soon as possible and responding to press and public inquiries. Determines type and extent of information to furnish the public and media in response to inquiries of NRC programs based on broad knowledge of agency policy and procedures.

Qualifications: In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level GG-14 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as: the ability and demonstrated experience to regularly research and write news and informational materials-preferably on nuclear energy or other technical/scientific topics-and quickly assess scientific or technical information for news value. A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate should be addressed in your resume. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following: 1. Demonstrated experience researching news reports analyzing news coverage and preparing appropriate responses/rebuttals, writing news releases, communicating via social media and preparation of other written materials intended for the general public on technical matters, mostly in the nuclear energy and materials field. Demonstrated ability to effectively translate complex technical information into plain English using various mediums, including social media platforms. Describe specific experience, training and accomplishments in the area of reporting and writing about technical and/or regulatory matters, including examples of products of a scientific and highly technical nature that were translated into "plain language" consumable by the general public. 2. Demonstrated experience responding to oral or written media and general public inquiries whereby complex scientific, technical and/or regulatory information is translated into plain understandable language, appropriate to the level of expertise of the inquirer and/or their audience. Describe specific experience, training and accomplishments in the area of responding to media and general public inquiries regarding scientific, highly technical and/or regulatory matters, including examples of successfully transmitting plain language responses. Describe specific experience, training and accomplishments in the area of responding to media and general public inquiries regarding scientific, highly technical and/or regulatory matters, including examples of successfully transmitting plain language responses. 3. Demonstrated ability to develop timely and effective communication strategies for managing announcements and issues of interest to the media and general public, and emergent events or incidents. In-depth knowledge of current nuclear energy and materials issues and programs. Describe training and experience which demonstrate ability to consolidate complex and diverse views into a concise, balanced and well-founded recommended communication strategy. Indicate experience working with technical and/or scientific staff in the preparation of strategic communication initiatives. 4. Demonstrated ability to interact and work effectively with colleagues, as well as managers and technical staff to obtain information necessary to support public affairs objectives. Demonstrated skills to search and generate stories and information electronically from various print and online information sources. Describe instances that required the use of tact, diplomacy and negotiation skills to achieve cooperation and develop consensus, and techniques used to develop and maintain effective working relationships. Describe specific accomplishments when interfacing with various professional/technical staff members in order to obtain relevant information. A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate must be addressed in your resume. The NRC encourages applicants to provide job experience details in your resume. Applicants may also use the supplemental vacancy question to provide additional information pertaining to the specialized experience and ideal candidate criteria. PLEASE BE CLEAR AND CONCISE. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

How to Apply: Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin an application. To be considered for this position, you must complete the online application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 05/14/2026. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. For a preview of the application questions, please see https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12937601. Your complete application must include your resume, responses to all required vacancy questions, and any required documents that prove your eligibility to apply. To begin your application, select the "Apply" button located on the right side of this screen. Follow the subsequent prompts to log in or register, submit all required documents, answer the questions, and complete the application process. You may either select your required documents within your USAJOBS profile to upload with your application or directly upload them during the application process. The following types of document types can be uploaded: .gif, jpg., .jpeg, .png, .rtf, .pdf, .doc, and .docx. Important Considerations: Paper Applications: Paper applications will not be accepted unless you can demonstrate hardship circumstances through the agency contact listed below. Application Extensions: Requests for application extensions will not be granted. Hardship Assistance: If you experience hardship applying online, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below for assistance. You must reach out during business hours before the announcement closing date and speak with someone who can provide support for your online submission. The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the coordinator at (301) 415-5888 or TDD 240-482-3217. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Application Deadline: 2026-05-14