Jackson State University Department of Public Policy & Administration

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.

New / Prospective Employees : Guide Me - OPM.gov Welcome to opm.gov

Carolyn Fairley-Holmes defended her dissertation on April 17, 2026.

Her dissertation title was: “A Summative Evaluation of the Federal EPA Clean Bus Program of 2021: Diesel to Electric School Bus Replacement Strategy.”

Congratulations, Dr. Hairley-Holmes!

Derrick L. Hicks, a 2020 graduate of the Master of Public Policy and Administration Program, earned a DSc in Cybersecurity from Capitol Technology University in Washington, D.C. on May 3, 2026.

Capitol Technology University is a premier STEM University.

Congratulations, Dr. Hicks!

JSU Graduate Commencement - Spring 2026

The JSU Spring Commencement took place at the Lee E. Williams Athletics & Assembly Center on May 1, 2026. The Department of Public Policy and Administration (PPAD) proudly has produced TWO Ph.D. and THREE Master’s degree recipients this time.

Ms. Shernica Ferguson earned her doctoral degree with a dissertation entitled, “Vulnerable Communities, Variable Recovery: Examining Disaster Resilience Patterns Across Mississippi (2910-2020) (dissertation advisor: Prof. Johnny B. Gilleylen, Sr)

Ms. Nada Alotiaibi earned her doctoral degree with a dissertation entitled “Saudi Vision 2030: A summative evaluation of tourism (Investment and revenue)” (dissertation advisor: Prof. Johnny B. Gilleylen, Sr.).

The three Master’s degree recipients are as follows:
Ms. Temma Davis-Howard
Mr. Roosevelt Hawkins, Jr.
Mr. Derek Wayne Davis

Congratulations to all the graduates, and best of luck in their future endeavors!

In addition, Professor Ester Stokes joined the Golden class of 2026, which is celebrating the 50th anniversary of her JSU graduation. What an achievement! And congratulations.

It's time to recruit our next leaders! Applications for our next group of HWMLI Summer Interns & Mentees starts today. The HWMLI Summer Interns consist of college students in alignment with the One Voice mission to ensure historically silenced communities have representation and influence in spaces of power.

We encourage all students to apply. The interns selected are not limited to the listed requests, but there is a high demand this summer for college students who:

Are bilingual
Have graphic design experience
Are familiar with and accustomed to data analytics and research dealing with policy work

We’ll also be recruiting mentees, high school students from grades 9-12, live within a 50-mile radius, and are able to participate virtually and in person. They will be collaborating with the college interns to help support and guide them along.

The recruitment period for interns and mentees ends May 8, and the selected interns will begin work on Tuesday, May 26, and conclude on Friday, Aug. 7. Share this email with the star scholars you know and have them click here to apply as an HWMLI college intern or high school mentee. We’re looking forward to each and every application!

Apply to the Hollis Watkins Muhammad Leadership Institute Here!

https://form.jotform.com/242755859395172

Dr. Denise Jones Gregory selected as new JSU president.

The Board of Trustees selected Dr. Gregory as the new president of Jackson State University on April 16, 2026.

Local TV stations had interviewed two PPAD students on the selection and aired the episodes on April 17, 2026.

Mr. Fabian Nelson and Ms. Debra Braddock were interviewed by local TV stations. Both of them responded enthusiastically to the appointment.

Local NBC station,
https://www.wlbt.com/2026/04/17/im-very-excited-jsu-students-alumni-react-president-announcement/

Local ABC station,
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/ ?projector=1

‘I’m very excited’: JSU students and alumni react to president announcement “I’m very excited. I have to be honest, I was on pins and needles for quite some time because this is a very, very, very important process that we had to go through this time,” Representative Fabian Nelson said.

Mr. George Welch, a doctoral student, published an article titled," When Guardrails Feel Weak: What Public Servants Can Do When Institutions Stall," in the PA TIMES, which is an official publication by the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), on April 17, 2026.
https://patimes.org/when-guardrails-feel-weak-what-public-servants-can-do-when-institutions-stall/

PA TIMES publishes professional public administration articles through both a magazine and an online venue, patimes.org.

Congratulations on your significant achievements!
Great job!

MPPA Capstone Presentation for Spring 2026

The MPPA Capstone presentation for Spring 2026 took place in Room 210, downtown campus, on April 15, 2026. Three students participated in the capstone class this semester and presented their research findings. The students and their topics are as follows:

-Temma Davis-Howard- "When policy hurts and heals: Rethinking childcare access in Mississippi."
-Roosevelt Hawkins, Jr. -"Truth and governance: How shifts in federal farm policy affect American farmers' sustainability."
-Derek Wayne Davis - "Mississippi as the missing link echoing the Longshore union strike of 2024."

The three students will participate in the JSU Graduate Commencement and receive their MPPA degrees at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center on the JSU main campus on May 1, 2026.

The JSU PPAD faculty members commend the students for their hard work and outstanding research efforts!

The MPPA Capstone class serves as a replacement for the comprehensive exam required for the Master's degree. Throughout the semester, students review what they have learned in the program, conduct research on self-selected topics in an integrated manner, and submit a research paper along with an open presentation. The MPPA Capstone class was introduced in the Spring of 2023.

Congratulations!

PPAD participation for JSU Research Engagement Week

This week (4/6 - 4/10) was the JSU Research Engagement Week.
There was a student research symposium in which graduate students presented their research in oral and poster formats on April 10, 2026.

Ms. Debra Braddock (PhD student; 'Degrees, Debt, and Disconnection: Rethinking the Future Workforce in Mississippi'), Mr. George Welch (PhD student; 'Executive Leadership and Fiscal Reform in Mississippi; 'Equity, Governance, and the Elimination of the State Income Tax'), and Mr. Desmond Washington (MPPA; 'The Legacy Continues: Tracing the Politics of Education and Power in America) from the Dept. of Public Policy & Administration (PPAD) attended the event and shared their research results with other participating students and faculty. Also, Professor Jae-Young Ko served as a judge at the event.