Federal Position Descriptions
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Head of Public Affairs

Head of Public Affairs
Responsibility
Management Scope

This appointee typically manages a permanent career staff as well as a political staff. The staff varies depending on the agency’s size.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serves as the secretary’s principal counsel on public affairs, providing executive leadership, policy direction and management strategy for the department’s public affairs programs and activities
• Handles internal and external communications
• Serves as the principal point of contact for communications and press issues
• Ensures coordination among public affairs components
• Manages public affairs issues and special activities that cut across operating division lines
• Leads the planning, development and implementation of difficult incident communications strategies and activities for the department4
• Employs a wide range of media platforms; provides historical perspective; and conducts public outreach
• Manages the department’s website
• Answers questions from the public5

Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Subject-matter expertise, in social media more than ever
• Strong management experience
• Strong relationships or ability to form relationships with relevant stakeholders

Competencies

• Ability to communicate complex matters simply and accurately
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills
• Ability to work under high pressure
• Ability to handle sensitive matters
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Ability to work in a matrixed structure
• Ability to communicate across partisan line
• Imagination

Past Appointments
  • Kevin Griffis (HHS): Senior Advisor in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, HHS; Communications Director for Sen. Cory Booker; Communications Director and Senior Advisor for Sen. Booker’s 2013 special election6
  • Eben W. Burnham-Snyder (Department of Energy): Deputy Director, Office of Public Affairs, Department of Energy; Director of Strategic Communications, Office of Sen. Ed Markey; Deputy Staff Director for Communications, Committee on Natural Resources, House of Representatives7
  • Natalie Wyeth Earnest (Department of the Treasury): Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of the Treasury; Spokeswoman for International Affairs, Department of the Treasury; Spokeswoman for the Presidential Inaugural Committee of then-Sen. Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign in Colorado8
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AGENCY

COMPENSATION

Varies3

REPORTS TO

Agency head

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Footnote
  1. 2016 plum book
  2. https://www.treasury.gov/about/organizational-structure/Pages/natalie-e.aspx
  3. 2016 plum book
  4. http://www.hhs.gov/about/agencies/aspa/aspa-organization/index.html
  5. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/
  6. https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/kevin-griffis/index.html
  7. Leadership Directories
  8. https://www.treasury.gov/about/organizational-structure/Pages/natalie-e.aspx
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