Introduction

The Food and Drug Administration is the regulatory, scientific, public health, and consumer protection agency responsible for ensuring that all human and animal drugs, and medical devices are safe and effective; that cosmetics, foods, food additives, drugs and medicated feeds for food producing animals, and radiation emitting devices are safe; and that all such products marketed in the U.S. are adequately, truthfully and informatively labeled and safely and properly stored, transported, manufactured packaged and regulated.

The mission of the Human Foods Program (HFP) is to protect and promote the health and wellness of all people through science-based approaches to prevent foodborne illness, reduce diet-related chronic disease, and ensure chemicals in food are safe.

Duties/Responsibilities

The Office of Communications, Education, and Engagement (OCEE) is responsible for managing communications, consumer education and outreach, and public engagement strategies and activities for the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) HFP to ensure these efforts are coordinated, timely, and advance the HFP’s goals and priorities.

This position serves as the Office Director for the OCEE who is responsible for managing supervisory and nonsupervisory professionals across 4 subordinate divisions: Division of External Communications and Consumer Education, Division of Public Engagement and Information, and the Division of Web, Visual and Virtual Communications as well as the Internal Communications Staff. The OCEE Director is responsible for providing executive-level management, leadership and consultation on issues that generate broad national and international visibility while sustaining confidence in the HFP and the food supply. This requires, at times, working under severe time constraints and limited resources. In addition, the incumbent performs the following:

•Leads the formulation of messaging, policies, and operational philosophies that guide HFP, allowing FDA and the HFP to implement effective communications and public engagement strategies. Provides communications tactics and guidance on internal and external engagements to HFP leadership and program staff on a wide range of issues while also considering keyleveraging opportunities, identifying and addressing risks, and supporting collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

• Serves as principal advisor to the Deputy Commissioner, HFP leadership, and Agency leadership on all matters concerning communications and outreach efforts involving the HFP.

• Directs staff and develops processes and procedures to review and clear communication plans, communication materials, related web postings, and educational materials to ensure consistent messaging.

• The Office Director devises novel methods and approaches while planning, designing, and overseeing the external and internal communication programs for the HFP, and advocates for strong communication and public engagement programs to build support for the HFP and the Agency.

•Develops metrics to measure the success of internal and external communications and uses the results to develop new communication strategies that successfully fulfill the needs of the HFP and the Agency.

• Participates in and contributes to top level HFP, Agency, and Department discussions, meetings, and conferences on broad policy matters and issues. Monitors, coordinates, and advises the Deputy Commissioner, HFP leadership, and staff on new and revised policies.

• Represents the Agency and establishes and maintains relationships with top level FDA and HHS Officials, national/international industry representatives, counterparts from other Federal, State, and local government agencies, academia, and consumer and other groups to: secure, exchange, advance, and provide information regarding critical issues, discuss questions, problems and issues involving communications and program considerations; and evaluate and make decisions and commitments concerning policies programs, and related activities. The incumbent explains and defends the Agency’s position concerning guidance, policies, and regulatory issues associated with food safety and nutrition initiatives.

• Supports HFP leadership, Agency officials, and others in testifying before Congress and in meetings with Congressional staff, other Federal agencies, regulated industry, and other stakeholders.

• Ensures that the organizational structure of the Office provides for uniformity, optimum effectiveness, and operational efficiency. Analyzes and defines significant obstacles to program accomplishments and recommends changes and initiates action to ensure effective resource utilization and the elimination of unnecessary duplication. Promotes and encourages intra- and inter-program cooperation to achieve program objectives.

• Manages the personnel and financial resources of the Office ensuring that resources are allocated and utilized in accordance with the identified priorities and core functions of the HFP.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervisor provides occupational specific technical and administrative direction 25 percent or more of the time to three or more subordinate employees performing the work and functions of the organization. * Obtains resources and identifies strategic objectives for the organization. * Defines jobs, selects employees, and assigns work; defines technical work requirements and milestones; evaluates the organization and employee accomplishments by accepting or rejecting work products; and presents and defends organization and employees work to senior management and other offices. * Recommends employee promotions and recognition; approves leave; implements performance modifications and takes corrective actions as appropriate. * Provides equal opportunity in all Federal human capital and employment programs regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, affiliation or non-affiliation with a labor organization, political affiliation, status as a parent. * Provides employees resources and information that insures a safe and healthy work environment.

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.

• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.

• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

• Direct Deposit: You will be required to have all federal salary payments electronically deposited into a bank account with a financial institution of your choice.

• FDA participates in e-Verify: All new hires must complete the I-9 form; this information will be processed through e-Verify to determine your employment eligibility. If a discrepancy arises, you must take affirmative steps to resolve the matter.

• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service. • One year supervisory probationary period may be required.

• Financial Disclosure may be required.

• Ethics Clearance may be required.

• Background Investigation/Security Clearance is required. All employees must pass a security investigation. Failing to pass the background check may be grounds for removal or legal action. If hired, you may be subject to additional investigations at a later time.

Qualifications

To be placed into a Cures position, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Scientific, Technical, and Professional Fields

2. Qualified and Outstanding Candidates

a. Qualified applies to all candidates for Cures appointments. The FDA OTS will use the basic requirements defined in the OPM Qualification Standards as a baseline for comparing experience levels and other candidate attributes for relevant positions.

b. Outstanding candidates can be defined by existing outstanding work experience, outstanding performance rating, or both.

In order to qualify for this Title 21 Cures position, the candidate(s) must meet the following required qualifications. Please note: Additional education and experience listed that is not indicated as required is preferable and desired. Candidates who do not meet the “desired” criteria will not be excluded from consideration for this position.

Desired Professional Experience or Education:

• At least 5 years of experience managing communication activities for a regulatory or science-based program.

• Experience leading and managing subordinate supervisors and teams effectively, with a track record of strategic decision-making and achieving business objectives.

• Experience in driving organizational change initiatives and navigating through complex challenges.

• Experience communicating highly technical information in a clear way and working with staff at all levels of the organization and varying levels of domain expertise; excellent listening skills and a commitment to communicate in a timely manner.

• Ability to develop networks and build alliances while collaborating across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.

• Experience in identifying internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization. Perceives organizational and political realities and acts accordingly.

• Experience identifying and analyzing problems; weigh relevance and accuracy of information; generate and evaluate alternative solutions; make recommendations.

Education Transcripts

SUBMITTING YOUR TRANSCRIPTS: Positions which are scientific or technical in nature often have very specific educational requirements. A transcript is required to verify educational achievement. Pay careful attention to the Qualifications and Education sections to identify vacancies where a transcript is required. Even if you hold a similar position or are a current FDA employee, you are not exempt from transcript requirements.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For more information about this requirement, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website for Foreign Education Evaluation.

How to Apply How to Apply: Submit resume or curriculum vitae with cover letter by the closing date as identified above to hfpexecutiveresources@fda.hhs.gov. Candidate resumes may be shared with hiring official within the CFSAN with a similar job vacancy. Candidates can opt out of this process by annotating resume with “do not share”. For questions please contact hfpexecutiveresources@fda.hhs.gov. Please reference Job Reference ID: OCEE, Office Director.

Announcement Contact: For questions regarding this Cures position, please contact hfpexecutiveresources@fda.hhs.gov. Please reference Job Reference ID: OCEE, Office Director. The Department of Health and Human Services is an equal opportunity employer with a smoke free environment. FDA is an equal opportunity employer.