Summary

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is seeking highly qualified individuals who are willing to meet the challenges of public service and support our mission.

Applicants selected for the Washington, D.C. duty location may be required to report to the Washington, D.C. office upon entry on duty and subsequently transition to reporting to the Alexandria, Virginia location.

Learn more about this agency

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Senior executives

Individuals looking for an executive-level job and who meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

Clarification from the agency

Open to all qualified U.S. citizens. Open to current employees within the Federal civil service. SES reinstatement eligibles and SESCDP graduates may also apply for noncompetitive consideration.

Duties

The General Deputy Assistant Secretary (GDAS) for Public Affairs reports to the Assistant Secretary (AS) for Public Affairs. The incumbent operates with broad discretionary authority, guided by the broad policy initiatives of Office of Public Affairs (OPA), but is responsible for developing his/her own approaches and initiatives regarding the various duties and assignments.

The primary responsibility of the incumbent is to serve as the GDAS, HUD's senior public affairs career staff expert on housing policy and program issues. The GDAS manages the career staff in OPA and oversees the operations of the office. The GDAS will advise the AS regarding all communication matters, maintain strategy around key stakeholders, support essential enterprise-wide processes and operations, providing sound guidance and strategic recommendations on sensitive, broad, complex, and highly visible public affairs, public engagement, and content issues. The incumbent will ensure continuity of messaging across administrations and will serve as a source of institutional memory during leadership and staff transitions to preclude disruption in the timeliness and effectiveness of public affairs support.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as HUD's senior level technical authority on public affairs and public engagement matters ensuring an enterprise-wide perspective is taken in planning, coordinating, and executing the program. This includes responsibility to:

Develop, review, approve, and execute strategic communications and roll out plans, programs, and initiatives that include the development, management, and execution of strategic messages, plans, operational concepts, themes, policies, position papers and briefings to support HUD programs.
Evaluate trends in public opinion to determine public attitudes and perceptions related to HUD policies of community interest. This may include participation in meetings with federal and state legislators, community groups, and other stakeholders to determine HUD's program needs and develop recommendations on ways to improve communication with various constituent organizations and interest groups.
Advise OPA staff on uniquely challenging, difficult, and sensitive matters; and advise/work with senior leadership and HUD management from various other program areas on special projects and unusual cases by using expertise to guide or modify public affairs methods, techniques, and approaches to special needs.
Conduct legal, legislative, and regulatory research, review, interpretation and analysis regarding Federal and Departmental issues and activities concerning HUD programs; consider political, social, economic, technical, and administrative factors with potential impact on the recommended policies and public affairs program development.
Lead and/or support broad projects and/or initiatives that require support from multiple stakeholders. Will deal regularly with internal and external stakeholders, as well as the regional Public Affairs Specialists to gain support and understanding for the project and/or initiative.
Support Assistant Secretary as HUD spokesperson and serve as senior HUD spokesperson on some national media matters. Provides support and counsel to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary on talking points and strategy for high-visibility and high sensitivity issues.
Provides OPA administrative management and technical supervision. This includes responsibility to:
- Manage OPA career staff. Serve as direct supervisor for career Public Affairs directors, specialists and officers, website staff in the Office of Public Affairs.
- Coordinate with FPM on matrix management of regional Public Affairs Officers and coordination around field management process.
- Ensure all photos, videos, branding, and other content is reviewed for brand integrity and that it is consistent with organizational goals.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National of the United States.
Ability to complete personnel security vetting (e.g., investigation, evaluation, and adjudication) prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
Subject to an one-year supervisory probationary period (unless already completed).
If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you are registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so (see www.sss.gov).
File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
Complete the Declaration for Federal Employment, Optional Form (OF) 306, to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.

Qualifications

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last five (5) years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Noncareer SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information on your resume and to the Human Resources Office.

As a basic requirement for entry into the senior executive service (SES), applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible executive leadership and supervisory experience that is indicative of senior executive level managerial capability. This experience should be sufficiently broad in scope and at a major management level in a large or complex organization. The ideal candidate will have experience supervising many employees through subordinate supervisors and have experience hiring, developing, and evaluating employees. Typically, experience of this nature is at the GS-15 or equivalent level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector.

Your application should demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully fulfill responsibilities inherent in SES positions such as:

Leading the work of an organizational unit
Ensuring the success of one or more specific major programs or projects
Monitoring progress toward strategic organizational goals, evaluating organizational performance and taking action to improve performance
Supervising the work of employees, developing policy and other executive functions

If your experience does not include these basic qualifications, you will not be determined qualified for this position.

Veterans' preference: Is not applicable to positions in the Senior Executive Service.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Applications received with resumes exceeding the 2-page limit will be disqualified and will not receive further consideration.Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare narrative statements specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs).

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy these technical qualifications.

MTQ 1 - Demonstrated experience managing high level strategic public engagement and stakeholder engagement for an organization.

MTQ 2 - Demonstrated experience developing effective strategies to publicize organizational policies, goals, and accomplishments; managing or coordinating high priority media campaigns and information programs; and interacting with internal and external organizations, groups and individuals to secure and provide information concerning matters affecting organizational policy, interests, and initiatives.

MTQ 3 - Demonstrated experience managing organizational change.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Mandatory Technical Qualification (MTQ) requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your two-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and MTQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. Review ECQ guidance in OPM Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board.

These are the five ECQs and their competencies:

ECQ 1 - COMMITMENT TO THE RULE OF LAW AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FOUNDING: This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. (Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, Civic-Mindedness).

ECQ 2 - DRIVING EFFICIENCY: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. (Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology).

ECQ 3 - MERIT AND COMPETENCE: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. (Competencies: Technical Skill, Problem Solving, Agility and Resilience).

ECQ 4 - LEADING PEOPLE: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. (Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgement).

ECQ 5 - ACHIEVING RESULTS: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. (Competencies: Operational Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking).

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you MUST attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

A method to present demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and MTQs is to use the C - C - A - R model (Challenge / Context / Action / Results):

1. Challenge - Describe a specific problem or goal.

2. Context - Talk about the individuals and groups you worked with, and/or the environment in which you worked to tackle a particular challenge (e.g., clients, co-workers, members of Congress, shrinking budget, low morale).

3. Action - Discuss the specific actions you took to address a challenge.

4. Results - Give specific examples of the results of your actions. These accomplishments demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of your leadership skills.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development strives to ensure that the public perceives HUD as a fair and equitable agency that administers its programs in an objective and impartial manner. As such, HUD is committed to its government ethics program which advises employees on applicable ethics laws and regulations designed to protect the agency against real and apparent conflicts of interest.As a federal employee, you will be subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct, and the U.S. criminal conflict of interest statutes. As a HUD employee, you will also be subject to the HUD Supplemental Ethics Regulations which includes restrictions on working in a real estate related business, and having Section 8 tenants, along with other prohibited interests and outside activities and employment. To review applicable ethics rules, including HUD specific rules, please visit https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/general_counsel/ethics.

Depending on your position, you may also be required to file a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278e) within 30 days of your appointment. Upon your new appointment, you will receive guidance regarding your ethics obligations. You will also be required to attend a mandatory ethics training within 3 months of your appointment. If you have any questions or concerns about the ethics requirements, please contact the Ethics and Appeals Division at email address: EthicsLawDivision@hud.gov

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire CompetencyBased Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

All applicants must submit a two-page resume (not to exceed two-pages) which reflects demonstrated experience for each ECQ and MTQ.

Failure to submit a two-page resume WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION. As a result, you will be rated as "INCOMPLETE".

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (MTQ) listed above. ECQs and MTQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Applicants will be evaluated on the quality and extent of their total accomplishments, experience, the ECQs, and the MTQs. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more structured interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.

Veterans' preference: Is not applicable to positions in the Senior Executive Service.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

Civic-Mindedness
Fiscal Responsibility
Managing Resources
Leveraging Technology
Technical Skill
Problem Solving
Agility and Resilience
Accountability
Developing Others
Executive Judgement
Operational Mindset
Innovation
Strategic Thinking
Customer Service
Influencing/Negotiating
Conflict Management
Team Building
Interpersonal Skills
Integrity/Honesty
Continual Learning

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Required Documents

**************ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED IN PDF FORMAT*******************

A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible).

Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants.

1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and MTQs. Review resume guidance in OPM Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board.

2. VACANCY QUESTION/ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES: Responses are automatically submitted through USA Jobs when you apply to this vacancy.

3. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable:

CURRENT OR FORMER SES MEBERS: Must provide your SES appointment SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), and an SF-50 showing current career SES status or career SES reinstatement eligibility.
SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: Verification of successful completion of an OPM-approved SESCDP and OPM SES QRB certification.
CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: Must provide a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting you are a current Federal Civil Service employee.
CURRENT OR FORMER POLITICAL APPOINTEES: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last five (5) years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Noncareer SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information on your resume and to the Human Resources Office.

Veterans' preference: Is not applicable to positions in the Senior Executive Service.

REMINDER: Before uploading your required documents, please ensure they are in PDF format and DO NOT EXCEED the noted page limits.

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 04/24/2026to receive consideration. Review resume guidance in OPM Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. Before uploading your required documents, please ensure they are in PDF format and DO NOT EXCEED the noted page limits.

After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application.

Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages.

If you are required to complete a USA Hire Assessment, you will be notified after this announcement closes. The notification will be delivered to the email address in your USAJOBS account. It will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Please note, the email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder.

Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.

Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.

Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.

Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.

Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us.

To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: HUDprovides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Office of Executive Resources listed in this vacancy. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Notice Concerning Materially False, Fictitious, or Fraudulent StatementsAnything you claim in the occupational questionnaire or in your resume may be subject to verification. By completing the electronic application process, you are certifying that any statements you make are true, complete, and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations are subject to disciplinary action.

Extraneous documents provided with your application package will not be considered.

Agency contact information

Office of Executive Resources

Email

executiveresources@hud.gov

Address

Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs
451 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 20410
US

Next steps

To verify the status of your application, sign in to your USAJOBS account (https://www.usajobs.gov/), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to.

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
To check the status of your application for this position, login to your USAJOBS account, select the "Applications" tab section, and click on the applied vacancies.

Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

Overview

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

04/10/2026 to 04/24/2026

Salary

$151,661 - $228,000 per year

Pay scale & grade

ES 00

Location

Alexandria, VA

1 vacancy

Remote job

No

Telework eligible

Yes—as determined by the agency policy.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Senior Executive

Promotion potential

00

Job family (Series)

1035 Public Affairs

Supervisory status

Yes

Security clearance

Not Required

Drug test

No

Position sensitivity and risk

High Risk (HR)

Trust determination process

Credentialing
Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure

Yes

Bargaining unit status

No

Announcement number

HUD-OPA-SES-26-12924013

Control number

864764800

US Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs

About Company

General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs