PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Duties
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The primary purpose of this position is: to serve as an Air Reserve Technician (ART) enlisted position located in the Public Affairs Office (PAO) of an Air Force Reserve wing. The incumbent functions as the senior NCO/Public Affairs Super intendent responsible for accomplishing a wide range of wing public affairs assignments that include elements of internal information, media operations, social media, community engagement, command information, visual information, communication planning, contingency/crisis response, special event planning, environmental, security, policy review, and resource management in support of the mission and the Commander's/Director's priorities. In addition, trains reservists in the accomplishment of the tasks set forth herein.

DUTY 1: Coordinates the planning and development of complex, high level public affairs assignments in support of commander's programs and priorities. Coordinates with MAJCOM, wing leadership, internal audiences and external audiences to create the annual strategic communication plan. Integrates media operations, social media, community engagement, command information, visual information, communication planning, contingency/crisis response, special events planning, environmental, security and policy review, and resource management activities.

DUTY 2: Provides technical guidance and policy interpretation to the military and civilian managers ofan Air Force Reserve wing regarding internal information, media relations, community relations and administrative functions for the Reserve units. Advises on communication implications to plans, policies and programs. Provides PA inputs to operational plans; assesses current tactics to achieve program objectives and research new ways to communicate key messages to various audiences. Oversees procedures used in collecting, evaluating and disseminating news and information. Ensures that all proposed materials comply with federal law, Department of Defense, Air Force, Numbered Air Force and AFRC regulations and requirements.

DUTY 3: Accomplishes work for the wing media relations program. Develops and maintains effective relationships with national, regional, and local news media representatives. Plans and arranges news media coverage; maintains an active web/social media presence; and arranges, advises on, and provides visual information services for documentation and publicity purposes. Produces and maintains electronic and web-based information products. Implements all social media platforms including wing app. Monitors all social media platforms, posting for tone and responding appropriately to message and comments within each platform. Provides input and guidance for all wing leadership on social media usage including live streaming. Ensures 508 compliance on all electronic media platforms.

DUTY 4: Performs duties for the internal information program. Uses a variety of vehicles including newsletters, newspapers, flyers, bulletins, pamphlets, etc. to notify personnel about programs, awards and special recognition, training opportunities, employee benefits, wing activities, etc. Writes and/or edits written materials and plans design or layout of materials, ensuring compliance with Air Force regulations.

DUTY 5: Executes the Employer Support Program. Serves as a member of the unit's employer support council and as a member on the state Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) committee. Works closely with representatives from the wing and community to construct employer support programs for civilian employers of reservists. Ensures that reservists are informed of their rights and responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Must be a current member of the AF Reserve or willing/qualified to join
• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• Total salary varies depending on location of position
• This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays
• Shift work and emergency overtime may be required
• Employee must maintain current certifications
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume
• Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position
• Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position
• Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
• Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on commercial or military aircraft to perform temporary/permanent duty assignments
• AFSC: 3N0X6

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions, Public Affairs Series, 1035 .

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of written and oral communication methods and techniques and skill in applying this knowledge in accomplishing wide range of duties for an organization's public affairs program involving internal information, media relations, and community engagement activities. Skill in modifying standard methods and adapting approaches to develop new information materials including news releases, fact sheets, brochures, booklets, broadcast spots, etc. aimed at enhancing the understanding of various groups or individuals of the significant issues of Air Force programs.

OR
EDUCATION: Applicants must have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. in a field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.

OR

COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.

FEDERALTIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Knowledge of and skill in applying the principles, methods, practices, and techniques of communication to the development of written and visual information.
2. Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting data to identify potential problems, arrive at valid conclusions, and offer meaningful recommendations.
3. Ability to plan and develop news stories and features as well as design and layout final product.
4. Ability to present information in a logical, clear concise manner to audiences with differing levels of comprehension.
5. Knowledge of the means and methods used to evaluate news significance.
6. Skill in developing and maintaining effective relationships with AFRC staff, AFRC PAOs, counterparts at MAJCOMs, and other DoD/USAF agencies to obtain and convey needed information.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT CONT'D:

1. This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) enlisted position. The incumbent is required to meet and maintain Air Force Reserve requirements. Work schedule will be aligned to allow incumbent to fully participate in unit training assemblies (UTA). The incumbent's regular assignments are ART duties; however, the incumbent maybe assigned some non-ART duties, generally not to exceed 30 percent of total responsibilities.

2. Incumbent is subject to uncommon tours of duty.

3. Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) position. ARTs are eligible for 15 days active duty tour each year for which military leave is granted with full civilian pay. Air Reserve units and members; are subject to immediate call to active duty in mobilization to meet a national emergency. For additional information regarding ART positions and/or military qualifications, please call 1-800-257-1212. Retired military are usually ineligible for membership in the AF Reserve. Retired military that have active AF Reserve assignments may apply provided they show assignment (position) on the application. A military service member's statement of service/certification will be accepted IF a terminal leave form or DD214 cannot be provided. The statement/certification should indicate member's separation from active duty is within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. It must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin, your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave.

Individuals selected for ART positions must meet both civilian qualifications and uniformed military requirements. In addition to meeting civilian qualifications, applicants must obtain military membership in the Air Force Reserve, wear the uniform, maintain job-specific military specialty requirements, and meet other military qualifications such as age, height, weight, and physical fitness standards. For more information click here and speak with an Air Force Reserve Recruiter.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here . To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected, and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here .

Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may or may not be used.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here .