Public Affairs Specialist

Duties

• Responding to written or verbal media/public queries.
• Drafting news releases or articles for print and electronic use.
• Developing and posting content on digital communications platforms, including social media channels.
• Drafting and executing communications plans for agency initiatives or events.
• Preparing speeches and presentations.
• Planning and executing outreach events.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must sign a mobility agreement if selected.
• Must sign an Army Fellows Participant Agreement if selected.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: To be eligible for consideration you must meet the definition of recent as defined below:

Recent Graduate: a person who was awarded (or will be awarded by June 2026) a degree by an institution of higher education not more than two years before the date of the appointment of the applicant. Exception: For a person who has completed a period of obligated service in a uniformed service of more than four years, the degree may be awarded by an institution of higher education not more than four years before the date of the appointment of the applicant.

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social).

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant education and experience.

Additional information about transcripts is .

Basic Requirement for Public Affairs Specialist:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes assisting in the creation of news releases for print and electronic use; or, responding to written or verbal media/public queries; or, assisting in outreach planning and coordination of communication campaigns; or, assisting in planning and executing community relations events; or, conducting social media communications. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).
OR

Education: One full year of graduate level education (or will have completed one full year by June 2026) in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: public affairs, communications, marketing, event planning/management, radio and television production, journalism, writing, English, political science, government, philosophy, psychology, cognitive science, and business (any field).

OR

Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion (or will complete by June 2026) of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled, such as that identified in Education above. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:

(1) Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; OR

(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; OR

(3) Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achshonor.org/).

NOTE: Grade point averages will be rounded to one decimal point. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0, and 2.94 will round to 2.9.

NOTE: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) was taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, your S.A.A. claim must be based on class standing or membership in an honor society and you must provide evidence of your class standing or honor society membership with your application.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: 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%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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 further information, visit:

Additional information

• This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Post-Secondary Students and Recent Graduates.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• This is a Public Affair, Inspector General, Legal, Learning, Archives, & Relations/Communications (PILLAR) Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
• Recent Graduates will be appointed to a permanent, career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service.
• If selected, official college or university transcripts must be submitted. However, unofficial transcripts must be submitted at the time of application.
• This recruitment provides promotion opportunity to the target grade of the position without further competition when selectee is eligible and recommended by management.
• Incumbent works under closer supervision and works in a developmental capacity performing assignments and completing training, both of which are aimed in preparing the incumbent to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties outlined in the aforementioned job description. The incumbent receives progressively more responsible assignments as experience and training are received to the next higher level position.