PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Duties

• Plans, directs and manages the public affairs program for an Air Force Reserve wing.
• Plans, organizes and administers an AFRC wing external information program.
• Conducts an internal information program to keep military and civilian personnel informed on current Air Force policies and developments as well as local activities, plans, and problems.
• Serves as the public affairs focal point for community relations on proposed Installation Restoration Program (IRP) actions and the Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP).
• Establishes contact and maintains a positive relationship with local businesses, information agencies, and social and civic groups.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Must be a current member of the AF Reserves 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/
• Total salary varies depending on location of position
• This posn is subject to provision of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Must sign a mobility agreement
• Retired military are usually ineligible for membership in the Air Force Reserve. Retired military personnel who have active Air Force Reserve assignments may apply provided they show assignment (position and unit) on their application.
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
• 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
• 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.
• This is an ART 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 UTAs.
• The incumbent's regular assignments are ART duties; however, the incumbent may be assigned some non-ART duties, generally not to exceed 30 percent of total responsibilities.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance.
• May be required to fly in commercial and military aircraft to perform temporary/permanent duty assignments.

Qualifications

THIS IS AN AIR RESERVE TECHNICIAN OFFICER POSITION.
This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) Officer position located at 315 AIRLIFT WG with the military rank of O-4, AFSC: Major. For questions concerning military eligibility please contact the Air Force Reserve Qualification Center at 1-800-257-1212.
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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience include:

• Planning, directing, and administering the organization's public affairs campaigns, projects, studies, and other major program functions keyed to random or targeted audiences.

FEDERAL TIME-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-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 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:

• Knowledge of concepts, principles, and practices of the AFRC PA and community relations program.
• Knowledge of written, oral, and graphic communication principles, methods, and techniques to conduct and coordinate public affairs activities and convey complex information to a variety of audiences with different levels of understanding.
• Knowledge and general understanding of DoD, Air Force, and AFRC programs and policies related to public affairs programs.
• Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting data to identify potential problems, arrive at valid conclusions, and offer meaningful recommendations/solutions; Ability to plan and develop news stories, features, and articles.
• Skill in working with people to maintain effective working relationships with groups interested in or affected by AFRC PA programs or policies; Ability to motivate, train, and work effectively with both management officials and other PA personnel at headquarters and unit level.
• Knowledge of applicable personnel, manpower, time and attendance, budgeting, safety and security directives, guidelines, and requirements; Basic knowledge of environmental protection, impact, and installation restoration regulations, procedures, and requirements.

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.

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 to check accreditation.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click . 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.

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 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 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.

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

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 .

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