PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Duties

A GS-1035-11, PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST:

• Coordinates the planning and development of complex, high level public affairs assignments in support of commander's programs and priorities.
• Carries out public affairs tasks that support the wing commander's priorities through the integration of visual information, social media, community engagement, command information, communication planning, contingency/crisis response, media operations, environmental, security and policy review, and public affairs resource management activities.
• Responds to requests for information, materials and support; and plans and conducts community engagement activities with community officials and groups, including providing and/or clearing material concerning controversial unit activities such as hazardous operations,costly acquisitions, and equal opportunity issues upon request by media representatives.
• Maintains an active web/social media presence, provides visual information services for documentation and/or publicity purposes and plans and arranges news media coverage.
• Evaluates the propriety and advisability of agency support of/ participation in local activities, programs, and events. For approved events, coordinates support requests from community and community groups, schools,news media organizations, and others to include requests for interviews, speakers, tours, bands,honor guards, and aviation support and support of local observances and celebrations.
• Researches, drafts, coordinates, produces, and reviews public affairs products such as, web-based content, photographs, videos, news and feature articles, news releases, talking points, fact sheets, briefings, speeches and scripts, newsletters, and other materials.
• Modifies standard methods and adapts approaches in developing new information materials aimed at enhancing the understanding of groups or individuals of significant issues concerning agency programs.
• Identifies potential problems or areas of friction and advises management officials concerning the causes of the problems and suggested methods for resolving them.
• Confers with program specialists, action officers, and other subject matter experts to obtain the latest and most accurate information and imagery approved for public release.
• Maintains effective working relationships with officials of various senior wing leadership, civic,news media, community groups, Department of Defense personnel, as well as local, state and national government officials, and the general public.
• Attends meetings and maintains professional contacts.
• Explains public affairs policies and procedures and resolves most problems that arise.
• Determines appropriate recommendations for unresolved issues and performs follow up.
• Maintains effective relationships with DoD personnel, National, State and local officials, to include their respective State PAOs.
• Manages audio visual equipment for section.
• Appointed as the Wing Visual Information Manager per current DoD directives.
• Stays abreast of current visual information methodology and technological developments.
• Manages budget and procures new equipment and supplies.
• Plans,organizes, and carries out the visual information program.
• Provides photographic editing and processing, and video support, for alert missions to include mishaps.
• Designs, creates, and assembles materials for presentations, publications,and exhibits.
• Selects visual materials such as, photographs and graphics used in the communication of information.
• Designs the placement and appearance of visual materials; designs the placement of text in relation to art; decides type styles and typographical effects; and, plans effective use of color schemes, textures, and shapes in consideration of technical constraints to particular communication methods for example, printed distribution, exhibit, or oral presentation.
• Tailors products to best suit various public forums.
• Provides guidance and acts as a liaison to visiting non-military organizational photo crews, to include public news media photographers, who request to conduct photography activities.
• Creates new, adapts, or modifies accepted communication campaign formats to reach a target audience with a specific message.
• The selection of a communication campaign format is based on an analysis of targeted audience demographics and message content.
• After an informational campaign has been implemented, solicited and unsolicited response data is gathered to assess campaign effectiveness in reaching the target audience.
• Other duties as assigned.(temporary, minor, or incidental tasks)

Requirements

Conditions of employment

MILITARY REQUIREMENTS :

Military Grades: E6 - E-8/TSgt - SMSgt

Desired Military Assignments: 3NXXX

- Applicants need not be assigned to the position or possess the AFSC to apply or be considered for selection. Selected applicant must be assigned to a compatible Military position and attain AFSC within 1 year of appointment action.

- May be required to successfully complete a trial period.

- Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.

- Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.

- Must maintain membership in the WA Air National Guard for continued employment.

- Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position within one year of appointment.

- Selectee is required to complete SE1-260 requirements within six months of employment. Selectee must complete the DoD Public Affairs Qualification Course within two years of employment; or, for on-board personnel, complete the course within two years from the appointment date to this position description.

- For positions requiring the operation of motor vehicles, candidates must have a valid state driver's license for the state in which they live or are principally employed.

Qualifications

GENERAL EXPERIENCE :
Experience, education or training in administrative, professional, investigative and/or technical work. Experience evaluating information and/or using analytical skills to disseminate effective communication. Experience in compiling reports, letters, memoranda, etc., and required person-to-person contacts to convey information. Experience using computers and automation systems.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE :
Must have at least 36 months experience, education, or training involving a thorough knowledge of writing and communication principles, methods and techniques that relate to public affairs of the military. Experience developing new information materials including news releases, fact sheets, brochures, booklets, broadcast spots, etc., that increase communication with the agency's audiences. Experience making on-the-spot presentations to audiences with opposing points of view or erroneous understanding of agency positions. Experience responding timely and appropriately to requests for information concerning agency programs and services.

-or-

1 year equivalent to at least GS-9

***Note: To qualify under the one-year Specialized Experience (SE) provision (when stated in the SE section), you must provide either:
Two SF-50s (or equivalent) showing you were in the same occupational series at the next lower grade for at least one full year. The two SF-50s must span that full one-year period, from the older SF-50 to the newer SF-50 and reflect employment with the same federal agency.
-or-
One SF-50 (or equivalent) if your resume shows at least one year of continuous employment in the position reflected on the SF-50 (or equivalent).

Education

Education Requirements:
High School Diploma or GED

Degree Required:N/A

Degree Required to qualify with Education Only (No Specialized Experience):

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
or
3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree
or
LL.M., if related

You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims. To receive credit for Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Education requirements for this position.

If you are selected for a vacancy that requires a specific degree and/or coursework you will be required to provide official transcripts prior to appointment.

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at GS-11.

Additional information

- Certain incentive(s) may be available pending funding and approval but are not guaranteed.

- If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency ( ).

- Military Technicians are ineligible for enlistment, retention, and student loan repayment bonuses. Acceptance of a Technician position will terminate these incentives.

- Military Technicians in the excepted service will wear the appropriate uniform while performing as a Technician.

- Veteran's preference does not apply to National Guard Technician positions in accordance with Title 32 USC 709 (f).

- May be required to successfully complete a trial period.

REEMPLOYED ANNUITANT : In accordance with Section 9902(g) of Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), annuitants reemployed in the DoD will receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They will not be eligible for retirement contributions, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, or a supplemental or redetermined annuity for the reemployment period. Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e., retired in accordance with Section 8336(d)(1) or Section8414(b)(1)(A) of Title 5, U.S.C.) appointed to the DoD may elect to be subject to retirement provisions of the new appointment as appropriate.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY :
The WA National Guard is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

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