THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION. This National Guard position is for a PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST (Title 5), Position Description Number T5168000 and is part of the OK JFHQ, Oklahoma Army National Guard.

Duties

This position is located in State Headquarters. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the Public Affairs Specialist responsible for all Army and Air National Guard public, community and media relations programs within the state. Plans, develops, implements, and evaluates the state Public Affairs (PA) program. Through media and audience analysis, determines PA program needs and organizational direction to achieve National Guard PA goals. Formulates long-range plans, and develops policies to enhance public understanding, support, and acceptance of National Guard (NG) programs and/or activities statewide. Advises the Adjutant General and program managers on sensitive or controversial PA matters. Develops and writes information materials designed to reach audiences through various media such as wire service, radio, television, and newspaper. Prepares materials specifically to explain or describe NG missions, requirements, capabilities, accomplishments, policies and programs. Written materials include news releases, radio spot and television announcements, fact sheets, feature stories, background statements, special reports, etc. Establishes and implements short- and long-range plans for print and electronic media programs. Coordinates, supervises, and evaluates media servicing activities. Targets and services statewide media markets with print, photographic and electronic materials in support of publicizing the National Guard story. Responds to media requests for information of both a routine and controversial nature. Prepares or assembles information kits: edits and rewrites informational material; releases photographs and/or feature stories to news media; studies current issues, coordinates news interviews, and prepares questions to be addressed: arranges photographic and electronic media coverage of newsworthy events involving the National Guard: ensures maintenance of unclassified photo library of appropriate material for news releases; and coordinates public affairs airlift and orientation flights for media representatives. Advises and assists Unit Public Affairs Representatives (UPARs) and/or other personnel assigned public affairs responsibilities. Develops directives, furnishes policy/procedures, and evaluates subordinate level program effectiveness. Designs, coordinates, and conducts educational and training programs to ensure UPAR knowledge of functional PA programs and activities. Analyzes UPAR performance and/or programs to evaluate and increase effectiveness in achieving overall PA objectives. As PA representative for the state Adjutant General, establishes and maintains close working relationships with officials of various civic, media, veterans, and community groups, as well as state government officials outside the National Guard. Expands the base of public support through such relationships, and promotes the interests of NG programs, which may be at odds with interests of respective groups. Assists the ARNG State Recruiting and Retention Manager and ANG Senior Recruiter by providing media placement and print and electronic media support; developing public service announcements; and supporting recruiting drives and special events.

Requirements

• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• The incumbent of this position description must have at a minimum, a completed National Agency Check (NAC) prior to position assignment.
• Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day.
• The employee may be required to travel in military and/or commercial vehicles to perform temporary duty assignments.
• The work may require the employee to drive a motor vehicle and if so, an appropriate valid driver’s license is required.
• This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration.
• This designation will not exceed 14 calendar days per year unless otherwise approved in advance by the TAG.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicant mustpossess at least ONE Year of work experience in the GS-1035-11 series and grade level or equivalent in a different pay system. 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. Must have knowledge applicable to a wide range of duties involving oral and written communication principles, practices, techniques, and methods; analytical methods; and interpersonal relations practices. Skill in applying knowledge in the modification of standard methods and the adaptation of approaches in developing new information materials to enhance understanding and support of National Guard programs and/or significant issues. Skill in identifying the information needs of various audiences and the most effective methods of assessing their reactions to information provided. Skills facilitating evaluation of information program effectiveness. Skill in developing new information materials to include, news releases, internal publications, fact sheets, and radio and television broadcast spots. Skill sufficient for developing Unit Public Affairs Representative (UPAR's) PA training materials, statewide PA policies, programs, and procedures, and for overseeing training and evaluating the PA activities of IJPAR's. Skill sufficient to provide print and broadcast media, trade associations, veteran's organizations, and National Guard associations with timely and accurate explanations of agency policies and activities. Knowledge and skill sufficient for determining appropriate information for internal/external publics, respectively, and for using discretion in releasing controversial material. Skill in developing and maintaining effective relationships with media representatives, unit assigned public affairs personnel and various external groups, to establish and enhance intercommunication between the National Guard and its audiences utilizing media.

Education

There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position.

Contacts

• Address OK JFHQ 3501 MILITARY CIRCLE OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73111-4305 US
• Name: James Wagoner
• Phone: (405) 228-5581
• Email: [email protected]