THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION. This National Guard position is for a Public Affairs Specialist, Position Description Number T5409000 and is part of the Public Affairs Office of the Vermont Army National Guard. The primary purpose of the position is to collect, assemble, prepare and disseminate information concerning the various activities of the state's National Guard.

Duties

1. Develops news releases and feature articles describing Guard sponsored activities or events, presentation ceremonies, etc. Distributes these to local and national print and broadcast media representatives. Responds orally and in writing to requests for information from Guard members, member associations, external audiences or special interest groups. Determines the sensitivity of data requested and if data is determined to be sensitive or controversial. Coordinates data release with a senior Public Affairs (PA) Specialist. 2. Evaluates local media programming on NG events, activities or communication campaigns to identify potential public relation issues with message content or format. Once identified, advises management on potential causes of the problem and forwards suggestions for resolving them. Gathers data on public reaction to communication campaigns for analyses and evaluation. When the evaluation is completed, draws the appropriate conclusions and from these develops and submits recommendations to the PAO for improving the campaign's appeal to the general public or target audience. Prepares and disseminates news releases and feature articles to the media for print. Selects and incorporates photographs, film footage, etc., into the release or article to visually enhance the message with viewers. 3. Consults with the pertinent program specialist to obtain the latest information for use in news releases, radio spots, print articles, meetings and electronic broadcasts. Develops semi-technical written materials to educate a specific audience on the nature and purpose of the NG's programs, policies and practices. Develops positive working relationships with state and local government personnel, community or special interest groups or individuals desiring input on state level NG policy, practices or programs. Preforms other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program.
• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Incumbents of this job are issued a Department of Defense Common Access Card (CAC), which issued only upon passing a federal background check (Tier 1) including a finger-print supported criminal record check.
• 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.

Qualifications

OPEN AREAS OF CONSIDERATION: AREA 1, 2, 3, 4 Area I: Current On-board Title 5 or Title 32 Dual Status Technicians (Tenure: 1-Career, 2-Conditional, 3-Indefinite or 4-Term ) - Only those current Vermont National Guard employees who are in permanent, indefinite, or term technician status as result of being competitively hired by the Vermont National Guard. Area II: All current Federal Employees from any agency. Area III: All current and former members of the VTNG. Area IV: United States citizens. * Veterans' Preference Rules are mandated by law and some applicants may receive priority consideration before other applicants without veterans' preference. Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-07). An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement. Specialized Experience GS-09: You must have 1 (year) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade, GS-07, in the Federal service in the normal line of progression for the occupation, PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST. Examples of specialized experience include, Develops news releases and feature articles describing Guard sponsored activities or events, presentation ceremonies, etc.; Evaluates local media programming on NG events, activities or communication campaigns to identify potential public relation issues with message content or format; Consults with the pertinent program specialists to obtain the latest information for use in news releases, radio spots, print articles, meetings and electronic broadcasts, etc. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07). OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or Marketing. 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) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. Then divide your semester hours of graduate education beyond two years by 18. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. (Note: You must attach a copy of your official transcripts.) Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Knowledge of written and oral communication principals and techniques, interpersonal relations practices and analytical evaluative methods which are applied to a variety of standardized or recurring PA program or communication campaign projects or assignments. Knowledge of communication campaign development practices, processes, or procedures and oral, written and interpersonal communication skills to reach a variety of audiences under cooperative conditions. Knowledge of broadcast media production. Experience in and/or knowledge of photo and video production. Skill in writing news releases and feature articles for dissemination through print media. Skill in effectively interacting with news media representatives. 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. Please be advised: 1. Specialized experience will be used to determine qualifications for the announced position. 2. An applicant's RESUME must provide, in detail, how they meet the specialized experience listed. 3. It must be documented with "from (mm/yy)" and "to (mm/yy)" dates and description of the specialized experience. 4. If education or a degree is required as part of the "Specialized Experience", you must include transcripts. Do not copy the specialized experience qualifications word for word and place into your resume; you must describe your personal experience as it pertains to each statement.

Education

If you are using Education to qualify for this position, Applicants may also qualify on the basis of education as follows: To qualify based on education for the GS-09 level, you must have a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or Marketing.

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) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. (Note: You must attach a copy of your official transcripts.)

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address Vermont Army National Guard Command 789 Vermont National Guard Road, GMA Colchester, VT 05446 US
• Name: Nathan Brimmer
• Phone: (802)338-3634
• Email: [email protected]