Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to to serve as a senior Public Affairs Specialist in an Air Staff, Field Operating Agency (FOA), Major Command (MAJCOM), or Direct Reporting Unit (DRU) level Public Affairs office. Provides public affairs advice, authority, technical expertise, and management support to leadership.

Duties

As a senior Public Affairs Specialist for the organization; plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates a major public affairs function with Air Force-wide applicability, ensuring public affairs activities comply with legal and regulatory requirements and meet customer needs. Responds to, or leads initiative to respond to information requests on the organization's program from the news media and specialized and general publics, to include all levels of the Air Force, local, state, and federal elected officials and special interest groups, community, and civic organizations. Manages wide-ranging programs, special projects, and initiatives with responsibility for researching, planning, executing, and evaluating complex public affairs operations, programs, policies, and strategies of significant importance and which affect functional areas and multiple organizational levels. Represents the organization with a variety of councils, boards, working groups, and panels inside and outside the agency, including Headquarters Air Force, DoD (Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, unified combatant command and sister services), and other governmental, nongovernmental, public, civic, service, industry, business, educational, entertainment, think tank, and media organizations. Serves as the senior adviser in the assigned area of responsibility.

Requirements

• Must complete initial online questionnaire and additional assessment(s)
• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• 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/
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
• Advance in hire is 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
• Leave accrual is authorized upon request
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on civilian or military aircraft
• May be required to be on call and/or to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays
• Employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance
• This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. Employee must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing
• This is a Centrally Managed Position in the 1035 Series, Public Affairs. DNRP is authorized

Qualifications

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, and Administrative and Management Positions. Public Affairs Series. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes mastery of communication principles, methods, practices, and techniques; analytical methods that enables the incumbent to serve as the technical authority on specific matters within the organization; and skill in applying these principles and methods in managing a public affairs program involving media relations, civic outreach, planning and execution of nationally prominent events, internal information, visual information, communication planning / research / analysis, standardization and evaluation, emerging technology/social media, security and policy review, public affairs resource management, or contingency planning and operations. Knowledge and skill to analyze public reaction to Air Force programs and policies in developing recommendations that significantly modify major organization programs or policies, and integrating diverse points of view in a communication plan in establishing and maintaining mutual understanding with various agency publics. 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-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 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: Extensive knowledge of a full range of oral, written and visual communication concepts, principles, policies, practices, methods, applications, techniques, standards, and trends applicable to researching, planning, developing, coordinating, guiding, and evaluating broad public affairs and visual information programs; to develop new approaches to extremely difficult issues; and prioritizing requirements, strategies, and assets to perform the mission. In-depth knowledge of the missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, relationships, and operational planning objectives of Air Force and DoD organizations; as well as knowledge of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to evaluate public reaction to agency programs and policies. Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting conflicting data, considering various points of view, to arrive at valid conclusions and offer meaningful recommendations. Skill in planning and independently managing short- and long-term projects and to cultivate and sustain positive working relationships to project completion. Ability to evaluate and assess program effectiveness and prepare reports on accomplishment of program objectives. Ability to communicate effectively with tact and diplomacy, to advocate agency positions, to logically and effectively explain programs, functions, and activities and gain understanding of the organization's efforts by concerned publics. 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

********************ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ACTIVE DUTY SERVICES MEMBERS********************

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD-Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD-Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:

• Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
• Branch of Armed Forces
• Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
• Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
• Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
• Expected character of service (honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
• Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
• Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.

Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form-214 must be submitted upon receipt

Contacts

• Address HQ USAF and Support Elements - Pentagon 1720 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330 US
• Name: Total Force Service Center
• Phone: 1-800-525-0102
• Email: [email protected]