Public Affairs Specialist

HQ USAF and Support Elements; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

HQ USAF and Support Elements seeks a Senior Public Affairs Specialist to support Air Staff, FOA, MAJCOM, or DRU level public affairs programs, coordinating and evaluating broad public affairs and visual information initiatives.

Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 level or equivalent, with TIG requirements for General Schedule positions. Strong oral, written, and visual communication skills and project management abilities are essential.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of oral, written and visual communication concepts, principles, policies, practices, methods and trends.
• Knowledge of DoD and Air Force organizations and operations.
• Ability to evaluate program effectiveness and prepare reports on objectives.
• Skill in gathering, evaluating conflicting data and making recommendations.
• Experience in planning and managing short- and long-term projects.
• Ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy to explain programs.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Visual communication

Public affairs knowledge

Project management

Diplomacy and tact

Job description

The primary purpose of this position is 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.

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 knowledge of oral, written and visual communication concepts, principles, policies, practices, methods and trends applicable to coordinating, guiding and evaluating broad public affairs and visual information programs; develop new approaches to extremely difficult issues and prioritizing requirements, strategies and assets to perform the mission.

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:

• 1. 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.
• 2. 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.
• 3. Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting conflicting data, considering various points of view, to arrive at valid conclusions and offer meaningful recommendations.
• 4. Skill in planning and independently managing short- and long-term projects and to cultivate and sustain positive working relationships to project completion.
• 5. Ability to evaluate and assess program effectiveness and prepare reports on accomplishment of program objectives.
• 6. 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.