Public Affairs Specialist

U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 46,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command seeks a Public Affairs Specialist to draft, edit, and publish communications materials.

The role includes handling final copy, coordinating content for websites and social media, and producing publications with desktop publishing tools. Responsibilities also cover taking and editing photographs for use in various publications, ensuring accuracy, and supporting public affairs initiatives in a DHA hiring framework.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience includes writing final copy for publication, editing material before release, and uploading accurate content to websites/social media.
• Experience with layout and design using desktop publishing tools.
• Education options include Master's degree or 2 years of graduate study in relevant fields.
• Foreign education may count if appropriately evaluated.

Responsibilities

• Write and edit final copy for news stories, speeches, and publications.
• Publish and disseminate content on websites and social media.
• Prepare and layout materials using desktop publishing tools.
• Photograph and edit images for use in publications.

Skills

Writing

Copy-editing

Content publishing

Photography

Education

Master's degree in Journalism or Public Affairs

Tools

Desktop publishing tools

Job description

• Hiring Agency: U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Shortage and Critical Need to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. This will be a full‑time permanent position.

Key Responsibilities

As a Public Affairs Specialist, you will:

Requirements & Education

CONTINUATION OF QUALIFICATIONS: GS-09 Qualifications: Specialized Experience: To qualify based on your experience, your resume must clearly describe at least one year of specialized experience which prepared you to do the work in this job.

Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled including: Writing final copy documents (such as news stories, feature articles, speeches, biographies, other communication products) for publication; Copy-editing/approving written material for others before publication/release; Uploading accurate/factual content to websites/social media sites to disseminate information to users; Utilizing desktop publishing tools to layout and design publications; Taking and editing photographs for use in various types of publications.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07). OR Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify.

For this job, you may qualify if your education meets the definitions below: 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, Public Affairs, Communication, Media, Writing, Rhetoric, English, History, Literature or Marketing.

(Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.) 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. They should equal 100.

EDUCATION: 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ In order to qualify for this position, based on your education, education substitution, or combination of education and experience, you must have either completed the education requirement, or will complete this requirement within thirty (30) days from the closing date of this announcement.

If you will not complete this requirement within thirty (30) days of the closing date of this announcement, you will be rated as Not Qualified for this position. You must provide appropriate documentation to reflect when you will meet the education requirement.

Appropriate documentation includes: (1) Resume indicating your projected completion/graduation date; OR (2) Transcripts indicating your projected completion/graduation date; OR (3) A letter signed by the institution's registrar indicating your projected completion/graduation date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command, Department of Defense.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $45538 – $89703/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-19.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.