Public Affairs Specialist

Transportation Security Administration; Phoenix (AZ); Remote; USD 107,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Thrift Savings Plan

Flexible Spending Account

Employee Assistance Program

paid federal holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Transportation subsidies

Uniform allowance

Health and wellness programs

Fitness centers

Job summary

Transportation Security Administration in the United States seeks a Public Affairs Specialist to advise on strategic communications and manage portfolios. You will develop multimedia, digital, and public-facing products advancing agency priorities.

The role supports internal and external communications for SCPA programs, advising leadership and building media relationships to respond to policy and issue-driven scenarios. Telework eligibility is noted.

Qualifications

• Requires submission of transcripts or an itemized list of college courses from an accredited college or university, including course title, hours, and grade/degree earned.
• If selected, the applicant must provide a transcript or certification of degree.

Responsibilities

• Plans and executes internal and external communications activities for assigned programs and functional areas.
• Develops communications, outreach, and promotional materials explaining complex issues to diverse audiences.
• Advises leadership on potential media and public reactions to proposed policies and initiatives.
• Establishes relationships with local, national, and international media and responds to communications issues affecting SCPA.
• Develops and implements short- and long-term communications strategies to promote understanding among media, industry stakeholders, other agencies, Congress, and the public.
• Prepares messages, plans, outreach products, and implementation approaches using various channels.
• Identifies and assesses controversial issues with national or international impact and recommends responses.
• Leads or participates in projects involving policy-sensitive or confidential matters, ensuring alignment with policy and objectives.

Job description

• Hiring Agency: Transportation Security Administration
• Department: Department of Homeland Security

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a key advisor on strategic communications initiatives and manage assigned communications portfolios. You will support the development and execution of multimedia, digital, and public-facing communication products that advance organizational priorities.

Key Responsibilities

This Public Affairs Specialist position is located in Strategic Communications & Public Affairs, Public Affairs Division, Media Relations Branch, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Duties include but are not limited to: Plans and executes internal and external communications activities for assigned SCPA programs and functional areas.

Develops communications, outreach, and promotional materials that explain complex, high-visibility, and potentially controversial issues to a range of audiences. Conducts research on program responsibilities, activities, policies, and emerging issues to support national communications campaigns. Advises leadership and program officials on potential media and public reactions to proposed policies, programs, and initiatives.

Establishes and maintains productive relationships with local, national, and international media representatives and responds to communications issues affecting SCPA. Develops and implements short- and long-term communications strategies to promote public understanding of SCPA programs and activities among the media, industry stakeholders, other Federal agencies, Congress, the general public, and internal audiences.

Prepares key messages, communication plans, outreach products, and implementation approaches using a variety of communications channels. Identifies and assesses potentially controversial issues with national or international impact and recommends appropriate communications responses. Leads or participates in special projects involving policy-sensitive or confidential matters, ensuring communications activities are consistent with SCPA policy and organizational objectives.

Manages strategic communication portfolios; to include regular information gathering, tracking of SCPA support requests, and evaluation of effectiveness. Provides strategic communications and public affairs subject matter expertise concerning agency programs, developments, and policies. Provides advice and counsel to senior leadership on strategic communications, audience outreach, and engagement opportunities as they relate to the TSA mission and goals.

Conducts extensive research, develops plans, and contributes to the implementation of a variety of Public Affairs projects and programs; utilizes metrics to track the progress of projects and developing reports of findings to management and other TSA entities.

Consults and advises executive level program managers regarding their communication needs and advises headquarters senior program managers and field leadership on how to build stronger communication products and systems for delivering products.

Requirements & Education

For positions requiring positive education requirements, or if you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses from an accredited college or university, which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume.

The information must be provided with the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, the applicant must supply a transcript or certification of degree.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including:

• health, dental, vision, life, long-term care insurance
• retirement plan
• Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• personal leave days
• and paid federal holidays

Other benefits may include

• flexible work schedules
• situational telework may be permitted in accordance with departmental policy telework
• tuition reimbursement
• transportation subsidies
• uniform allowance
• health and wellness programs
• fitness centers

DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities.

For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Employees who transfer to TSA from an agency that allows employees to maintain an annual leave balance higher than the maximum accumulation for the appointed position will have their leave ceiling set to the maximum accumulation for the appointed position (e.g., United States duty location - 240 hours, foreign duty location - 360 hours, or TSES position - 720 hours). TSA will not make a monetary payment for any leave forfeited under these circumstances.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $107446 – $139684/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Secret security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-26.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Excepted' hiring path.