Public Affairs Specialist (NH-1035-03) 412TW/PA

Air Force Test Center; Edwards Air Force Base (CA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

The Air Force Test Center at Edwards AFB seeks a Full-Time Public Affairs Specialist (Community and Legislative Engagement) to serve as the primary liaison with state and federal delegations and manage congressional inquiries. You will coordinate visits, draft briefing materials, and represent the base at community events in support of Air Force missions.

The role requires strong writing, policy understanding, and ability to communicate complex defense topics clearly to officials.

Qualifications

• Graduate of the Defense Information School (DINFOS) Public Affairs and Communication Strategy Qualification Course.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with federal, state, and local elected officials and civic leaders to articulate military, civilian, workforce, and community quality-of-life initiatives.
• Knowledge of legislative processes and expert-level management of congressional inquiries (researching, synthesizing, and drafting responses).
• Experience in planning, prioritizing and executing high-level congressional and staff delegation visits, including itinerary coordination.
• Ability to translate complex developmental testing and base support issues into clear briefing products for officials.

Responsibilities

• Serves as primary community and legislative contact and spokesperson on Edwards AFB.
• Represent the base at community events and meetings.
• Provide timely responses to queries; research and coordinate responses for currency and accuracy.
• Arrange base support, including speakers, honor guard, flyovers and displays; prepare materials; monitor and follow up.
• Arrange installation visits, prepare itineraries, coordinate with base agencies and provide escorts.

Skills

DINFOS graduate

Government liaison

Legislative processes

Delegation visits

Briefing materials

Job description

These listed job announcements are covered by Direct Hire Authorities (DHA), which are separate from the traditional recruitment job announcements found on USA Jobs. For more information on DHA, click the Air Force Civilian Service image linkon the right side of the page (or scroll to the bottom of your mobile device) and click “Find a Job.” You can also click the USA Jobs image linkto view additional job announcements. For further assistance, please contact AFTC Enterprise Recruitment at [e-mail] .

NO 6-MONTH WAIT! Recently retired and/or retiring from MILITARY service ARE eligible for immediate appointment for AFTC positions. The 180-day waiting period has been waived for AFTC to hire recently retired and/or retiring service members.

The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Public Affairs Specialist (Community and Legislative Engagement) (NH-1035-03) to work at the 412 Test Wing, Wing Staff Agencies, Public Affairs Office(412TW/PA)atEdwardsAirForceBase.

In this position you will serve as the liaison with state/federal delegations to ensure transparent communication and familiarity with test needs and objectives, workforce recruiting/retention challenges and quality-of-life issues; manage Congressional inquiries.

Announcement Closes: 11/12/2026

Typical 2026 salary range: $104,349 - $161,313 per year (includes locality)“If your current basic salary is within the band, but above the stated VOP, your basic salary will not be reduced if you are selected for the position.”

Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel possible

Desired Skills:

• Graduate of the Defense Information School (DINFOS) Public Affairs and Communication Strategy Qualification Course.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with federal, state, and local elected officials and civic leaders to effectively articulate military, civilian, workforce, and community quality-of-life initiatives.
• Knowledge of legislative processes and expert-level management of congressional inquiries (including researching, synthesizing, and drafting timely, accurate executive responses aligned with Air Force guidance).
• Experience in planning, prioritizing and executing high-level congressional and staff delegation visits, including itinerary coordination and protocol collaboration.
• Ability to translate complex developmental testing and dynamic base support issues into clear, persuasive briefing products for elected officials and key decision-makers.

Major Duties:

• Serves as primary community and legislative contact and spokesperson on Edwards AFB.
• Represent the base at various community events and meetings.
• Provide timely responses to queries; research, and coordinate responses to ensure the currency and accuracy of responses.
• Arrange base support, including speakers, honor guard, flyovers and static displays; prepare base employees prior to such support; monitor support when necessary; provide follow-up materials; and monitor finished product.
• Arrange visits to the installation, prepare itineraries, coordinate visits with proper base agencies and provide escorts, including flightline escorts.
• Initiate and maintain frequent contact with local community leaders and groups to keep them informed about the programs and activities of the 412th Test Wing.
• Plan and develop communication programs designed to highlight the wing's contribution to the Air Force mission and overall defense of the United States.
• Write news releases, articles for the base web site, fact sheets and other printed and digital products regarding base programs, activities and people using journalistic style
• Perform other Public Affairs duties, including required additional duties.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• Incumbent will be subject to recall to duty and having to perform other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• The incumbent must be available to support operations in an exercise or contingency situation. May be required to work irregular shifts or overtime.
• May be required to work at locations other than 412 TW Public Affairs office for similar reasons.
• Knowledge of communication theory, public affairs principles, and the practices used to implement them.
• Ability to apply accepted English and journalistic standards to convey complex information to audiences with different levels of understanding.
• Knowledge and general understanding of Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Test Center, 412 Test Wing, media, and community programs, and policies related to public affairs programs.
• Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting data to identify potential problems, arrive at valid conclusions, and offer meaningful recommendations, and/or resolutions.
• Skill in working with people to maintain effective working relationships with groups interested in, or affected by, public affairs programs or policies.
• Skill in organization – – ability to plan programs, prioritize tasks of varying degrees of complexity, and complete them under a deadline.
• Skill at typing, word processing, and other basic office software programs.
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• Incumbent will be subject to recall to duty and having to perform other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• The incumbent must be available to support operations in an exercise or contingency situation. May be required to work irregular shifts or overtime.
• May be required to work at locations other than 412 TW Public Affairs office for similar reasons.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Resumes limited to two pages. Federal agencies now only accept resumes up to two pages in length.

Learn more about the new resume requirements at:

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Classification & Qualifications for Federal Government Employees:

ADHERENCE TO APPLICABLE HAF/AFMC/AFTC STRATEGIC HIRING GUIDANCE IS REQUIRED