SUPERVISORY PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

US Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency; Quantico (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

US Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency in Quantico, VA, seeks a Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist to lead public affairs programs and coordinate PA campaigns for external and internal audiences.

The successful candidate will develop press materials, lead communications strategies across print, digital, and social media, and advise leadership on messaging aligned with national security objectives. Federal experience and knowledge of OPM standards are required.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience in developing and advising on strategic communications plans.
• Experience using print, electronic media to convey agency missions.
• Ability to plan and implement comprehensive public affairs campaigns.
• Experience drafting press releases, talking points, speeches.
• Judgment in interpreting guidelines without precedents.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee strategic public affairs campaigns.
• Prepare press materials and communications to internal and external audiences.
• Coordinate use of media across channels including websites, social media.
• Advise leadership on communications priorities.
• Lead, mentor, and oversee staff in public affairs.

Skills

Strategic communications

Public affairs leadership

Media relations

Policy communication

Oral and written communication

Job description

The Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist Public supports the Office of Communications and provides a full range of services in support of the communications mission and business objectives with employees and external audiences. The selectee will leverage the full suite of public affairs tools to includes press releases, public affairs guidance, websites, social media, etc. in planning, initiating and implementing comprehensive PA campaigns to enhance the understanding of DCSA. The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1000/public-affairs-series-1035/ for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 10/05/2026

Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position.

You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to next lower grade GS/GG-13 in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility.

Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience.

Specialized experience for this position includes:

1. Developing, overseeing and advising on the implementation of comprehensive strategic and operational communications plans that identifies goals, programs, and activities to inform and educate all external and internal stakeholders using written, oral and visual media;
2. Utilizing a variety of communications techniques and methods-including both print and electronic media to convey the agency's missions and its role across the federal government and in the national defense;
3. Planning, initiating and implementing comprehensive public affairs campaigns to include implementing public affairs tactics, techniques, and procedures to support and amplify priorities, missions, and organizational objectives;
4. Developing press releases, fact sheets, talking points, speeches, employee communications, feature articles, and other materials that effectively communicates goals to a variety of external and internal audiences;
5. Exercising a high degree of originality and judgment in interpreting guides where there are no precedents or guidelines on which to base or predict expected results.

Specifically you will be evaluated on the following competencies

1. Communications and Media - Knowledge of the production, communication and dissemination of information and ideas to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
2. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
3. External Awareness - Identifies and understands economic, political, and social trends that affect the organization.
4. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
5. Leadership: Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.
6. Decision Making - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
7. Strategic Thinking - Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization in a global environment that takes into consideration the environment, resources, capabilities, constraints, and organization goals and values. Capitalizes on opportunities and manages risks and contingencies, recognizing the implications for the organization and stakeholders.
8. Planning and Evaluating - Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.
9. Creativity and Innovation - Develops new insights into situations; questions conventional approaches; encourages new ideas and innovations; designs and implements new or cutting edge programs/processes.
10. Team Building - Inspires and fosters team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust. Facilitates cooperation and motivates team members to accomplish group goals.