Public Affairs Specialist-Senior (Colorado)

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)•Aurora, SD

9d•$118,675 - $182,316•Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as a Public Affairs Specialist in the Office of Strategic Communications (OSC) at the Aerospace Data Facility Colorado (ADF-C) on Buckley Space Force Base. OSC is aligned with the Office of Congressional & Public Affairs (OCPA) within the Business Plans and Operations (BPO) directorate at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The incumbent will support the Director of OSC in leading a small team of contractors to execute three programs – 1. Internal Engagement/Strategic Communications 2. Public Engagement/Public Affairs/Community Outreach 3. External Engagement/ADF-C Joint Visit Bureau. This position is crucial to providing management and leadership continuity, government oversight, and focused support to ADF-C mission operations. Success in this position relies upon strong collaborative and integrated partnerships among customers in a joint Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of War (DoW) environment. Considerable knowledge of a variety of communications strategies, techniques, and dissemination methods; sound communication skills; and knowledge and experience within the public affairs tradecraft is required. Using a variety of communication methods, the position develops media products that are disseminated to multiple audiences through various media. Position supports and oversees a joint organizational team of contractors, military, and government civilians. Additional responsibilities include being a Government Element Lead or Point of Contact supporting enterprise contracts at ADF-C. Furthermore, the incumbent will oversee the site’s robust visitor program, through the ADF-C Joint Visit Bureau. This duty involves clear understanding of protocol customs and courtesies for Distinguished Visitors (DV), overseeing the day-to-day visitor process, expertise in understanding and explaining mission operations through briefing materials and presentations, and orchestrating operations tours to educate and advocate the joint missions at ADF-C. DV criteria is defined as Presidential appointees, members of Congress, Congressional Oversight Committees and professional staff members, Agency Directors/Deputy Directors, General Officers, senior members of the IC or Federal Government (Senior Executive Service), Foreign National Dignitaries, and Senior-Level Industry Partners. The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for Non-Supervisor, Public Affairs Specialist, GG-14, occupational series 1035. More information on the occupational series can be viewed on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website. Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match. This is a full-time position that is open from 2026-07-30 to 2026-08-13. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on 2026-08-13.

Requirements

Considerable knowledge of the principles of public affairs/public relations and the role of the public affairs function in a government organization.
Expert written communication skills, including drafting complex, sensitive, and Congressional-level materials with appropriate tone, format, and technical terminology. Proficiency with AP Style Guide and content management systems (WordPress, SharePoint).
Excellent verbal communication and public speaking abilities, with capacity to tailor presentations and messaging for diverse audiences at all organizational levels.
Strong analytical, critical thinking, and strategic planning skills to identify requirements and develop effective solutions.
Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in fast-paced environments, managing competing priorities while building and sustaining professional networks with senior officials.
Understanding of NRO programs, missions, policies, and analytical techniques for program assessment; familiarity with IC/DoW organizations, intelligence satellite systems, and NRO management processes.
Proven ability to work with senior officials, to build and sustain professional networks in a diverse, fast-paced, multi-task environment, and to manage competing priorities.
Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
Experience in public affairs operations with full understanding of public affairs concepts, event planning, matrix management, and broad intelligence community interests and issues.
Demonstrated exceptional strong writing skills, including the ability to proofread, research, write articles, and often rewrite or extensively edit articles submitted by others.
Ability to manage competing priorities and work requirements by continuously evaluating the needs of the organization's mission against on-going work; planning/scheduling own and unit's work.
Working knowledge of the laws and regulations regarding the release of information.
Demonstrated ability to design and implement innovative communication strategies for initiatives and programs.
Ability to advise senior leadership on communication strategies, establish organizational standards, and evaluate outreach activities for NRO and ADF-C programs.
Ability to work with and lead teams of public affairs/multimedia/protocol specialists.
Working knowledge of protocol business practices.
Must be a U.S. Citizen
Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
Will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing
Will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations

Nice To Haves

Must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment.
If selected for a DAWIA coded position, the incumbent must meet appropriate certification requirements IAW the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) no later than 24 months after accepting this position. Individual shall maintain, at a minimum 80 Continuous Learning Points every 24 months via the services acquisition management system. DAWIA requirements may be located at the Defense Acquisition University website.

Responsibilities

Directs content strategy and production across all NRO platforms, including internal/external websites, social media, executive communications, Town Halls, news articles, and multimedia products.
Advises senior directorate leadership on strategic communications initiatives, including communications plans, community relations outreach, event marketing, and organizational messaging.
Provides expert guidance on military and government protocol, customs and courtesies, and precedence requirements. Develops executive-level materials including agendas, biographies, talking points, and briefing packages while ensuring compliance with logistical and security protocols.
Collaborates with creative teams to develop high-impact information products and branded materials that advance organizational objectives.
Drives innovation in communications programs through benchmarking, process improvement, and implementation of emerging tools and methodologies.
Builds and maintains strategic relationships with IC and DoW stakeholders, media representatives, community leaders, and policy groups to advance NRO and ADF-C mission awareness.
Using a variety of communication methods, the position develops strategic communication plans and media products that are disseminated to multiple audiences through various media.
Researches topics, conducting interviews, writing news, feature and explanatory articles for NRO publications, websites and blogs to facilitate understanding of the agency’s mission, goals, and strategies to the NRO workforce and other key audiences.
Serves as a communications consultant to NRO senior leadership to provide substantive advice and counsel on communications development.
Identifying opportunities for leadership to speak either virtually or in-person for events internally and externally across the IC and DoW.
Preparing read-ahead materials such as agendas, bios, and talking points.
Cultivating and maintaining productive working relationships with staff in other organizations in the IC, DoW, and, as appropriate, members of the media, community leaders, policy groups, and concerned constituencies to provide information about the NRO mission, programs, and activities.
Maintains strict compliance with classified information handling requirements per E.O. 13426.
Performs additional duties as assigned.