Public Affairs Specialist (Social Media)

Defense Media Activity•Arlington, VA

About The Position

This position is part of the War Media Agency and provides high-quality social media products and services to inform, educate, and entertain Department of War audiences worldwide. The team manages Department-wide social media accounts and serves as an incubator for new communication tools and technologies. The incumbent serves as a senior public affairs specialist and principal authority on social media strategies, working with the Office of the Secretary of War (Public Affairs) to develop and implement digital communication plans and campaigns. The role plans and coordinates information dissemination through official social media channels, develops editorial calendars, and creates, assigns, curates, edits, and publishes written and multimedia content. The specialist coordinates with departmental and public affairs stakeholders to maintain consistent messaging and integrates social media into broader communication programs. The position researches audience preferences, segmentation, and public sentiment; analyzes social media metrics to assess communication effectiveness; prepares progress reports; and advises management on messaging and coverage. It also evaluates emerging trends, technologies, and outreach practices, implements tools that support public affairs objectives, addresses adoption barriers, and shares lessons learned and best practices across government components and agencies.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Must meet applicable Selective Service requirements if born after December 31, 1959.
Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
Must qualify for and use a government travel card for official travel.
Must pass pre-employment drug screening and may be subject to periodic or random testing thereafter.
Must complete one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or equivalent in another pay system, including experience developing and executing communication plans and digital media campaigns; managing organizational social media channels and content; analyzing metrics, audience patterns, and public sentiment; evaluating communication tools and technologies; and coordinating consistent messaging with senior officials and stakeholders.
Education may not substitute for specialized experience at this grade level.
Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements, including 52 weeks at the next lower grade level.
Applicants advancing to interview must complete a practical application exercise, scored as part of the overall interview score.
May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior public affairs specialist and principal authority on social media strategies.
Develop and implement digital communication plans and campaigns with the Office of the Secretary of War (Public Affairs).
Plan and coordinate information dissemination through official social media channels, including Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram.
Develop editorial calendars and create, assign, curate, edit, and publish written and multimedia content.
Coordinate with the Office of the Secretary of War, Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Military Services, and other public affairs stakeholders to develop consistent themes and messages supporting leadership priorities.
Integrate social media tactics into comprehensive communication programs, including radio, television, and print, and coordinate news and information coverage diplomatically.
Research audience preferences, segmentation, and public sentiment; capture and analyze social media metrics to assess communication effectiveness.
Prepare progress reports and advise management on changes to messaging, emphasis, and coverage, including whether efforts should be expanded or discontinued.
Evaluate emerging trends, technologies, and outreach practices to identify communication opportunities and implement tools supporting Department of War public affairs objectives.
Address barriers to adoption and share lessons learned, analytics, and best practices across departmental components, Military Services, and other government agencies.