Public Affairs Specialist

Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command • Robins AFB, GA

3d

About The Position

The Public Affairs Specialist serves in an Air Staff, Field Operating Agency (FOA), Major Command (MAJCOM), or Direct Reporting Unit (DRU), providing public affairs advice, technical direction, and support to the organization and/or its field offices. The specialist conducts public affairs activities in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and in response to customer needs; communicates with news media, government officials, special-interest groups, and the public; and plans, executes, and evaluates complex public affairs operations, programs, and policies. The role represents the organization in councils and working groups inside and outside the agency and advises on matters within the assigned area of responsibility.

This federal position requires U.S. citizenship, the ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearance, and compliance with applicable Selective Service requirements for males. The work is primarily sedentary and typically takes place at a desk or in meetings, briefings, and news conferences, with occasional travel by automobile or public transportation. Applicants must meet the specialized-experience and, where applicable, federal time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. A one-year probationary period or two-year trial period may apply, depending on appointment type.

Requirements

• At least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-11 level or equivalent, applying advanced communication and analytical practices to complex public affairs problems.
• Experience developing and presenting information to audiences with varying levels of understanding, interests, and perspectives.
• Experience gathering and analyzing public reaction to information programs and recommending improvements to communication with the public and specialized groups.
• Experience developing information materials such as news releases, fact sheets, brochures, booklets, and broadcast spots.
• Experience providing media, trade association, and industry representatives with timely and accurate explanations of agency policies and regulations.
• For applicable merit promotion applicants, one year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the GS-12 time-in-grade requirement.
• Knowledge of oral, written, and visual communications, analytical methods, and interpersonal relations applicable to developing and evaluating information materials and programs.
• Knowledge of Air Force and Department of Defense missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, relationships, and operational planning objectives.
• Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting data to reach valid conclusions and make meaningful recommendations.
• Skill in planning and independently managing short- and long-term projects and maintaining productive working relationships through project completion.
• Skill in communicating orally and in writing with tact and diplomacy to advocate agency positions and explain programs and activities to audiences with varying levels of understanding.
• Ability to evaluate program effectiveness and prepare reports on program objectives.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Males must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the security clearance required for the position.
• Must provide education transcripts when education is used to qualify; foreign education must be shown to be equivalent to conventional U.S. education when used to meet requirements.

Responsibilities

• Conduct public affairs functions, ensuring activities comply with legal and regulatory requirements and meet customer needs.
• Respond to requests for information about assigned programs from news media, specialized groups, the general public, elected officials, special-interest groups, and community and civic organizations.
• Research, plan, execute, and/or evaluate complex public affairs operations, programs, policies, special assignments, and initiatives affecting multiple functional areas.
• Represent the organization in councils, boards, working groups, and panels within and outside the agency, including Air Force, Department of Defense, government, nongovernmental, public, civic, industry, business, educational, entertainment, think tank, and media organizations.
• Advise the organization in the assigned area of responsibility.

Benefits

• Federal employees receive a comprehensive benefits package for themselves and their families; specific benefits depend on position type.
• PCS may be paid in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations and Air Force regulations, if authorized.
• Incentives may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed