Public Affairs Specialist

Air Combat Command • Beale AFB, CA

6d

About The Position

The Public Affairs Specialist carries out recurring, precedented public affairs assignments supporting the commander's priorities. Work includes media operations, social media, community engagement, command information, visual information, communication planning, contingency and crisis response, special event planning, and environmental, security, and policy review. The specialist produces or assists in producing materials supporting the commander's public affairs goals, represents the public affairs office at meetings with installation and local organizations, and assists with planning and carrying out the visual information program. The position may require after-hours on-call availability, periodic weekly 24-hour alert duty, and occasional travel away from the normal duty station.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Must complete the initial online questionnaire and any additional assessment(s).
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
• Must meet the specialized experience, education, or combination-of-experience-and-education qualification requirements for the GS-09 position. Specialized experience requires at least one year at the GS-07 level or equivalent in public affairs, communications, organizational operations, and visual communication; qualifying graduate education may include a master's or equivalent degree, two full years of progressively higher graduate education, or an LL.B. or J.D. in a relevant field.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet the applicable federal time-in-grade requirement, including one year at the GS-07 level for GS-09 consideration, where applicable.
• Must submit transcripts when qualifying based on education or when education forms the basis for qualifications.
• Knowledge of public affairs programs and written and oral communication principles, methods, and techniques for coordinating activities and communicating with stakeholders.
• Knowledge of organizational operations and functions sufficient to communicate accurate information.
• Knowledge of concepts, policies, and practices for communicating through visual means, which may include illustrations, photography, presentations, television or motion-picture production, and base cable access television.
• Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting information to identify potential problems, reach valid conclusions, and offer meaningful recommendations or resolutions.
• Skill in working with people and maintaining effective relationships with groups affected by Air Force and local installation or organization programs and policies.
• Ability to produce written information conveying complex information to public stakeholders with different levels of understanding.
• Ability to plan and develop news stories, features, and quasi-technical articles.
• May be required to work outside normal duty hours, including evenings, weekends, or holidays, and may be required to travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
• May be required to perform periodic weekly 24-hour alert duty as the public affairs on-call representative.
• All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
• Depending on the position type, the selected applicant must serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period; continued employment afterward requires written certification that it advances the public interest.

Responsibilities

• Carry out recurring, precedented public affairs assignments in support of the commander's priorities.
• Produce and assist in producing materials that support the commander's public affairs goals.
• Attend meetings as a representative of the public affairs office, including meetings with installation and local organizations.
• Assist in planning, organizing, and carrying out the visual information program.
• Gather, evaluate, and interpret information to identify potential problems, reach valid conclusions, and recommend resolutions for recurring, precedented assignments.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with groups interested in or affected by Air Force and local installation or organization programs and policies.
• Produce written information conveying complex information to public stakeholders with different levels of understanding.
• Plan and develop news stories, features, and quasi-technical articles.
• Respond to news media and other inquiries during periodic after-hours on-call alert duty, if assigned.

Benefits

• The announcement states that federal employees receive access to a comprehensive benefits package for themselves and their families; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level