Public Affairs Specialist

Army National Guard Units•Jackson, MS

About The Position

This is a National Guard Title 32 excepted-service position requiring membership in the Mississippi National Guard. The Public Affairs Specialist serves as the state’s Public Affairs Officer (PAO) in the Joint Force Headquarters–State Public Affairs Office. The role directs public, community, and media relations for the Army and Air National Guard throughout the state and supervises the JFHQ-State Public Affairs Office staff, field and unit public affairs specialists, and Mobile Public Affairs Detachments personnel covering assigned regional, national, and international areas. The PAO plans, budgets, designs, and executes communications strategies that inform general and specialized audiences about National Guard programs, activities, services, and missions. The position provides public information, command/internal information, media relations, and community relations services for a large, complex statewide organization. It develops and evaluates communications programs, assesses public reactions to programs and policies, and recommends adjustments that may affect major programs or policies. Communications planning incorporates varied points of view and supports mutual understanding among local, state, regional, and national audiences. The PAO is the official spokesperson for the Adjutant General on complex and controversial matters, representing the Adjutant General and the National Guard before media, government departments, national organizations, the public, and special-interest groups. The role also conducts Deterrence Media Operations and independently plans and carries out major public affairs program functions, keeping the Adjutant General informed of progress as needed. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

National Guard membership in a compatible military assignment is required.
Must meet the military grade requirement of O4–O6.
Must obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.
Must wear the military uniform.
Must have general experience, education, or training in administrative, professional, investigative, or technical work; evaluating information or using analytical skills to disseminate effective communication; and using computers and automation systems.
Must have at least 36 months of specialized experience, education, or training involving public-affairs writing and communication principles, methods, and techniques related to the military.
Must have experience developing information materials such as news releases, fact sheets, brochures, booklets, or broadcast spots to increase communication with agency audiences.
Must have experience making on-the-spot presentations to audiences with opposing points of view or an erroneous understanding of agency positions.
Must have experience responding timely and appropriately to requests for information about agency programs and services.
Must be able to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers.
Must not be disqualified under the Lautenberg Amendment due to a qualifying domestic-violence conviction.
Irregular or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies, including work outside normal duty hours.
Must maintain awareness of environmental responsibilities under applicable legal, regulatory, organizational, and mission requirements.
Education cannot substitute for the experience requirements; transcripts or other documentation must be provided to support education claims.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Joint Force Headquarters–State Public Affairs Officer and report directly to the Adjutant General.
Plan, budget, design, and execute public affairs communications strategies about Army and Air National Guard programs, activities, services, and missions.
Direct command/internal information, media relations, and community relations campaigns across the state and assigned regional, national, and international areas.
Supervise the JFHQ-State Public Affairs Office staff, field and unit public affairs specialists, and Mobile Public Affairs Detachments personnel covering the region.
Develop or evaluate information programs to improve public understanding of National Guard missions and programs.
Analyze public reaction to National Guard programs and policies and develop recommendations for adjustments, including changes that may affect major programs or policies.
Include diverse points of view in communications plans to establish and maintain mutual understanding with local, state, regional, and national audiences.
Serve as the Adjutant General’s official spokesperson on complex and controversial issues before media, government departments, national organizations, the public, and special-interest groups.
Conduct Deterrence Media Operations, truthfully informing the public about National Guard programs, positions, actions, and readiness.
Independently plan, design, and carry out major public affairs program functions and inform the Adjutant General of progress as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.