PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Full Job Description

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In order to qualify, you must meet the SPECIALIZED experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Public Affairs Series 1035.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of a full range of oral, written and visual communication concepts, principles, policies, practices, methods, applications, techniques, standards, and trends applicable to researching, planning, developing, coordinating, guiding, and evaluating broad public affairs and visual information programs; to develop new approaches to extremely difficult issues; and prioritizing requirements, strategies, and assets to perform the mission; and knowledge of the missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, relationships, and operational planning objectives of organizations; as well as knowledge of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to evaluate public reaction to agency programs and policies.

Note: Creditable experience may include previous military experience, experience gained in the private sector, or experience gained in another government agency.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in­-grade requirements to be considered eligible.

One year at the GS-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of a full range of oral, written and visual communication concepts, principles, policies, practices, methods, applications, techniques, standards, and trends applicable to researching, planning, developing, coordinating, guiding, and evaluating broad public affairs and visual information programs; to develop new approaches to extremely difficult issues; and prioritizing requirements, strategies, and assets to perform the mission.

Knowledge of missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, relationships, and operational planning objectives of Air Force and DoD organizations; as well as knowledge of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to evaluate public reaction to agency programs and policies.

Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting conflicting data, considering various points of view, to arrive at valid conclusions and offer meaningful recommendations.

Skill in planning and independently managing short- and long-term projects and to cultivate and sustain positive working relationships to project completion.

Skill in communicating effectively with tact and diplomacy, orally and in writing, to advocate agency positions; to recommend response to criticism of the agency's function or performance; to logically and effectively explain programs, functions, and activities and gain understanding of the organization's efforts by concerned publics.

Ability to evaluate and assess program effectiveness and prepare reports on accomplishment of program objectives.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.

You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties:

The primary purpose of this position is: to serve in an Air Staff, Field Operating Agency (FOA), Major Command (MAJCOM), or Direct Reporting Unit (DRU)-level position providing public affairs advice, authority, technical expertise, and management support to leadership.

Works closely with the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs, its field offices, or its field operating agency (Air Force Public Affairs Agency) in conducting the Air Force public affairs mission worldwide, and to provide policy and program guidance, management, and oversight of assigned public affairs programs and activities.

As the senior PA Specialist for the organization plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates a major public affairs function with Air Force-wide applicability, ensuring public affairs activities comply with legal and regulatory requirements and meet customer needs.

Responds to or leads initiative to respond to information requests on the organization's program from the news media and specialized and general publics, to include all levels of the Air Force, local, state, and federal elected officials and special interest groups, community, and civic organizations.

Manages wide-ranging programs, special projects, and initiatives with responsibility for researching, planning, executing, and evaluating complex public affairs operations, programs, policies, and strategies of significant importance and which affect functional areas and multiple organizational levels.

Represents the organization with a variety of councils, boards, working groups, and panels inside and outside the agency, including Headquarters Air Force, DoD (Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, unified combatant command and sister services), and other governmental, nongovernmental, public, civic, service, industry, business, educational, entertainment, think tank, and media organizations.

Serves as the senior adviser in the assigned area of responsibility.