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Posted: January 26, 2026 (2 days ago)

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STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

HQ USAF and Support Elements

Department of the Air Force

Fresh

Location

Salary

$169,279 - $197,200

per year

Closes

February 6, 2026

GS-14 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $104,604 - $135,987

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-13. Senior expert or supervisor.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves leading strategic communications efforts for Air Force policies and programs, ensuring key messages are clearly shared with various audiences.

It requires planning, coordinating, and evaluating outreach initiatives to support organizational goals.

A good fit would be someone with extensive experience in government communications, strong analytical skills, and the ability to build relationships with leaders and stakeholders.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience at GS-14 level or equivalent, including strategic planning and policy development for complex programs
  • Knowledge of oral, written, and visual communication principles, methods, and trends
  • Understanding of Air Force and DoD missions, structures, and operational objectives
  • Skill in analyzing data, interpreting trends, and making recommendations to senior leaders
  • Ability to manage short- and long-term projects independently and sustain positive working relationships
  • Effective communication skills, both oral and written, with tact and diplomacy for diverse audiences
  • Experience researching public opinion through media, legislators, and community groups

Full Job Description

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

The primary purpose of this position is: To provide Strategic Communications on A1 policies and programs, ensuring A1 key messages are expertly communicated.

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, Administrative and Management Positions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-14, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes (1) Extensive experience working with strategic planning principles and practices and of the interfaces between strategic planning and effective business practices; (2) working with complex Air Force programs and objectives in order to develop policy to implement program goals and to interpret policies within DoD; and (3) working in developing new methods and approaches to planning, integrating, and evaluating the overall communication and outreach program in order to meet functional objectives, and make recommendations to senior leaders.

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-14 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-15 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 wide range of oral, written, and visual communication concepts, principles, policies, practices, methods, applications, techniques, standards, and trends; analytical methods; interpersonal relations practices applicable to researching, planning, developing, coordinating, and evaluating new information materials for information programs.

Knowledge of missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, relationships, and operational planning objectives.

Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting data 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 logically and effectively explain programs, functions, and activities and gain understanding of the organization's efforts by responsive publics and people with varying levels of understanding.

Ability to research and analyze trends in public opinion via the mass media and meetings with federal and state legislators and community groups to determine program needs.

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:

Serves as the Program Manager of Strategic Communication and Engagements and senior communication advisor, to the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS) to plan, organize, and direct the full range of public communication, public affairs, media, outreach, and engagement activities for HQ AF/A1.

Directs Marketing and Branding Activities of HQ AF/A1.

Represents HQ AF/A1 with a variety of councils, boards, working groups, and panels inside and outside the Air Staff, including 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.

Manages On-line Presence and Social Media Activities. Serves as the champion for the overall operation and success of digital communication including the organization's social media properties.

Serves as the HQ AF/A1 focal point for planning, management, and coordination of the communication program.

Responsible for planning and managing internal/external communication capabilities across the A1 enterprise.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/26/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/26/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 9L-AFPC-12872121-087915-JEL