PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Summary

This PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST is located in the Public Affairs Function of a State Air National Guard (ANG) Wing, under direct supervision of the Wing Commandand is part of the CA 144 FW.

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Duties

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THIS IS A T5 EXCEPTED SERVICE, PERMANENT POSITION

The primary purpose of the PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST, GS-1035-11, is to carry-out a wide range of public affairs assignments that include elements of visual information, social media, media operations, community engagement, command information, communication planning, contingency/crisis response, environmental, security, policy review, and public affairs resource management in support of the mission and the commander's priorities. The position modifies standard methods, evaluates the effectiveness of information, and adapts approaches in developing new informational materials aimed at enhancing the understanding of recipients.

• Manages audio visual equipment for section. Stays abreast of current visual information methodology and technological developments. Plans, organizes, and carries out the visual information program. Provides photographic editing and processing, and video support. Designs, creates, and assembles materials for presentations, publications, and exhibits. Selects visual materials such as, photographs and graphics used in the communication of information.
• Coordinates the planning and development of complex, high level public affairs assignments in support of commander's programs and priorities. Carries out public affairs tasks that support the wing commander's priorities through the integration of visual information, social media, community engagement, command information, communication planning, contingency/crisis response, media operations, environmental, security and policy review, and public affairs resource management activities.
• Creates new, adapts, or modifies accepted communication campaign formats to reach a target audience with a specific message. Researches, drafts, coordinates, produces, and reviews public affairs products such as, web-based content, photographs, videos, news and feature articles, news releases, talking points, fact sheets, briefings, speeches and scripts, newsletters, and other materials. Modifies standard methods and adapts approaches in developing new information materials aimed at enhancing the understanding of groups or individuals of significant issues concerning agency programs.
• Maintains effective working relationships with officials of various senior wing leadership, civic, news media, community groups, Department of Defense personnel, as well as local, state and national government officials, and the general public. Attends meetings and maintains professional contacts. Explains public affairs policies and procedures and resolves most problems that arise. Determines appropriate recommendations for unresolved issues and performs follow up. Maintains effective relationships with DoD personnel, National, State and local officials, to include their respective State PAOs. Provides guidance and acts as a liaison to visiting non-military organizational photo crews, to include public news media photographers, who request to conduct photography activities.

The position resides within the infrastructure and support functions of the state National Guard; the incumbent is not subject to mobilization, nor is the work described part of the military mission; and the incumbent does not perform a key advisory or essential administrative role that is inherently military. In addition, the position must meet one of the following: It does not have a comparable military function; the position is required in full-time (civilian) role when the organization, or similar military position, is mobilized to perform continuing post-mobilization functions; or the position requires a skill or competency that necessitates technical expertise or professional qualifications that cannot be readily found in the military structure of the state military force.

May make additional selections within 90 days of eligible(s) issuance.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Recruitment/Relocation

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive MAY BE authorized, subject to funding and approval.

PCS

Relocation Costs MAY BE authorized subject to provisions of the Joint Travel Regulation, funding, and an agency determination that a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move is in the Government's best interest.

• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• May be required to successfully complete a one or two year trial period.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
• Must maintain proper security clearance.
• Required to complete SE1-260 requirements within six months of employment.
• Must complete the DoD Public Affairs Qualification Course within two years of employment; or, for on-board personnel, complete the course within two years from the appointment date to this position description.

Security Clearance: at a minimum a National Agency Check is required prior to position assignment.

Qualifications

PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST, GS-1035-11: Must have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-09 level, or equivalent pay band in other pay systems in the Federal government. This experience may also have been obtained in the private sector, but must demonstrate that it is comparable to the GS grade indicated. Specialized experience may have been demonstrated by performing duties such as: a thorough knowledge of writing and communication principles, methods and techniques that relate to public affairs of the military; Experience developing new information materials including news releases, fact sheets, brochures, booklets, broadcast spots, etc., that increase communication with the agency's audiences; Experience making on-the-spot presentations to audiences with opposing points of view or erroneous understanding of agency positions; Experience responding timely and appropriately to requests for information concerning agency programs and services.

Your resume must have complete information: Please ensure your resume accurately reflects the duties and responsibilities under each position you have held with each employer. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. It is your responsibility to make sure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified and you will no longer be considered for this position.

Part-time or unpaid experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the number of hours per week spent in such employment.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date: You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by 08/14/2026

Education

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience: Havea Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work required. OR Have a combination of education and experience. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required above may be used.

When there is a positive education or certification requirement, or you are using education to qualify as a substitution for experience, copies of transcripts (unofficial) and/or certificates are required at the time of application to verify that you meet the educational/certification requirement or substitution. Failure to provide transcripts and/or certificates at the time of application will result in automatic disqualification.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website:

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional information

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please email View email address on click.appcast.io or Fax to View phone number on click.appcast.io.

This is an Excepted Service position. Applicants who currently hold a Competitive Service status and is offered a position with the California National Guard, will lose their Competitive Service status to become Excepted Service. Competitive Service applicants who are Career and have completed the three year service requirement permanent tenure (Block 24 reflects "1") are eligible for lifetime reinstatement rights. Competitive Service applicants who are Career Conditional and have not completed the three year service requirement (Block 24 reflects "2") are eligible for three year reinstatement rights.

As a condition of employment, new appointees are required to serve a trial period. Individuals who are initially appointed to a permanent or indefinite position in the CMD must complete a one (1) or two (2) year trial period subject to appointment type (DSMT or T5) and veteran's preference. Trial periods for federal excepted service employees are established under 5 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter A-Part 11.

T he Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (the Fair Chance Act) prohibits Federal agencies and Federal contractors acting on their behalf from requesting that an applicant for Federal employment disclose criminal history record information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment to that applicant. When it is alleged that an agency employee has violated the requirements, an applicant may submit a complaint, or any other information, to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged non-compliance with 5 U.S.C. 9202 and 5 CFR part 920 by an employee of the agency.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.