PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Public Affairs Specialist Duties

A GS-1035-11, PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST:

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.

Responds to requests for information, materials and support; and plans and conducts community engagement activities with community officials and groups, including providing and/or clearing material concerning controversial unit activities such as hazardous operations, costly acquisitions, and equal opportunity issues upon request by media representatives.

Maintains an active web/social media presence, provides visual information services for documentation and/or publicity purposes and plans and arranges news media coverage.

Evaluates the propriety and advisability of agency support of/ participation in local activities, programs, and events. For approved events, coordinates support requests from community and community groups, schools, news media organizations, and others to include requests for interviews, speakers, tours, bands, honor guards, and aviation support and support of local observances and celebrations.

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.

Identifies potential problems or areas of friction and advises management officials concerning the causes of the problems and suggested methods for resolving them.

Confers with program specialists, action officers, and other subject matter experts to obtain the latest and most accurate information and imagery approved for public release.

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.

Manages audio visual equipment for section.

Appointed as the Wing Visual Information Manager per current DoD directives.

Stays abreast of current visual information methodology and technological developments.

Manages budget and procures new equipment and supplies.

Plans, organizes, and carries out the visual information program.

Provides photographic editing and processing, and video support, for alert missions to include mishaps.

Designs, creates, and assembles materials for presentations, publications, and exhibits.

Selects visual materials such as, photographs and graphics used in the communication of information.

Designs the placement and appearance of visual materials; designs the placement of text in relation to art; decides type styles and typographical effects; and, plans effective use of color schemes, textures, and shapes in consideration of technical constraints to particular communication methods for example, printed distribution, exhibit, or oral presentation.

Tailors products to best suit various public forums.

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.

Creates new, adapts, or modifies accepted communication campaign formats to reach a target audience with a specific message.

The selection of a communication campaign format is based on an analysis of targeted audience demographics and message content.

After an informational campaign has been implemented, solicited and unsolicited response data is gathered to assess campaign effectiveness in reaching the target audience.

Other duties as assigned.