PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

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 Serve as Public Affairs Specialist, providing planning, directing, organizing, and exercising control over nonsupervisory employees assigned to the Public Affairs office.

**Qualifications:**
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, Public Affairs, 1035 Series. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience include: Using rules, procedures, and practices within the Public Affairs discipline with the ability to apply this expertise to develop new approaches, methods, or procedures in regards to media relations, community engagement, command information and senior leader support; Possess analytical skills to include: gathering, evaluating, and interpreting complex data in all areas of the Public Affairs discipline; and drawing appropriate conclusions from conflicting data including determining what kinds of information are needed and ways of collecting data. 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-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 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: 1. Knowledge of a wide range of oral, written, and visual communication concepts, principles, practices, policies, methods, applications, techniques, standards, and trends of a Public Affairs program; analytical methods; interpersonal relations practices applicable to researching, planning, developing, coordinating, and evaluating new information materials for information programs and multimedia activities. 2. Knowledge of the missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, relationships, and operational planning objectives of Air Force and DoD organizations. 3. Knowledge of safety, security, personnel management, and EEO regulations, practices, and procedures. 4. Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting data sufficient to arrive at valid, supportable conclusions and to offer meaningful recommendations. 5. Skill in producing written information for audiences with different levels of understanding; 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. 6. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions and staff of a small to medium sized organization. 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.