PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION. This National Guard position is for a PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST, Position Description Number PDT5810900 and is part of the MA ANG 104th FW, National Guard. This is a Bargaining Unit position. The unit point of contact and contact phone for this position is: Christopher Riga at christopher.riga@us.af.mil

This job is open to

• Internal to an agency
  
  Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

Open to all current and former members of the Massachusetts National Guard (former members must provide documentation showing membership in the Massachusetts National Guard such as an NGB 22 or DD214).

Duties

1. Prepares internal and external public affairs products for distribution through social media, DVIDS, wing website, and release to civilian media, as applicable. Researches and writes stories/articles and rewrites material intended for distribution. Shoots related photos and video, as required. Edits and revises products for style, format and content; and, reviews and edits photography and artwork for quality and composition. May design overall products. Accesses public affairs' products to DVIDS per current DoD procedures. Responds to requests for information, materials, and support; and, plans and conducts community engagement activities with community officials and groups. Maintains an active web/social media presence; provides visual information services for documentation and/or publicity purposes; and, plans and arranges news media coverage. For approved events, coordinates support of 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. Prepares and ensures distribution of customer satisfaction/opinion surveys on internal information products. Evaluates feedback to determine customer needs and uses comments to improve future output. Makes positive suggestions to the supervisor for changes in approach and adoption of new techniques. 40%)

2. Performs work for the production/management/maintenance of electronic and web-based information products. Implements and ensures the quality of the Hometown News Release program. Publicizes the programs, monitors, logs, and disseminates releases. Writes draft and final versions of news releases, feature articles, speeches, fact sheets, and brochures for internal and external audiences. Updates unit mission briefings and develops additional informational briefings as needed. Confers with program specialists, action officers, and other subject matter experts to obtain the latest and most accurate information and imagery approved for public releases. Prepares requests for photographer or graphic support; takes photographs; and, selects and edits photographs and electronic images to accompany articles and media releases. Provides historical documentation support. Provides photographic and video support for alert mission to include mishaps. Performs security reviews on information placed on the unit's public web-page and social media feed(s). Assists in the overall design of unit's web "home-page".(35%)

3. Organizes, coordinates, publicizes and conducts periodic events with local organizations such as, community councils, local governments, Chamber of Commerce, and, state and national legislative offices. Assists with organizing and conducting larger events such as, Civic Leader Tours, Base Open-House activities, and Armed Forces Days, which are designed to promote positive relations between the base and surrounding communities. Accomplishes administrative support work such as, preparing correspondence, press kits and handouts, arranging for passes, and compiling data. Responds to and processes requests from community organizations and individuals for military support and/or participation in various events such as, orientation flights, PA travel on military aircraft, flyovers, parades, fairs, and conventions. Assists in evaluating the events' primary purpose, potential risk factors, and benefits to the ANG. Recommends speakers and assists in training unit members for speaking engagements. Provides speech materials, topics, and objectives used by wing personnel. Organizes, coordinates and conducts wing tours for civic groups, media representatives, students and distinguished visitors. Ensures tour itineraries focus on improving ANG image and furthering base community relations and involvement activities. Prepares and monitors materials for the commander's civil leader/distinguished visitor program. Briefs visitors on the ANG and Wing's mission, impacts and contributions to DoD, the Air Force, and the community. (15%)

4. Responds, in a timely manner, to media queries concerning special events, mobilizations, exercises, aircraft incidents, or accidents. Clears responses with appropriate authority before releasing information. Confers with subject matter experts to obtain latest and most accurate information for use in news releases on social media, radio, TV networks, newspapers or other public forums. Coordinates and responds to news media inquiries on the mission, capabilities, impacts, and contributions of the base. Assists the PAO in advising wing leadership on DoD, Air Force, and ANG policy concerning release of information to the public. Provides media training on a just-in-time basis for wing personnel. Assists PAO in establishing and maintaining positive relationships and on-going contacts with local news media representatives. (10%)

Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• Favorable background check is required.
• Position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program.
• PCS expenses will not be paid.
• Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
• Incumbent must possess or be able to acquire the appropriate level security clearance for this position.

Qualifications

*This is an indefinite position, tenure 3, with a time limit determined by the needs of the agency. Any permanent military technician who is selected for this position will become tenure 3. The selectee will receive the same benefits and entitlements as the tenure 1 employee but will be considered tenure 3 for purposes of reduction in force. If a permanent resource becomes available, incumbent may be converted to a permanent appointment without competition*

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Open to all current and former members of the Massachusetts National Guard (former members must provide documentation showing membership in the Massachusetts National Guard such as an NGB 22 or DD214).

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Must have experience, education or training in administrative, professional, investigative and/or technical work. Experience evaluating information and/or using analytical skills to disseminate effective communication. Experience in compiling reports, letters, memoranda, etc., and required person-to-person contacts to convey information. Experience using computers and automation systems.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Must haveat least one year of experience equivalent to at least next lower grade level. Experience, education, or training involving knowledge of writing, communication principles, methods and techniques that relate to the public affairs of an agency. Experience in applying and adapting knowledge of strictly controlled situations of an agency. Experience writing articles on routine events of non-controversial subjects. Experience responding timely and appropriately to requests for information concerning agency programs and services. Experience participating in meetings with specialized groups to listen to and understand feedback on agency programs that are of particular interest to public.

OR

Education: Possess a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.

OR

Combination: A combination of Specialized Experience and Education as described above. Only graduate education in excess of 1 full year of graduate level education may be used when combining education and experience to meet the total qualification requirements.

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 months/years.

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.

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 (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).

To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019

An employee of an agency may not request, in oral or written form, that an applicant for an appointment to a position in the civil service disclose criminal history record information regarding the applicant before the appointing authority extends a conditional offer to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint, or any other information, to an agency within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance by an employee of an agency. To file a complaint please click this link and scroll to the bottom of the page for more information.

• Benefits
  
  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.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Once the application process is complete, a review of resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

• Benefits
  
  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.
  
  Review our benefits
  
  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.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  Resume must be submitted with the following information:
  
  • Your name and contact information.
  • Work Experience section of your resume must include:
    
    • Name of the organization you worked at.
    • Job title you held at the organization.
    • Start and end dates for the position (dates must have month and year).
    • Bulleted statements regarding duties you performed in the position. Be clear and concise in stating your duties, we will not make any assumptions regarding your experience. Your bulleted statements should reflect that you have the required specialized experience described in this announcement.
    • If your position was in the civil service, include the grade and series for the position.
    • If applicable, include TRADITIONAL GUARDSMEN experience. Enter your MOS, bulleted statements of duties, and start and end dates (dates must have month and year).
  • Education and certificates if applicable. Include name of school, degree, or certificate, start and end dates.
  • Part-Time, unpaid, volunteer work if applicable. Include duties and responsibilities and start and end dates (dates must have month and year).
  
  Unofficial Transcripts - If used to qualify (An official transcript may be required before being hired.)
  
  Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicants - If claiming PPP status you must submit required documentation as stated below:
  
  - DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians: A copy of the "Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist" and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received showing you are no longer eligible for military or NG membership (through no fault of your own) and that you have completed at least 15 years of technician service and a minimum of 20 years of service creditable for non-regular retirement.
  
  - Priority Placement Program DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Preference Eligible Technician Receiving Disability Retirement: A copy of the "Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist" and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received that states you are no longer eligible for Reserve membership due to a service-connected disability.
  
  - Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible: A copy of the "Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist" and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as a RIF change-to-lower-grade notice, and an SF-50 reflecting your RIF change to lower grade.
  
  
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
  schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  
  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
• How to Apply
  
  To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12534864
  
  A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
  
  To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
  
  Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  
  After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  
  You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
  
  To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  MA HRO STAFFING INBOX
  
  Email
  
  ng.ma.maarng.mbx.hro-staffing@army.mil
  
  Address
  
  MA ANG 104th FW
  
  175 Falcon Drive
  
  Westfield, MA 01085-1482
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Financial suitability
  • New employee probationary period
  • Privacy Act
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Selective Service
  • Signature and false statements
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Resume must be submitted with the following information:

• Your name and contact information.
• Work Experience section of your resume must include:
  
  • Name of the organization you worked at.
  • Job title you held at the organization.
  • Start and end dates for the position (dates must have month and year).
  • Bulleted statements regarding duties you performed in the position. Be clear and concise in stating your duties, we will not make any assumptions regarding your experience. Your bulleted statements should reflect that you have the required specialized experience described in this announcement.
  • If your position was in the civil service, include the grade and series for the position.
  • If applicable, include TRADITIONAL GUARDSMEN experience. Enter your MOS, bulleted statements of duties, and start and end dates (dates must have month and year).
• Education and certificates if applicable. Include name of school, degree, or certificate, start and end dates.
• Part-Time, unpaid, volunteer work if applicable. Include duties and responsibilities and start and end dates (dates must have month and year).

Unofficial Transcripts - If used to qualify (An official transcript may be required before being hired.)

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicants - If claiming PPP status you must submit required documentation as stated below:

- DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians: A copy of the "Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist" and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received showing you are no longer eligible for military or NG membership (through no fault of your own) and that you have completed at least 15 years of technician service and a minimum of 20 years of service creditable for non-regular retirement.

- Priority Placement Program DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Preference Eligible Technician Receiving Disability Retirement: A copy of the "Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist" and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received that states you are no longer eligible for Reserve membership due to a service-connected disability.

- Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible: A copy of the "Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist" and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as a RIF change-to-lower-grade notice, and an SF-50 reflecting your RIF change to lower grade.


If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12534864

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.

You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

MA HRO STAFFING INBOX

Email

ng.ma.maarng.mbx.hro-staffing@army.mil

Address

MA ANG 104th FW

175 Falcon Drive

Westfield, MA 01085-1482

US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Criminal history inquiries
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Financial suitability
• New employee probationary period
• Privacy Act
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Selective Service
• Signature and false statements
• Social security number request