LEAD PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST Job in Fort Meade, MD

Vacancy No. DMA-25-12597329-DE Department Defense Media Activity
Salary $99,200.00 to $128,956.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/4/2024 Close Date 11/18/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Fort Meade, MD


Summary

This position is part of the Defense Media Activity. The incumbent serves as a Team Lead, Department of the Air Force News Desk (DAFND), Department of the Air Force News Services (DAFNS), Department of the Air Force Production Directorate, Production Component, Defense Media Activity (DMA), Fort Meade, Md. The DAFND edits news articles and serves as the primary web and news content managers for the official Department of the Air Force and Space Force websites.

Duties

As a LEAD PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST at the GS-1035-12 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Leads the editing and dissemination of news, photos, biographies, fact sheets and informational materials to the public or specialized target groups within a domestic or foreign setting on multiple platforms, including AF.mil, SpaceForce.mil, AirmanMagazine.af.mil and via flagship Air Force and flagship DAF social media accounts.
  • Develops and monitors short- and long-range strategic and operational plans for Air Force, Space Force and DoD news stories, information products, online magazine articles and images.
  • Coordinates content plans across a multi-functional team to communicate key Department of the Air Force issues, policies, initiatives and objectives and effectively increase audience awareness, understanding, participation and support.
  • Supports DOD by identifying appropriate DMA resources, audiences and platforms to communicate DAF themes and messages to a broad DOD-interested audience in support of command information goals.
  • Provides context and recommendations to DMA and OSD/PA personnel and leaders on communicating with the DOD and defense.gov audience on a broad spectrum of defense and national security topics including: defense strategy, climate issues, military force structure, personnel, readiness, total force integration, quality of life, operational concepts, defense reform and defense infrastructure.
  • Represents the director at DOD communications planning meetings and performs coordination to improve organizational direction and focus using applicable planning tools and techniques.
  • Resolves conflicts between stakeholder communication goals and organizational guidance.
  • Provides expert knowledge of DOD public affairs ethical guidelines and regulations as they apply to public affairs community relations and public affairs relations with business and nongovernmental organizations.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service http://www.sss.gov
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Work Schedule: Fulltime
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Not Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is eligible for situational telework / Not Remote Work eligible.
  • Employee must possess a valid driver's license because work may require driving a motor vehicle.
  • Employee may be required to travel away from normal duty station.
  • Employee must be willing and able to travel on military and commercial aircraft.
  • Employee may be required to work overtime on an emergency basis.
  • Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
  • Must be able to pass pre-employment drug test screening and periodic testing thereafter, if required.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-12, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service:
  • Successfully developing, executing and evaluating outcomes of audience-focused communication plans in the defense public affairs or journalism community;
  • Providing strategic guidelines in the application of a communications plan, specifically in ensuring integration across teams, dissemination of assignments and targeting audiences through selected use of online platforms;
  • Resolving conflicts between stakeholder expectations and organizational guidance;
  • Applying knowledge of DOD public affairs ethical guidelines and regulations as they apply to public affairs community relations and public affairs relations with business and nongovernmental organizations.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs (ICTAP eligibility): This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are claiming military spouse preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed below preference eligible veteran candidates and above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the "Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP)" eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant. Information and required documentation for claiming MSP may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below. To be eligible as a RGP, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application package: a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 (whs.mil)); a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.

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.

We will review your resume and supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified below, required for this position.

Competencies:

  • Communications & Media
  • Decision Making
  • Strategic Planning


Based on the results of this evaluation, you will be placed in one of the following quality categories:

Best Qualified: This highest category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s), as determined by the job analysis.
Highly Qualified: This higher category will be used for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that exceed the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective placement factors and/or appropriate quality ranking factor(s) as determined by the job analysis.
Qualified: This lowest category will be used for those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications of the position, including all selective placement factors and appropriate quality ranking factor(s) and are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the position. Candidates may require extensive training and/or orientation in order to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=Category-Rating

Names of the candidates in the Best Qualified category will be sent first to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Applicants in other categories will be referred in accordance with category rating procedures.

Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are entitled to veterans' preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Qualified veterans' preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category depending on the position and grade level of the job.
For information on entitlement seeFeds Hire Vets - Job Seekers - Veterans.

Required Documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, applying as a current permanent Federal employee, applying as a reinstatement, etc).

Your complete application includes your COMPLETE resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

The following documents are REQUIRED:

1. Your resume:

  • Your resume may be submitted on any format. It must include your name and contact information and support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
  • For qualifications determinations your resume must contain the number of hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., "HRS per week and month/year to month/year" or "HRS per week and month/year to present").
  • For additional information see: What to include in your resume

2. SF50
  • All current and former civilian Federal employees must submit a copy of your MOST RECENT SF50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing your tenure, grade and step, salary, and type of position occupied (i.e., Excepted or Competitive); or similar Notification of Personnel Action documentation, i.e., Transcript of Service, Form 1150, etc.

3. Veteran's Documents:
  • If applying using veteran's preference or under a Veteran's hiring authority you must submit the following documents: DD214 showing character of service, SF-15 Form and VA letter showing final percentage, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty.

PLEASE REVIEW THE BELOW LINK FOR OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS needed for proof of eligibility:
https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DODCustomersRequiredSupportingDocumentation.pdf

If you are claiming Military Spouse Preference, you must submit supporting documents with your application package. These documents must provide acceptable information to verify: you reside within the commuting area of your sponsor's permanent duty station (PDS); proof of marriage to the active duty sponsor, proof of military member's active duty status, and other documentation required by the vacancy announcement to which you are applying; and must meet all pre-employment criteria and be eligible for immediate noncompetitive appointment to a position in the competitive service. Documentation required: Marriage Certificate or License, Signed Self-Certification Checklist, Veterans' Preference documentation (e.g., DD-214, VA Letter, Statement of Service, if applicable), Transcripts (if applicable). Additional documentation required if previously held a federal position: SF-50s (e.g., LWOP, highest grade held, overseas appointments, etc.), SF-75 Information, and documentation of performance rating of record (dated within the last 12 months)

For More Information: www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/PPP_SELFCERTIFICATIONCHECKLIST_1119.pdf?ver=WZ-PFkneJHelyB0dSlBi5g%3d%3d

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

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

  • To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
  • You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
  • You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
  • To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To preview the questionnaire, please go to https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12597329.

Agency contact information

DE Applicant Inquires
Address
Defense Media Activity
6700 Taylor Ave
Ft. Meade, MD 20755
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once you successfully complete the application process, you will receive a notification of receipt. Your application package will be reviewed to ensure you meet the basic eligibility and qualifications requirements, and you will receive a notification. A review will be made of your online questionnaire and the documentation you submitted to support your responses. A list of qualified applicants will be created and sent to the selecting official. All applicants reviewed and/or referred will receive a notification letter.

A list of qualified applicants will be created and sent to the selecting official. All applicants reviewed and/or referred will receive a notification letter.

The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision.

Please review the General Application Information and Definitions at: https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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