PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST Job in Lincoln, NE

Vacancy No. NE-12437808-TR-24-014 Department Army National Guard Units
Salary $103,409.00 to $134,435.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/5/2024 Close Date 6/24/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Lincoln, NE


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

THIS IS A TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION WITH THE NEBRASKA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD.

This National Guard position is for a PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST, Position Description Number T5276000and is part of Joint Force Headquarters Command Group, Nebraska Army National Guard.

Duties

As a PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST, GS-1035-13, duties include:

(1) Serves as the JFHQ-State Public Affairs Officer, reporting to the Chief of the Joint Staff. Responsible for planning, budgeting, designing, and executing public affairs communications strategies to inform and educate the public, both general and specialized, about the Army and Air National Guard programs, activities, and services and the vital role they play as components of the U.S. armed forces as well as being an invaluable asset for homeland defense and homeland security. The state National Guard's various organizations range upward in size from several hundreds to thousands of Soldiers and Airmen, comprised of state and federal employees. Each state includes a large number of National Guard armories, along with flight facilities, maintenance facilities, air installations, training sites and ranges. Geographical area encompasses the state along with any areas the MPADs are assigned which include regional, CONUS (national) and OCONUS (international); each with varied audiences. In any case, with the potential impacts of public affairs actions, the PAO's responsibilities and duties are as encompassing as the Guard as a whole. The JFHQ-State PAO must provide the full range of effective public information, command/internal information, and community relations services to support the National Guard's large and complex organization statewide. The JFHQ-State PAO plans, directs, and executes command/internal information, media and community relations campaigns to convey sensitive and complex information concerning the National Guard's state and federal programs, responsibilities, and activities. The PAO exhibits a mastery of communication principals and techniques along with continuously developing and applying new approaches to the most difficult and complex issues by developing or evaluating information programs that enhance understanding among publics opposed to or indifferent to National Guard mission or programs. The PAO analyzes public reaction to NG programs and policies then adjusts accordingly by developing recommendations that may impact or significantly modify NG major programs or policies. The JFHQ-State PAO must include diverse points of view in communications plan that establish and maintain mutual understanding with various publics in local communities, in the state, the region, and which may impact the NG nationally. The scope, effect and implications of the JFHQ-State PAO's duties are wide; affecting the NG locally, state-wide, nationally and internationally. Throughout the communications process the JFHQ-State PAO analyzes and re-analyzes the clarity and effectiveness of public affairs initiatives and adjusts them as needed.

The JFHQ-State PAO is guided by general policies that cannot encompass the huge variety of specifics that apply to public affairs. Frequently, there are no precedents applicable to unusual or sensitive public issues or problems encountered by the PAO and the PAO exercises considerable professional judgment in interpreting and adapting existing guidelines and precedents and using them as a basis for developing new approaches that coordinate and integrate various aspects of the mission to help create a unified public affairs strategy or plan. The public affairs specialist serves as an NG authority in the development and interpretation of guidelines in the public affairs arena. The PAO is responsible for interpreting applicable general policy and statutory mandates (state, NG, DA, DAF and DOD) and applying these to unusual or sensitive public affairs issues or problems found at the agency level.

FOR FULL POSITION DESCRIPTION, PLEASE CONTACT THE POC FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Obtain/maintain the level of security clearance/background check required
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Direct Deposit is mandatory
  • Individuals with military incentive bonuses may be subject to recoupment.

Qualifications


Security Clearance/Background Check requirements:
In order to comply with US DOD requirements and ensure the safety and security of the missions, programs, property and personnel of the Nebraska Military Department, employees must obtain the appropriate background investigation and maintain the level of security clearance assigned to their respective work.

Failure to obtain, within one year of appointment, and maintain the designated type of security clearance/background check required for the respective work may result in a job offer being rescinded, separations of employment, or other actions as may be deemed in the best interest of the agency.

Prior to appointment individuals must meet the security clearance requirements for the position or submit the required documents of the Nebraska National Guard, Personnel Security Manager for processing the appropriate investigation. Required forms: SF86, PSIP Initiation Form, Fingerprints, OF306 and Application/Resume.

Nebraska National Guard Personnel Security Manager - kalee.m.boden.mil@army.mil; 402-309-8319.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Experience, education, or training in administrative, professional, investigative and/or technical work. Experience evaluating information and/or utilizing analytical skills to disseminate effective communication. Experience using computers and automation systems.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
GS-13 - at least 1 year at the previous lower grade or equilavent experience and education, or training involving 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. Experience in managing the function of the work to be performed. Experience which includes leading, directing and assigning work of personnel.

Education

Education:

No substitution of education for this position

Additional information

Qualified applicants will be required to submit a writing sample to the Hiring Board. As part of the interview process the applicant will complete a proctored writing assignment on a military provided computer, using Microsoft Word 30 minutes prior to their face-to-face interview. The writing sample will be assessed by the hiring board using an approved rubric. The writing assignment assessment will be factored into the overall score of the face-to-face interview.

Qualified applicants will be required to submit a minimum of two past published writing samples for review by the hiring board. Submissions can be direct links if available or submit hard copy documents.






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).

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.

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. Your answers to the assessment questionnaire will be verified against information provided in your resume and other supporting documentation. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position.

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific, we will not make assumptions regarding your experience. If, after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experiences, your rating will be adjusted or you may be excluded from consideration for this position.

NUMERIC CATEGORY: Applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be placed in a numeric group based upon ranking factors such as knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors as reflected in their application package. Refer to NE TPR 335 dated 4 April 2018.

Numeric category ratings are:
Highly Qualified: 90-100 points.
To be highly qualified, an applicant substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including all selective placement factors and are fully competent to effectively perform all the job requirements in the position almost immediately with minimum training or orientation;

Qualified: 70-89 points. To be qualified, an applicant meets the minimum qualifications of the position and is proficient in some, but not all, of the position's requirements. Will require extensive training or orientation to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position.

Veterans' Preference: Assessed applicants are placed in the appropriate numeric category and ranked according to preference eligibility and non-preference eligibility. All qualified preference eligibles are placed ahead of non-preference eligibles within their numeric category.
Read about Veterans' Preference here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide-for-hr-professionals/#2

Your qualifications will be evaluated against general and specialized experience under the "Qualifications" section and against the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Communication Counsel, Communications and Media, Oral Communication, and Public Affairs Policies and Procedures

To preview the assessment questionnaire, please use the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12437808

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (format should include Month and Year) of employment and duties performed.
Use this link for Resume Tips.

2. Other supporting documents (optional)

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214
  • Other
  • Other Veterans Document
  • SF-50
  • Transcript

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 and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (Eastern) 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

Jon Sronce

Address

NE JFHQ Army
2433 NW 24th Street
Lincoln, NE 68524
US
Learn more about this agency

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.

Applicants will be referred in the following order:
1. Highly-Qualified
2. Qualified


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