PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST Job in Westover Air Reserve Base, MA

Vacancy No. AFPCSEU-12766537-801462-YMH Department Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command
Salary $99,992.00 to $129,996.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/18/2025 Close Date 7/24/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Westover Air Reserve Base, MA


Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an Air Reserve Technician (ART) officer, to plan, direct and administer the public affairs program including but not limited to internal information, media relations, and community relations to include but are not limited to production of audio-visual presentations and broadcast materials; newspapers as well as news and feature items for publication; web sites and other methods. Provides training to reservists in the duties listed herein.

Duties

Provide staff direction involving all internal information, media relations, and community relations for the Reserve unit.

Establish and maintain contact and effective working relationships with the media, local businesses, information entities, and social and civic groups with the objective of sustaining a high degree of public awareness, understanding, and support of the Air Force Reserve.

Plan, organize and administer an Air Force Reserve Center (AFRC) wing external information program.Establish and maintain effective working relationship with print and broadcast media representatives in disseminating information or answering inquiries about the organizations' operations or activities.

Work with the Environmental Planning Function (EPF) as the focal point for public affairs aspects for the unit on proposed Installation Restoration Program (IRP) actions and is fully aware of all IRP activities and the public affairs requirements associated with such activities.

Plan and conduct special programs, arranges for military speakers, prepares displays, secures and plays Air Force videos, and other items for fairs, contests, etc. Plan special programs which enhance the public's perception of the unit, e.g., Open House, Armed Forces Day, Employer Appreciation Day, etc.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be a United States Citizen
  • This position is centrally managed position. Travel and relocation expenses will be paid.
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments is required
  • Preferred Military AFSC and Grade: 035P3 and O-5/Lt Colonel
  • Position may or will require incumbent to Fly in military and/or commercial aircraft in the performance of temporary duty (TDY) assignments
  • Required to meet and maintain Air Force Reserve requirements. Incumbent's regular assignments are primarily ART duties: however, the incumbent may be assigned some non-ART duties, generally not to exceed 30 percent of total responsibilities
  • Position may require a background security investigation to determine suitability for employment and/or a security clearance
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guide
  • Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume
  • A recruitment and relocation incentive may be authorized.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Group Standard for Administrative & Management Positions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level (or other equivalent pay systems) in federal service which equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience is experience which
involves administering, planning and directing a public affairs program including but not limited to internal information, media relations, and community relations; developing and presenting informational material; establishing and maintaining effective relationships with both external and internal publics; developing written and oral presentations transmitting information concerning programs and activities via production of audio visual presentations and broadcast materials; newspapers as well as news and feature items for publication, web sites, special events and other methods.

To view qualification requirements, click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1000/public-affairs-series-1035/

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 the functions and missions of an organization.
2. Knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices of a Public Affairs program.
3. Knowledge of the principles and methods of written and oral communication and skills in applying principles and using methods of conducting a public affairs program involving public information, internal information and community relations activities for internal and external audiences.
4. Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting data to identify potential problems and offer meaningful recommendations and solutions and ability to plan, organize and evaluate program effectiveness.
5. Knowledge of management practices, theories, techniques, procedures and safety and security regulations.
6. Skill in identifying and analyzing compliance issues and developing recommendations to resolve issues.

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Air Reserve Technicians are part of the regular civil service and enjoy all the benefits granted to Federal employees in the competitive civil service. In addition, ARTs are required to maintain active membership in an Air Force Reserve unit so long as they occupy Air Reserve Technician positions. As members of reserve units, ARTs receive on average one weekend of military training per month. In addition, they are eligible for 15 days active duty tour each year for which military leave is granted with full civilian pay. Air Reserve units and members are subject to immediate call to active duty in mobilization to meet a national emergency.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information, click here.

Retired military are usually ineligible for membership in the Air Force Reserve. Retired military personnel who have active Air Force Reserve assignments may apply provided they show assignment (position and unit) on their application.

120-DAY COMPETITIVE CERTIFICATE: This vacancy announcement may be used to fill like vacancies for 120-days from the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as/if additional vacancies occur during this period.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Individuals on active duty may apply 120 days before separation date and should indicate in their application their military separation date. Reservists who are mobilized may submit a copy of their mobilization orders or a statement in their application stating they are available within 120 days.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated in the "Highly Qualified" or "Best Qualified" Category on the rating criteria for this vacancy. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

All Federal Employees are required by PL 104-134 to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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 note if duplicate/multiple application materials are submitted, we will consider the most recent submission as the one of record. If you do not meet the screen out questions, you will not receive any further consideration. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

You will be rated under Category Rating procedures based on the extent to which your experience meets the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities for the position and rated as shown below. Additional points are not added for veterans' preference; however, preference is still applied. Applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans within the same quality category. Once the application process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire. You will receive a rating based on your responses to the assessment questionnaire. The rating is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of this position. If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, your rating can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities.

If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified- Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements for announced position. Highly Qualified- Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements for announced position. Qualified- Candidates in this category meet the minimum experience requirements for announced position.

Required Documents

The following documents are required:

1. Resume - Work experience sections must show inclusive dates (month/year) and number of hours worked per week (if part-time). If in a Reserve component, you should also identify any man-days or active duty days (total number of days) within the corresponding work experience block, if applicable. Additional information on what your resume must contain can be found on the following link: http://www.afrc.af.mil/Portals/87/documents/jobs/FEDERAL-JOB-INFORMATION-MARCH-2018.pdf.
2. Occupational Assessment Questionnaire
3. Other supporting documents:

Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable - To successfully claim veterans' preference, your resume/supplemental data must clearly show your entitlement. If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, please see the information below:

COPY OF DD 214, CERTIFICATE OF RELEASE OR DISCHARGE FROM ACTIVE DUTY PROVIDED MUST IDENTIFY TYPE OF SEPARATION, CHARACTER OF SERVICE AND NARRATIVE REASON FOR SEPARATION.

Claims for 5-Point Veterans' Preference. Submit official documentation such as (1) a DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty - Member 4 copy (2) (2) Virtual MPF awards and decoration printout and Statement of Service Letter/DD-214; or (3) Statement of Service Letter or other form of certification signed by a Military Personnelist or other authorizing official (Commander of your unit or higher headquarters) who certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. The certification should also include your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of Discharge and Character of Service (for members in a Reserve component, the letter must clearly identify 180 consecutive days of active duty, not for training).

If selected, you will be required to submit a copy of your DD 214 prior to entering on duty.

Claims for 10-Point Veterans' Preference. Submit the following documents: (1) Standard Form 15, pages 1&2 (Revised Oct 13 or later; previous editions are unusable); (2) a letter from the Veterans Administration, dated 1991 or later identifying percentage of disability. The Employment Letter is the preferred supporting documentation which must be submitted with the SF 15. The Employment Letter can be requested through the Veterans Administration by calling 1-800-827-1000; and (3) a DD 214 Member 4 copy. If sufficient information is not provided, tentative preference may be granted based on 5- Point Veterans' Preference criteria as stated above.

For Additional details on veteran's preference, please refer to the OPM VetGuide at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide/

The above mentioned forms may be obtained from the Air Force Reserve website at http://www.afrc.af.mil/AboutUs/JobOpportunities.aspx.

How to Apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/24/2025.

To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12766537

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.

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

1. Your Resume (your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications). If you submit more than one copy of your resume, only the most recent (latest) version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent."

  • It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application.
  • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, you will not be considered for this vacancy.
  • For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., hours per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position.
2. A complete Application Questionnaire

3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name.

PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

Agency contact information

Total Force Service Center
Address
AFRC Non-ART Locations
550 C Street W
JBSA Randolph AFB, TX 78150
US

Next steps

Applications will be processed for rating after the close date of this announcement. Processing time for applications is several weeks from the close date of this announcement. Applicants will receive a Notice of Results (NOR) via email approximately 2 days after the announcement closes. The rating on this NOR will be based strictly on your answers to the questionnaire. You will receive another NOR via email once your application is rated by a Human Resources Specialist which may reflect a different rating from the initial notice. Qualified candidates may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.


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


© 2006-2025, exclusive of U. S. government job opportunity announcements