Duties
Serves as the JFHQ-State Public Affairs Officer, directly reporting to the Adjutant General (TAG). 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.
Serves as the official spokesperson for the Adjutant General on controversial and complex issues before the representatives of the print and broadcast media and national organizations (i.e., Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Army (DA), Department of Air Force DAF), etc - and national organizations, such as Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy, NGAUS, etc.), the general public and special interest groups. PAO regularly conducts Deterrence Media Operations, fully and truthfully informing the public of NG programs, positions and actions that demonstrate that the Guard is continuously ready to respond rapidly to the GWOT at home and abroad. The reach of individual state's DMO is international while the implication and scope of DMO is national; the PAO frequently represents and speaks on the behalf of the Adjutant General and the National Guard as a whole, with a profound effect on the reputation and image of the NG. As a member of the TAGs special staff, the PAO is provided direction through broadly defined public affairs program regulations or guidance common to all career fields. The JFHQ-State PAO is responsible for independently planning, designing and carrying out major program functions, informing the TAG of progress as needed.
Performs other duties as assigned.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the application process is complete, a review of your application/resume will be made to determine your Area of Consideration (AOC) and to ensure you meet the basic eligibility and minimum job requirements. Your initial rating will be based on your responses to the questionnaire in this document. This process measures the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position. Your final rating will be based on our evaluation of your responses, as verified through a review of your resume and other supporting documents. If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility and rating.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
Message Delivery, Political Saavy, Public Affairs Policies and Procedures, and Team Building~
Required Documents
To determine your qualifications for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. Questionnaire. This is accomplished by submitting the application. There is nothing that needs to be attached to this application to meet this requirement.
3. SF-50, if applicable
4. Transcripts, if applicable
5. DD-214/NGB 22 (if claiming former AKNG member)
6. A copy of your DD Form 214, if applicable.
7. SF-15 (Application for 10-point veteran preference), if applicable.
8. Any additional documentation you wish to submit for consideration.
Your resume, curriculum vitae, the Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF 612), or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications can be submitted electronically using the document upload process. We recommend using the resume building within USAJOBS. Please log into USAJOBS, go to your "Documents", make sure you're in the "Resumes" section and select the "Upload or build resume" button, then click on "Build resume". Please be sure to include all of the following information in your resume:
Job Information:
- Vacancy Identification Number, title, grade and location for which you are applying.
Personal Information:
- Full name, mailing address (with zip code) and day/evening telephone numbers (with area code).
- Country of Citizenship.
- If ever employed by the Federal Government, please show the highest Federal civilian grade held, job series, and dates of employment in grade.
Education:
- High School name, city, state and zip code, date of diploma or GED.
- Colleges and/or Universities attended, city, state and zip code.
- Major field(s) of study.
- Type and year of degree(s) received. If no degree received, show total credit hours received in semester or quarter hours.
Work Experience for each paid or non-paid position held related to the job for which you are applying (do not provide copies of job descriptions):
- Job title.
- Duties and accomplishments.
- Number of hours per week.
- Employer's name and address.
- Supervisor's name and phone number.
- Indicate if your current supervisor may be contacted.
- Starting and ending dates of employment (month and year).
- Salary.
Other Qualifications:
- Job-related training courses (title and year).
- Job-related skills (e.g., other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, machinery, typing speed, etc.)
- Job related certificates and licenses.
- Job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments. (e.g., publications, memberships in professional or honor societies, leadership activities, public speaking, performance awards, etc.)
Do not send copies of documents unless specifically requested.
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/12791307
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/.
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. Referral to the hiring official will be IAW our agency Merit Promotion Plan and current Labor agreement. Qualified applicants may be further evaluated by a ranking panel. Referred candidates will be further evaluated and interviewed by a selection panel.