PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST (T32)

Clarification from the agency

Title 32 CAT 1- All on board Federal Employees/Technicians within the ALARNG (T32 and T5, Permanent and Excepted Indefinite) CAT 2- Current Army M-Day and Temporary Technicians within ALARNG CAT 3- Applicants willing to become NG T32 DS Technicians and gain ALARNG membership, all current federal employees, all U.S. Citizens

(1) 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.

(2) 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.

(3) Accurately and promptly responds, in written and oral form, to information requests from the public and queries from the news media. These queries may include erroneous, speculative and/or negative comments or items of a sensitive nature; and those which may be subject to misunderstanding if not properly explained, or which may draw adverse public opinion or attention.

(4) The JFHQ-State PAO interacts and coordinates with multiple state and federal homeland defense and homeland security agencies, to include the state's emergency response departments and various federal agencies (i.e., Department of Energy (DOE), FEMA, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Transportation Safety Administration (TSA), DHS). The PAO's contacts are also with nationally or internationally known groups or individuals from these other agencies and often the contact is not routinely or easily established. Typically, each contact is conducted for different reasons and under different circumstances.

(5) Provides expertise, assistance and consultation to the TAG and state National Guard field offices in initiating and maintaining effective working relationships with the general public, specialized groups, the news media and community and governmental entities using National Guard capabilities and services in support of state or federal homeland defense missions. The JFHQ-State PAO represents the Adjutant General at meetings with senior level officials of state, NGB, DOD, DA, DAF, State Department , international government agencies and media outlets.

(6) While the J-6 is responsible for infrastructure (servers, hardware, software, etc), the JFHQ-State PAO is responsible for the content of any and all publicly accessible NG websites emanating in the state, or units usually assigned in the state. The PAO provides security review and approves any graphics, photos, and text before it can be posted to any NG website (DoD Directive 5230.9 Section 4.2). Prepares articles for publication in internal and external publications reporting on National Guard missions, programs, progress and achievements, especially in the Global War on Terrorism, Transformation, Deployments and Recruiting/Retention. Directs special events, ceremonies, tours and other activities intended to develop interest in National Guard programs and to generate positive interaction with the community and the media.

(7) Provides professional, seasoned analysis and advice to the Adjutant General, the TAG's staff and senior state National Guard leadership. Evaluates public affairs programs at the JFHQ-State level and in the field and recommends modifications when appropriate. Analyzes and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of the JFHQ-State's overall public communications (media relations/community relations/internal information) programs at field and HQ level, making changes and adjustments as required to improve performance and effectiveness in meeting objectives. The PAO assesses public opinion or attitudes along with anticipating public reactions to announcements or programs.

(8) Supervises and/or oversees a subordinate work force of state and federal military and civilian personnel in the JFHQ-State Public Affairs Office and/or the field or unit PAOs. Plans, schedules and assigns work; develops performance plans and evaluates work performance; identifies training needs; and counsels staff as appropriate. Responsible for quality and quantity of work produced; provides advice and guidance to subordinates on the application of new or changed policy and/or procedures; determines and recommends revision in staffing levels to meet changes in assigned functions and workloads.

(9) Performs other duties as assigned.

PLEASE CONTACT HRO FOR COMPLETE POSITION DESCRIPTION.

Conditions of employment

• NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact a National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position.
• This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the employing state's National Guard, required prior to the effective date of placement.
• Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform.
• Applicants who are not currently a member of the National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership and employment in the National Guard in the military grade listed in this announcement.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required.

Qualifications

MILITARY REQUIREMENTS: This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military grade in the Alabama Army National Guard. Applicants who are not currently a member of the Alabama Army National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact an Alabama Army National Guard recruiter at 800-464-8273 prior to applying for this position.

MINIMUM MILITARY RANK: CPT
MAXIMUM MILITARY RANK: LTC

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Each applicant must fully substantiate (in his/her own words) that he/she meets the requirements of the Specialized Experience listed below: Otherwise, the applicant will be considered unqualified for this position. DO NOT COPY THE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT OR THE POSITION DESCRIPTION. DOING SO MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FOR THE POSITION.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: 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: 1-year experience, education, or training equivalent to at least next lower grade level. Experience in managing the function of the work to be performed. Experience which includes leading, directing and assigning work of personnel.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:
- Comprehensive knowledge of the principals, methods, practices and techniques of communication to function as the JFHQ-State technical authority on all public affairs and community relations programs, problems and issues.

- Knowledge of the missions, goals, policies and issues impacting the Department of Defense, U.S. Army, Air Force, and the National Guard Bureau (NGB), and how these will influence the state's NG. Knowledge must be extensive on the many controversial and complex issues that regularly affect the National Guard.

- Skill in conveying complex information on Army and Air National Guard activities that affect state and national interests and may have international involvement and implications.

- Knowledge and skill to analyze public reaction and perceptions to National Guard programs and policies and provides recommendations to the TAG or the NGB that may significantly modify major programs or policies.

- Skill in integrating diverse points of view in communications plan which establish and maintain mutual understanding with various publics and state and federal agencies.

- Skill in analyzing public reaction to NG program and policies and in developing recommendations that may significantly modify major programs or policies

- Skill in developing and applying new approaches to the most difficult and complex public affairs problems by developing or evaluating information programs to enhance understanding among publics opposed to or indifferent to the NG's mission or programs;

- Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups interested in or affected by programs, creating meaningful, constructive communication interchanges.

- Skill in developing written materials to convey information concerning complex programs and functions to publics having diverse levels of understanding of the National Guard's programs and activities.

- Skill in responding orally to criticism of the National Guard's functions or performance, to logically and effectively explain complex programs, functions and activities and gain understanding and support of the organization's efforts by concerned publics.

- Knowledge of event planning and coordination to manage and advise staff on special event productions that may include the senior military officials, Governors, members of Congress, legislators and other state and local officials.

- Skill in meeting and dealing effectively with Governors, members of Congress, legislators and other state and local officials. Establishes effective lines of communication with a variety of individuals, at all government levels so state level NG activities, programs, capabilities and operations are clearly understood by these key constituencies.

- Skill in evaluating the effectiveness of the public affairs program, analyzing feedback from the media and public, and developing recommendations to improve the internal operation and enhance the overall public affairs program.

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. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

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 (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.) of employment and duties performed.

2. Other supporting documents: SF-50s, transcripts and DD 214s are recommended, but not required.

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