Duties
1. Coordinates the planning and development of complex, high level public affairs assignments in support of commander's programs and priorities. Carries out public affairs tasks that support the wing commander's priorities through the integration of visual information, social media, community engagement, command information, communication planning, contingency/crisis response, media operations, environmental, security and policy review, and public affairs resource management activities. Responds to requests for information, materials and support; and plans and conducts community engagement activities with community officials and groups. This includes providing and/or clearing material concerning controversial unit activities such as hazardous operations, costly acquisitions, and equal opportunity issues upon request by media representatives. Maintains an active web/social media presence, provides visual information services for documentation and/or publicity purposes and plans and arranges news media coverage. Evaluates the propriety and advisability of agency support of/ participation in local activities, programs, and events. For approved events, coordinates support requests from community and community groups, schools, news media organizations, and others to include requests for interviews, speakers, tours, bands, honor guards, and aviation support and support of local observances and celebrations.
2. Researches, drafts, coordinates, produces, and reviews public affairs products such as, web-based content, photographs, videos, news and feature articles, news releases, talking points, fact sheets, briefings, speeches and scripts, newsletters, and other materials. These items are designed with the objective of effectively communicating agency activities, programs, and policies to a variety of internal and external stakeholders. Modifies standard methods and adapts approaches in developing new information materials aimed at enhancing the understanding of groups or individuals of significant issues concerning agency programs. Identifies potential problems or areas of friction and advises management officials concerning the causes of the problems and suggested methods for resolving them. Confers with program specialists, action officers, and other subject matter experts to obtain the latest and most accurate information and imagery approved for public release.
3. Maintains effective working relationships with officials of various senior wing leadership, civic, news media, community groups, Department of Defense personnel, as well as local, state and national government officials, and the general public. Attends meetings and maintains professional contacts. Explains public affairs policies and procedures and resolves most problems that arise. Determines appropriate recommendations for unresolved issues and performs follow up. Participates in special assignments and projects. Maintains effective relationships with DoD personnel, National, State and local officials, to include their respective State PAOs, who are critical target groups, needed to maintain effective working relationships and ongoing communications between the Wing and State.
4. Manages audio visual equipment for section. Appointed as the Wing Visual Information Manager per current DoD directives. Stays abreast of current visual information methodology and technological developments. Manages budget and procures new equipment and supplies. Plans, organizes, and carries out the visual information program. Provides photographic editing and processing, and video support, for alert missions to include mishaps. Provides historical documentation support. Designs, creates, and assembles materials for presentations, publications, and exhibits. Selects visual materials such as, photographs and graphics used in the communication of information. Designs the placement and appearance of visual materials; designs the placement of text in relation to art; decides type styles and typographical effects; and, plans effective use of color schemes, textures, and shapes in consideration of technical constraints to particular communication methods for example, printed distribution, exhibit, or oral presentation. Tailors products to best suit various public forums. Provides guidance and acts as a liaison to visiting non-military organizational photo crews, to include public news media photographers, who request to conduct photography activities.
DUTIES PERFORMED UNDER EDUCATION
Requirements
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.
Compatible military grade and assignment required prior to the effective date of placement. This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the employing state's National Guard. Applicants who are not currently a member of the National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership in the military grade listed below. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform.
Military Grades: Enlisted
- Minimum Military Grade: NLT E-4/SrA
- Maximum Military Grade: NTE E-6/TSgt
Compatible Military Assignments: Selectee must be a member of the Arkansas Air National Guard.
IMPORTANT NOTES (AS APPLICABLE): Upon selection for this position, individual must possess or initiate a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) background investigation. A favorable determination based upon investigative results is mandatory for this position. Failure to meet these requirements will result in termination of employment. A pre-placement physical is required if not already current. Upon selection, must complete mandatory Full-Time Support (FTS) Training at the Professional Education Center (PEC) within six months of assignment (if applicable, training will be coordinated by the supervisor). Individual must meet all military requirements of the position without creating a grade inversion, as determined by the Human Resources Office (HRO). Technicians will not be militarily senior to their full-time supervisor or wage leader (Grade Inversion). Enlisted members currently at a higher grade than allowed by the position (see Military Grade Requirement above) may apply; however, they must administratively reduce prior to appointment and provide confirmation of the reduction to HRO.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS ARE LISTED UNDER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Qualifications
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:
Experience, 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.
Education
DUTIES CONTINUED:
5. Creates new, adapts, or modifies accepted communication campaign formats to reach a target audience with a specific message. The selection of a communication campaign format is based on an analysis of targeted audience demographics and message content. After an informational campaign has been implemented, solicited and unsolicited response data is gathered to assess campaign effectiveness in reaching the target audience. If the campaign's results do not meet expectations, the incumbent identifies concern issues, develops alternatives, and after discussing these with the appropriate administrative personal, implements the most appropriate options.
6. Performs other duties as assigned.
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.
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. 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.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, general and specialized experience):
The knowledge of and ability to apply written and oral communication principals, practices, techniques and methods serves as the foundation for the completion of assignments. Equally important to the performance of duties is knowledge of interpersonal relations practices and the ability to apply statistical methods to the analysis of program data. The incumbent applies research skills to locate archived subject specific print and broadcast media materials and utilizes these as historical background material for developing current articles on the same subject or issue. Applies general and specializes statistical methods to the analysis of communication campaign surveys to assess communication campaign effectiveness in reaching the desired target audience. Applies these same statistical methods to the analysis of public affairs program effectiveness and efficiency in reaching established goals and objectives. Utilizes personal judgment and knowledge of wing level ANG programs and their issues to determine if controversial information should be released for internal/external public use. Applies inter-personal communication skills to the building of effective relationships with media representatives, community groups and other internal/external audiences, to insure open lines of communication between the wing's ANG PA office and potential audiences. FL 1-8 is not met. At this level, assignments require an in-depth knowledge of a variety of PA programs, activities and functions and a mastery of communication principals, methods and techniques in order to resolve issues that are controversial with many and often divergent opinions which require deeper analysis to identify specific issues for discussion and the ability to communicate the ANG's position in a manner that is not offending or inflammatory. These expectations are in excess of those associated with this position. The incumbent in this position is expected to possess a working knowledge of programs and advanced communication skills in order to inform and educate a public or special interest group on the purpose and details of ANG programs, activities or functions. Although sometimes controversial, most issues are resolved with a modification to standardized communication practices that clarify or articulate the ANG's rationale for their decision and/or approach.
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 (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.