Duties
1. Plans and directs the activities of the organization. Manages and coordinates the collective efforts of a multi-disciplined staff that includes civilians, active-duty military and reserve component personnel. Oversees, monitors, and executes comprehensive communication and outreach initiatives on behalf of the Air Force. Directs Air Force Public Affairs activities in the director's absence. Identifies need for change in organization priorities and takes action to implement such changes. Plans work for subordinate
divisions. Sets and adjusts short and/or long-term priorities. Assigns tasks based on consideration of difficulty of the task and makes assignments such that the experience, training, and abilities of the staff are effectively utilized to meet organization and customer needs.
2. Provides Advice and Counsel to Senior Air Force leaders in order to effectively communicate AF positions vis-a-vis major issues and programs. Attends daily executive-level (SecAF/CSAF) meetings; discusses relevant PA issues, articulates engagement initiatives and recommends courses of action. Directs staff actions accordingly to meet desired objectives. Establishes, revises, or reviews policies, procedures, and mission objectives for the staff as necessary to resolve problems or eliminate barriers to mission accomplishment. Promotes team building and implements quality improvements. Serves as the AF liaison to OSD/PA (DoD).
3. Strategic Communication. Directs, coordinates, and oversees the AF Communication Integration Group and Working Group programs. Develops and implements strategic communication planning and execution through a formal Air Staff-level process. Identifies opportunities and requirements to articulate AF themes and messages to internal and external audiences. Synthesizes inputs for HAF functionals, Leads deliberate planning initiatives and orchestrates delivery medium(s), messenger(s), content and
timing in order to achieve desired outcomes.
4. Goals/Objectives. Establishes organizational objectives to meet short and long-range goals. Aligns objectives with Air Force priorities. Sets milestones and makes periodic and comprehensive assessments/evaluations to ensure objectives are achieved. Identifies and implements reform initiatives as necessary, then makes appropriate course corrections.
5. Budget and Contracting. Works in conjunction with the director of staff to approve terms and conditions set forth in contract negotiations, contracting plans, budgets, and changes to the scope of work. Reviews programming documents to determine their effect on the course of the assigned program(s). Evaluates requirements for additional resources submitted by subordinate supervisors, and balances organization needs with overall mission requirements and resource interests.
6. Supervisory Duties. Shares supervisory personnel management responsibilities over six (6) division chiefs and the Director of Staff (0-6 equivalents), and the Air Force Public Affairs Agency at Joint Base San Antonio, TX. Recommends selections for subordinate supervisory positions taking into consideration skills and qualifications, mission requirements, and EEO objectives. Explains performance expectations to subordinate supervisors and employees directly supervised and provides regular feedback on strengths and weaknesses. Appraises performance of subordinate supervisors and other employees.
7. Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) Force Management. Manages the IMA program consisting of 21 officer and enlisted reservists ranging in grade from E-5 to 0-6. Directs augmentation planning and total force integration efforts to balance a dynamic deployment operations tempo and Permanent Change of Station gains/losses against mission demands. Prioritizes augmentation requests among/between divisions and allocates man-days.
8. SAF/PA representative to the Air Force Board. Informs Program Objective Memorandum decisions and actions through the AF Corporate Structure. Articulates PA-related issues to other Board members and the Board Chair. Assures strategic communication considerations are included in relevant deliberations and Board recommendations to the Air Force Council. Advocates for PA-specific Program Element funding.
9. Legislative Liaison. Keeps abreast of the scope and intensity of legislative changes, economic trends and DoD and AP directives, and advises senior leaders concerning action necessary to affect changes and mitigate/minimize adverse effects. Directs reviews and evaluates long-range plans, policies and programs, and reviews trends and plans for their potential effect on SAP/PA programs and initiatives. Analyzes studies and reports from the Government Accountability Office, Congressional Budget Office and others and
reports to senior leadership on how those decisions effect the Air Force PA environment.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. citizenship is required
- Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
- Disclosure of Political Appointments
- Mobility is a condition of employment and appointment for SES members will be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligations Agreement
- Selected candidate must file a Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978
- Position has been designated Special-Sensitive and the selectee must have or be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance
- Drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use IAW Exec. Order 12564, dated 14 Sep 86. Position requires that the incumbent sign a Drug Testing letter and pass urinalysis testing prior to appointment.
- Position requires travel under conditions specified in the DoD Joint Travel Regulations. Incumbent is expected to travel on short notice to attend high-level meetings.
- Position may require incumbent to be available for other than normal duty hours to include weekends to support exercises and crisis planning.
- An initial SES career appointment becomes final only after the individual successfully completes a 1-year probationary period.
- Attendance to the Air Force's Senior Leader Orientation Course (SLOC) is generally required within 12 months of appointment, subject to course availability.
- Position may be subject to the post-government employment restrictions of Sections 207(a) and (f) of Title 18, United States Code.
- Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants.
Qualifications
Eligibility will be based upon a clear showing the applicant has training, education and experience of the scope and quality sufficient to effectively carry-out the duties of the position. Candidates must exemplify the corporate perspective, leadership vision, broad experience and character needed in the SES corps not only to satisfy the immediate vacancy, but future vacancies which will occur in a variety of organizations, functions and locations.
A. MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): (NTE 2 pages - PDF format) A supplemental statement must be submitted separately addressing each TQ. TQs must provide specific examples that address relevant experience and accomplishments. Applicants should focus on recent experience, education, and training, as some Recruitment Panel and Executive Resources Board members may consider experience that's over 10 years old to be outdated. Applicants must reflect superior technical qualifications demonstrated through leadership and management in the following:
1. Executive-level or senior management experience in government or large organizations with a focus on public affairs, communications, media relations, or a related field. Extensive experience in managing public relations and media communications, both at a strategic and operational level, to include, but not limited to, crisis communication, public information campaigns, speechwriting, and direct media relations with journalists, government agencies, and elected officials. Demonstrated ability to navigate complex political environments and influence decision-making at the highest levels. Possession of strong personal integrity and a demonstrated commitment to upholding high ethical standards in all communications and public-facing roles.
2. Demonstrated knowledge and ability leading policy development related to public affairs, media relations, or communications within a complex, public-sector environment working with internal and external stakeholders, such as elected officials, government agencies, advocacy groups, the media, and the public.
In addition, DoD requires an Enterprise Perspective. The individual must possess a broad point of view and an awareness and understanding of individual or organizational responsibilities in relation to DoD or government-wide strategic priorities. Executives should demonstrate ability to work with internal and external partners to support national security objectives. This perspective is typically gained through a variety of diverse work experiences. A separate narrative statement is not required--this information should be embedded within the application package [Resume (not to exceed 5 pages) and Technical Qualifications (not to exceed a combined total of 2 pages)].
Education
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is highly desired. A master's or advanced degree in public administration, business administration, international affairs, strategic communications, or mass communication and media studies is highly desired.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win...airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Reach and Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. Core competencies and distinctive capabilities are based on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.
SALARY: $184,363.00 - $207,500.00 per annum. (Air Force Tier 1) SES members are eligible for bonuses and/or ranks and stipends in addition to annual salary.
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Applications will be accepted from all qualified persons.
SES members are eligible for Performance-Based Salary increases and/or bonuses. This is a SES Career Reserved position and is assigned a precedence priority code of DV-6, Tier 1 for protocol purposes.
MOBILITY: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES and DISES leaders and generally is a key to advancement. Therefore, mobility is a condition of employment and appointed SES and DISES members will be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.
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.
A Resume-based Senior Executive Service (SES) Hiring Method will be used for this recruitment. This method provides an alternative to traditional submissions that requires applicants to submit a resume and 10-page written Executive Core Qualification (ECQ) narrative statement. A well-written resume for this announcement should demonstrate to Senior Hiring Officials that you possess the essential ECQs with supporting accomplishments. Applicants should incorporate ECQs and technical competencies as they write their resumes and can refer to the following OPM Link for additional guidance on SES Executive Qualifications: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/reference-materials/guidetosesquals_2012.pdf. In addition, the Department of the Air Force highly encourages applicants to seek mentoring assistance from a current SES member in preparing and/or reviewing their package.
PLEASE NOTE: This position will be filled under the FY2021 NDAA Section 1118, "Pilot Program for Initial Appointments to Senior Executive Service Positions in the Department of Defense (DoD)." This authority allows us to appoint qualified individuals to initial career appointments into the Senior Executive Service of the DoD without regard to 5 U.S.C. 3393(c).
A career SES appointment made under this authority does not guarantee that you will be eligible to transfer to another career SES appointment outside of the DoD without the need for you to compete. Other Federal agencies may require you to submit ECQs to OPM's QRB prior to your appointment in that agency.
Applications will be evaluated against the qualification's requirements. Failure to meet the Mandatory Technical Qualifications standards will eliminate a candidate from further consideration. Candidates will be evaluated for this position by a screening panel composed of senior executives and/or general officers selected for organizational and/or functional backgrounds relevant to this position. The panel discusses each application and reaches consensus on the resume packages demonstrating a high degree of the executive core qualifications and technical competencies. Only those applicants whose packages demonstrate a mastery of ECQs and technical competencies are selected for interviews. Post interview, the panel will then make a recommendation of those Best Qualified candidates who should be referred to the selecting official, in priority order. Final selection is contingent upon the Air Force Executive Resources Board and the Under Secretary of the Air Force.
REMINDER: Before uploading your required PDF documents (Resume, Technical Qualification narrative), please ensure they DO NOT EXCEED the noted page limits.
Required Documents
To receive full consideration, each applicant must submit the MANDATORY documents in the format as designated. Packages that do not include all of the required documents or meet format requirements will not be forwarded for consideration.
**************ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED IN PDF FORMAT*******************
The Qualifications Documents must be formatted using Times New Roman, size 12 font, with 1-inch margins. Do not use borders, provide photos, or list a Social Security Number on any of the Qualifications Documents. DO NOT COMBINE DOCUMENTS.
A. (Mandatory) Resume in the preferred format (Limit 5 Pages Total). Upload in PDF format. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.
B. (Mandatory) Technical Qualifications Statement addressing each of the TQs (Limit 2 Pages Total). Upload in PDF format and include the MTQ statement as indicated in the announcement.
C. Most recent completed Performance Appraisal (current and/or former federal employees) or Performance Report (OPR or EPR). For applicants in the private sector, please provide a copy of your equivalent Evaluation Report.
D. Most recent Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50, noting your current position, grade level and salary level (applies only to current or former civilian government employee).
E. College transcript(s) (copy is acceptable) which demonstrates the acceptable combinations of education and experience as noted by OPM.
F. (Mandatory) Military: Retired - a copy of your DD214 and/or Retirement orders; Active Duty - Are you an active duty service member with a statement of service showing that you expect to be honorably discharged or released from the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after submitting your application? PLEASE NOTE: you will be ineligible for consideration if your statement of service is not submitted with your application or it shows an expected discharge or release date greater than 120 days from the date of the submission of the certification. Documents are required.
G. (Optional): Ethnicity and Race Identification, SF-181 -- Form available at: https://www.opm.gov
H. (Optional): Self-Identification of Disability, SF-256 -- Form available at: https://www.opm.gov
How to Apply
Please follow the below instructions to submit applications. Any applications received that do not include all of the required documents or do not meet format requirements will not be forwarded for consideration.
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/17/2025.
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.
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.
PREFERRED RESUME FORMAT: (Limit 5 pages/Times New Roman 12-font) (Do Not Use the USAJOBS Resume Builder) - Please submit a typewritten resume (upload as a PDF), including the following information:
Job Information: Announcement number (MRL2025-8) and title of the position to which you are applying.
Personal Information: Full name, mailing address (with zip code), day and evening phone numbers (with area code) and complete e-mail address where you would like to receive correspondence regarding your application. **PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER**
Active-Duty/Retired Military: State highest rank held, date of promotion and date eligible to retire or date of retirement, (e.g., Colonel/June 2006/December 2014). NOTE: IAW 5 U.S.C. 3326, a 180-day waiver will be required for retired or retiring members of the armed forces during the period of 180 days immediately after retirement. Please note: you will be ineligible for consideration if your statement of service is not submitted with your application or it shows an expected discharge or release date greater than 120 days from the date of the submission of the certification.
Education: Educational information, including the name, city and state of colleges or universities you attended, as well as the type and year of any degree received. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For more information, you may refer to the following U.S. Department of Education website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
Work Experience: Give the following information for your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying: (Do not send job descriptions).
- Starting and ending dates (month and year)
- Job title (for government position, include civilian series and grade or military rank)
- Employer's name and address
- Supervisor's name and phone number, please indicate if we may contact your current supervisor
- Salary (current)
HELPFUL HINTS FOR YOUR RESUME:
- Reflect on the ECQs and think about how your past experiences and education relate to each ECQ.
- Read the vacancy announcement carefully.
- Adhere to the 5-page limitation (in PDF format and 12 point font)
- Quantify your accomplishments.
* Applicants should focus on recency of experience - Recruitment Panels, Executive Resources Boards, and Hiring Officials may consider experience over 10 years outdated.
* Seek mentoring assistance from a current SES or equivalent to review your package before submission.
References: Provide the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three individuals who can comment on your qualifications for this position. Please do not list supervisors already listed above.
This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify this office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.
SAF/MRL CONTACT INFORMATION: Questions regarding this announcement may be directed to Ms. Keirsten Ramon at keirsten.ramon@us.af.mil.
Next steps
Once your application package is received an acknowledgement email will be sent.
If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications for consideration. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.
To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select My Applications, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
If you do not provide an email address, you are responsible for checking status updates and notifications in USAJOBS. Hard copy notifications will not be sent to you.