Clarification from the agency

This is a Title 5 Civilian Position - You must be a United States Citizen in order to be eligible for this position. You must be an on Board Federal National Guard Employee within VANG employed with PAO. Note: This advertisement will close after receiving 10 qualified applications.

As a Public Affairs Specialist (Title 5) (Permanent)-Title 5, GS-01035-13, you will perform the below duties:

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. Each state includes a large number of National Guard armories, along with flight facilities, maintenance facilities, air installations, training sites and ranges.
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. 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.
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. The JFHQ-State PAO plans, develops, and conducts press conferences and public meetings with full participation of National Guard subject matter experts to promote and enhance understanding and acceptance of the National Guard's mission and facilitate the communication of complex information on new programs or special areas of emphasis.
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. Ensures a close and continuous coordination between public affairs activities and state and federal congressional delegations.
6. 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
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.
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.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a trial period.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an off er of employment for this NG Title5 excepted service position.
• All job seekers will be required to limit their resumes to 2 pages in length when applying for job opportunity announcements (JOAs)
• This position is not located at a bargaining unit.

Qualifications

Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume.

NOTE: All job seekers will be required to limit their resumes to 2 pages in length when applying for job opportunity announcements(JOAs).

WHO CAN APPLY: GROUP A1 - All on Board Federal National Guard Employees within VANG employed with PAO.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have experience, education or training in public, community and media relations within the state and for providing supervision and direction to leadership.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants musthave at least 12 months of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-12 level, or equivalent pay band in other pay systems in the Federal government? This experience may also have been obtained in the private sector but must demonstrate that it is comparable to the GS grade indicated. This experience must include activities such as:

1. Experience, education, or training involving a thorough knowledge of writing and communication principles, methods and techniques that relate to public affairs of the military.
2. Experience making on-the-spot presentations to audiences with opposing points of view or erroneous understanding of agency positions
3. Experience in managing the function of the work to be performed.
4. Experience which includes leading, directing and assigning work of personnel.

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 and other characteristics):

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

1. Your resume showing:

• Contact Information-your name and the best way to contact you.
• Relevant work experience-include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and describe how you meet the required qualifications of the job. Federal jobs should include series and grade.
• Education, certifications or licensures.

2. Other supporting documents: SF50 for current Federal Technicians

3.Transcripts: If using education as a substitute for specialized experience.

Priority Placement Program

1. Applicants claiming Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and Help National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible must submit the following documentation:
- Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-3)
- Termination SF-50 Separation stating that the applicant has Priority Placement Eligibility
- Notice of Separation confirming of eligibility.

2. Applicants claiming Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement must submit the following documentation:
- Military Reserve and Technician Disability PPP Self Certification Checklist (DD 3145-2)
-Termination SF-50 Separation stating that the applicant has Priority Placement Eligibility
- Notice of Separation confirming of eligibility.

3. Applicants claiming DOD Military Spouse preference must submit the following documentation:
- Marriage Certificate
- Spouses PCS Orders
- Military Spouse PPP Self Certification Checklist

Veterans Preference (Applicants must submit documentation for Veterans Preference. If no documents are provided the agency cannot establish Veterans Preference and will not begiven preference.) If you are claiming veterans' preference, please submit the following documents. Please see Feds Hire Vets for detail.

1. Veterans claiming 5-point veterans' preference must submit legible copy of yourDD214(s) that indicates the Character of Service at discharge. 5-point preference will not be granted if appropriate documentation is not submitted with your application.
2. 30% Disabled Veterans must submit legible copy of your DD214(s) that indicates the Character of Service at discharge, and VA Disability Letter with percentage of disability OR documentation of disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.
3. Other 10-point Preference Eligible must submit legible copy of your DD214(s) that indicates the Character of Service at discharge and provide documentation of your other10-point preference. If claiming 10 point preference, you must provide required documentation described on the back of theSF-15 which proves that you are entitled to such preference. 10-point preference will not be granted if appropriate documentation is not submitted with your application.
4. If you are a current active-duty military member who does not have a DD214 and is claiming preference under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces indicating that you will be discharged or released under honorable conditions from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. Certifications must be on letterhead from the appropriate military branch and include the following information: military dates of service and expected discharge or release date, character of service, military rank, type of discharge and date when terminal leave will begin. Certifications must be signed by, or by direction of military members' military personnel off ices, unit commanders or higher headquarters. These documents must be submitted for your application to be considered complete. If you do not submit all the above referenced documents your application WILL NOT be forwarded to the nominating official. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, your application can and will be disqualified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your qualifications. If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified, and you will no longer be considered for this position.

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