PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST (TECHNICAL ADVISER) - DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY
About This Position
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a supervisor, planning, directing, organizing, and exercising control over nonsupervisory employees; serve as Deputy Public Affairs (PA) Chief and Operations Section Chief; manage PA programs and provide oversight of functions. Serves as second in responsibility with the PA Officer (PAO) for the 88 ABW PA program.
Qualifications
Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Group Coverage Qualifications Standard for Administrative and Management Positions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-03, equivalent to the next lower grade GS-13 or equivalent in other pay systems. Specialized experience is experience identifying communication needs and developing informational materials that inform appropriate publics of the agency's policies, programs, services and activities, and experience planning, executing, and evaluating the effectiveness of information and communication programs in furthering agency goals.
NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of a wide range of Public Affairs and Visual Information principles, concepts, and methods, as well as substantive knowledge and general understanding of Air Force and AFMC programs and policies. Substantive knowledge of public affairs core competencies, policies, regulations, practices and theories.
Knowledge of safety and security regulations, practices, and procedures. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions and staff of a small to medium sized organization. Ability to analyze complexities of existing technology, review/revise/develop policy, initiate plans for enhancements, and provide management sufficient technical and cost analysis information, through written documentation and oral briefings, to render informed judgments.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups. Ability to apply advanced communication and analytical practices, methods and techniques, as well as to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Knowledge of techniques, principles, and procedures to direct or conduct staff assistance visits of field Public Affairs offices.
Knowledge of the organization's policy and planning formulation process along with its missions and objectives to prepare PAO policies and plans. Knowledge of budgetary processes and analysis of performance data to prepare persuasive budget recommendations in support of PAO requirements. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.
You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Major Duties
Serves as Deputy Public Affairs Chief and Operations Section Chief. Manages PA programs and provides oversight of functions within PA. Serves as second in responsibility with the PAO for the 88 ABW Public Affairs program.
Advises commanders and their staff on the communication implications of plans, policies, and programs. Provides PA inputs to operational plans. Inspects and evaluates PA activities and programs. Oversees procedures used in collecting, evaluating, and disseminating news and information.
Monitors and ensures compliance with applicable DOD, Air Force, MAJCOM, and local policy. Ensures compliance with law, established policies, directives, and practices. Performs other duties as assigned.
DUTY 1: Serves as Deputy Chief of Public Affairs in absence of the Chief on an ad hoc basis. Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the organization's Public Affairs program. DUTY 2: Serves as Technical Adviser, subject-matter expert, and senior leader on public affairs and other assigned areas of responsibility.
DUTY 3: Coordinates and leads staff meetings, Public Affairs Office (PAO)-hosted conferences, and visits to external commands and agencies. Ideal Candidate: Has 10 or more years in the Public Affairs career field as a 1035 with a diverse assignment background with 5 or more years of supervisory experience leading small and/or large multidisciplinary teams. Have experience advising senior leaders and/or executives on PA matters at a headquarters level with a high understanding of military culture and customs and courtesies.
Be able to serve as the Acting Chief when required; therefore, advising and leading junior supervisors. Have experience building and fostering a positive office culture to maintain es sprit de corps for an PA organization with a high pace/ volume mission. Experience managing an annual budget of $150K+ with an execution and lifecycle management plan, to include managing multiple government purchase card holders.
Experience managing real world crisis events and be able to display calm leadership under pressure. Be familiar with military and/or governmental legislative/congressional affairs and operations. Understand DAFI & DODI Public Affairs/Visual Information and NEPA policy to adhere to regulatory requirements.
Have management or technician experience as a public affairs specialist, photographer, journalist, videographer, or visual information technician, to serve as the 88 ABW PA technical adviser to the office and command team. Have formal Defense Information School training for Public Affairs (Public Affairs & Communication Strategy Qualification Course - PACSQ).
Education
ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education.
Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements.
You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.
Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further. APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.
Additional Information
AcqDemo Expanded Probationary Period for Supervisors and Managers: An additional supervisory probationary period of one year may be required when an employee is officially assigned to a different supervisory position. This is an acquisition demonstration project position NH-04 equivalent to a GS-14 to GS-15. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position.
You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): 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.
Click here for more information.
This job announcement will be used to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.
How to Apply
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/13/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12933806 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. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1.
Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors.
Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present).
If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09.
Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy.
Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume.
- A complete Application Questionnaire
- Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name.
- Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS: Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Awards for Current Federal Civilian Employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume.
Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s). 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.
Required Documents
The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming.
Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming. Online Application: Questionnaire Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts.
You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply". Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following: Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member Branch of Armed Forces Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s) Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty Terminal leave start date (if applicable) Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement) Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.
Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.