Summary Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a public affairs specialist in an Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) wing/group. The responsibilities of the position include acting as the primary assistant to the PA officer in executing the commander's public affairs program to include internal information, media relations, community relations, employer and family support. Responsibilities Prepare internal information print products such as newspaper/magazine for publication. Perform work for the production/maintenance of electronic and web-based information products. Assist public affairs officer (PAO) with wing's community and congressional relations programs and developing and maintaining the employer support program. Respond to media queries concerning special events, mobilizations, exercises, aircraft incidents or accidents. Assist public affairs officer (PAO) and advise managers regarding public affairs program activities, performing a variety of both substantive and general administrative tasks. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in federal service which equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience is experience which may have been gained while using of a variety of standard print media and interpersonal communication techniques in developing and conducting a public affairs program conveying news and information to internal and external audiences. OR EDUCATION: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education in an appropriate field leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT COPIES OF YOUR TRANSCRIPTS. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100 percent. To combine education and experience, determine the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level. Then determine the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR TRANSCRIPT. To view qualifying educational requirements and/or combination of education and experience, click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1000/public-affairs-series-1035/ 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 public affairs concepts, principles, practices, and techniques including internal, community, and media relations to establish, implement, and maintain a proactive program. Knowledge of written and oral communication principles, methods, and techniques to conduct and coordinate public affairs activities to include producing written information for and making oral presentations to a variety of audiences with different levels of understanding. Knowledge of the principles and methods of newspaper publishing, including editing, layout, and makeup. Skill in planning, developing and editing new stories. Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting data to arrive at valid conclusions and offer meaningful recommendations. Skill in establishing effective working relationships with people sharing similar goals and interests. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work is primarily sedentary with minor physical activity while traveling to and from on-site locations and while conducting base tours and trips. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in a typical office setting or studio. However, field trips in support of public affairs activities often expose incumbent to inclement weather and everyday risks and discomforts. 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. 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. Additional Information Individuals on active duty may apply 120 days before separation date and should indicate in their application their military separation date. Reservists who are mobilized may submit a copy of their mobilization orders or a statement in their application stating they are available within 120 days. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information 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 in the "Highly Qualified" or "Best Qualified" Category on the rating criteria for this vacancy. 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. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement. All Federal Employees are required by PL 104-134 to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.