Summary THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 5 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION This National Guard position is for a PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST (Title 5), Position Description Number T5276000 and is part of the AR ARNG COMMAND ADMIN OFC, National Guard. Responsibilities 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. Geographical area encompasses the state along with any areas the MPADs are assigned which include regional, CONUS (national) and OCONUS (international); each with varied audiences. In any case, with the potential impacts of public affairs actions, the PAO's responsibilities and duties are as encompassing as the Guard as a whole. The JFHQ-State PAO must provide the full range of effective public information, command/internal information, and community relations services to support the National Guard's large and complex organization statewide. The JFHQ-State PAO plans, directs, and executes command/internal information, media and community relations campaigns to convey sensitive and complex information concerning the National Guard's state and federal programs, responsibilities, and activities. The PAO exhibits a mastery of communication principals and techniques along with continuously developing and applying new approaches to the most difficult and complex issues by developing or evaluating information programs that enhance understanding among publics opposed to or indifferent to National Guard mission or programs. The PAO analyzes public reaction to NG programs and policies then adjusts accordingly by developing recommendations that may impact or significantly modify NG major programs or policies. The JFHQ-State PAO must include diverse points of view in communications plan that establish and maintain mutual understanding with various publics in local communities, in the state, the region, and which may impact the NG nationally. The scope, effect and implications of the JFHQ-State PAO's duties are wide; affecting the NG locally, state-wide, nationally and internationally. Throughout the communications process the JFHQ-State PAO analyzes and re-analyzes the clarity and effectiveness of public affairs initiatives and adjusts them as needed. The JFHQ-State PAO is guided by general policies that cannot encompass the huge variety of specifics that apply to public affairs. Frequently, there are no precedents applicable to unusual or sensitive public issues or problems encountered by the PAO and the PAO exercises considerable professional judgment in interpreting and adapting existing guidelines and precedents and using them as a basis for developing new approaches that coordinate and integrate various aspects of the mission to help create a unified public affairs strategy or plan. The public affairs specialist serves as an NG authority in the development and interpretation of guidelines in the public affairs arena. The PAO is responsible for interpreting applicable general policy and statutory mandates (state, NG, DA, DAF and DOD) and applying these to unusual or sensitive public affairs issues or problems found at the agency level. DUTIES CONTINUED UNDER EDUCATION Requirements Conditions of Employment Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation. May be required to successfully complete a probationary period. Participation in direct deposit is mandatory. Information Assurance Certification is a condition of employment. Per DoD 8570.01-M, the incumbent must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment of these duties. Must be able to obtain/maintain appropriate security clearance 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: 1-year experience, education, or training equivalent to at least next lower grade level. 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: 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. The reach of individual state's DMO is international while the implication and scope of DMO is national; the PAO frequently represents and speaks on the behalf of the Adjutant General and the National Guard as a whole, with a profound effect on the reputation and image of the NG. As a member of the TAGs special staff, the PAO is provided direction through broadly defined public affairs program regulations or guidance common to all career fields. The JFHQ-State PAO is responsible for independently planning, designing and carrying out major program functions, informing the TAG of progress as needed. The PAO is considered technically authoritative and his/her decisions are normally accepted without significant change. Particularly sensitive or controversial issues may be reviewed at headquarters level, but is generally accepted as "need to know". New projects and programs are evaluated in terms of resources, goals, or priorities. All of which may impact one local installation, the NG state-wide or the Guard as a whole. 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. Typically, the PAO conducts in-depth research, synthesizes the information and presents it to the media or public in an organized, cogent manner. The variety of information encompasses the full range of issues and subjects involving the Guard. From sexual assault to savings bonds, from ballistic missiles to "green" bullets, the PAO must be adept at conveying information quickly and accurately in a clear, easily understood manner. Public misunderstanding or indifference to NG programs and policies is common. The PAO develops alternative communication strategies that enable the NG to establish and maintain mutual understanding with the various publics. The PAO's work affects both the success of major NG programs and the social and economic well-being of substantial numbers of people in the groups affected - military, civilians, and military families. Effective, professional working relationships are established and maintained with the representatives of the print and broadcast media and national organizations (i.e., DHS, FEMA, DA, DAF, etc - and national organizations, such as Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy). 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. Additionally, these contacts are meetings with nationally known members of the news media, national leaders of civic or trade organizations having an interest in or affected by agency policies or programs, State governors, mayors of large cities or high-level county or regional governmental officials. The JFHQ-State PAO is responsible for explaining or defending significant or controversial NG actions or decisions, and to mediate between groups or individuals with differing points of view on NG program or policy issues. Plainly, while interacting with any group or individual outside the Guard, the PAO viewed as the authoritative representative of the National Guard, as a whole. Performs other duties as assigned. Additional Information Veteran Preference may apply if the first area of consideration are not met. Veterans Information: Veterans' information must be validated by formal submissions including all necessary supporting documentation. You must provide acceptable documents for eligibility. Acceptable documentation may be: 1. A copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. 2. A "certification" that is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. 3. You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center or online. If claiming over 30% disability a SF-15 is required to be submitted with your letter. NOTE: Prior to appointment, an agency will require the service member to provide a copy of the DD-214. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).