PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Department: Department of the Air Force

Location(s): Flowood, Mississippi

Salary Range: $88621 - $115213 Per Year

Job Summary: THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION THAT REQUIRES MILITARY MEMBERSHIP. This National Guard position is for a PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST, Position Description Number PDD2418000 and is part of the Mississippi National Guard.

Major Duties:

• As a PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST, GS-1035-12, you will serve as the Public Affairs Specialist responsible for all public, community and media relations (including international media) programs for the unit. This position is located at the Wing Public Affairs Office. The incumbent performs the following duties: Plans, develops, implements, and evaluates a diverse and strategic Public Affairs (PA) program through media and audience analysis, determines PA program needs and organizational direction to achieve unit goals. Formulates long range plans, and develops policies to enhance public understanding, support, and acceptance of unit programs and activities at local, state, national and international levels, which includes the international training and remotely piloted aircraft missions. Advises the Wing Commander and Wing leadership on sensitive or controversial PA matters, to include international affairs related to the training of international students from multiple foreign countries and remotely piloted aircraft foreign and domestic operations. Advises the state Public Affairs Officer, and potentially The Adjutant General (TAG) and Air Component Commander, Air Force and National Guard Bureau Public and representatives on substantive issues related to the Wings flying mission. Develops and writes information materials designed to reach domestic and international audiences through various media such as wire service, radio, television, magazines, newspaper online and social media. Prepares materials specifically to explain or describe the unit mission, international training program, requirements, capabilities, accomplishments, policies and programs. Written materials include news releases, radio spot and television announcements, fact sheets, feature stories, background statements, special reports, etc. for both local and international media sources. Establishes and implements short and long range plans for print and electronic media programs. Coordinates, supervises, and evaluates media servicing activities. Targets and services state and national media markets with print, photographic and electronic materials in support of publicizing the mission of the Wing. Responds to media requests for information of both a routine and controversial nature. Prepares or assembles information kits, edits and rewrites informational material, releases photographs, video and/or other stories of interest stories to news media, studies current issues, coordinates news interviews, and prepares questions to be addressed, arranges photographic and electronic media coverage of newsworthy events involving the Wing, ensures maintenance of unclassified photo library of appropriate material for news releases, and coordinates public affairs airlift and orientation flights for media representatives. Provides PA advice concerning the Wing Mission and state Public Affairs Officer, USAF, NGB Public and TAG, Air Component Commander, Wing leadership, Commander and staff in support of policies and programs of interest to internal audiences. Provides advice and guidance to Wing leadership on sensitive and controversial matters concerning international partners and policies related to PA issues. Analyzes, coordinates, and updates Command Information (CI) plans, policies and programs related to all public, community and media relations (including international media) programs for all unit missions. Prepares and coordinates special projects to inform all guard members, technicians, families and employers of new policies, programs, or activities. Provides guidance and support to subordinate commands on CI matters. Coordinates CI projects with NGB staff or other agencies as appropriate. Researches and analyzes trends in attitudes and opinions of internal audiences to redevelop/refine CI plans and policies. Oversees production of print and electronic media CI projects. As the PA representative for the Wing, establishes and maintains close working relationships with officials of various civic, media, veterans, and community groups, as well as state and federal government officials outside the NG. Expands the base of public support through such relationships, and promotes the interests of NG programs which may be at odds with interests of respective groups. Serves as point of contact with veterans' organizations or defense related associations requesting information from the unit. Responds to public requests and develops materials that expound on the nature and purpose of the unit and the foreign pilot training program. Also responds to requests for information under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED: This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the National Guard. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform. Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment. MILITARY MEMBERS WITH BONUSES: Upon acceptance of a military technician position military members who are currently receiving a military Reenlistment/Extension Bonus (REB) or GI Bill-SR Kicker may lose incentive eligibility and may be subject to termination or suspension of incentive (includes indefinite and temporary technicians on assignment for more than 180 days in any continuous 12-month period). GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Experience, education, or training in administrative, professional, investigative and/or technical work. Experience evaluating information and/or utilizing analytical skills to disseminate effective communication. Experience using computers and automation systems. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Must have at least 36 months 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. If your resume does not include a narrative description of how you meet the GENERAL, SPECIALIZED experiences, and OTHER requirements, you may lose consideration for this position. Ensure that the Questionnaire is completed online in Application Manager. NOTES TO CANDIDATES: a. Situations of inversion of military rank are not permitted, i.e., a military technician may not be militarily senior to his or her full-time supervisor. b. Candidates may be screened and evaluated on military attributes directly related to the compatible military position required to be assigned into, such as, but not limited to, military bearing, leadership, or ability to work with others (teamwork) in a military environment. c. Include any volunteer work experience in your resume. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). d. Final selection will be based upon qualifications, suitability, and available manpower resources. e. This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. f. Multiple vacancies may be filled from this announcement. g. If this announcement results in a temporary promotion for the selectee, it may become permanent at any time without further competition dependent on funding and manpower requirements.

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12865169~ A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-27