PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Department: Department of the Air Force

Location(s): South Burlington, Vermont

Salary Range: $62359 - $81065 Per Year

Job Summary: THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION. This National Guard position is for an Public Affairs Specialist, Position Description Number D2383000 and is part of the 158th Fighter Wing Command of the Vermont Air National Guard.

Major Duties:

• The primary purpose of this position is to carry-out a wide range of public affairs assignments that include social media, media operations, community engagement, command information, communication planning, contingency/crisis response, environmental, security, policy review, and public affairs resource management in support of the mission and the commander's priorities. The position modifies standard methods, evaluates the effectiveness of information, and adapts approaches in developing new informational materials aimed at enhancing the understanding of recipients. MAJOR DUTIES: 1) Prepares internal and external public affairs products for distribution through social media, DVIDS, wing website, and release to civilian media, as applicable. Researches and writes stories/articles and rewrites material intended for distribution. Shoots related photos and video, as required. Edits and revises products for style, format and content; and, reviews and edits photography and artwork for quality and composition. May design overall products. Accesses public affairs' products to DVIDS per current DoD procedures. Responds to requests for information, materials, and support; and, plans and conducts community engagement activities with community officials and groups. Maintains an active web/social media presence; provides visual information services for documentation and/or publicity purposes; and, plans and arranges news media coverage. For approved events, coordinates support of requests from community and community groups, schools, news media organizations, and others to include requests for interviews, speakers, tours, bands, honor guards, and aviation support and support of local observances and celebrations. Prepares and ensures distribution of customer satisfaction/opinion surveys on internal information products. Evaluates feedback to determine customer needs and uses comments to improve future output. Makes positive suggestions to the supervisor for changes in approach and adoption of new techniques. 2) Performs work for the production/management/maintenance of electronic and web-based information products. Implements and ensures the quality of the Hometown News Release program. Publicizes the programs, monitors, logs, and disseminates releases. Writes draft and final versions of news releases, feature articles, speeches, fact sheets, and brochures for internal and external audiences. Updates unit mission briefings and develops additional informational briefings as needed. Confers with program specialists, action officers, and other subject matter experts to obtain the latest and most accurate information and imagery approved for public releases. Prepares requests for photographer or graphic support; takes photographs; and, selects and edits photographs and electronic images to accompany articles and media releases. Provides historical documentation support. Provides photographic and video support for alert mission to include mishaps. Performs security reviews on information placed on the unit's public web-page and social media feed(s). Assists in the overall design of unit's web "home-page". 3) Organizes, coordinates, publicizes and conducts periodic events with local organizations such as, community councils, local governments, Chamber of Commerce, and, state and national legislative offices. Assists with organizing and conducting larger events such as, Civic Leader Tours, Base Open-House activities, and Armed Forces Days, which are designed to promote positive relations between the base and surrounding communities. Accomplishes administrative support work such as, preparing correspondence, press kits and handouts, arranging for passes, and compiling data. Responds to and processes requests from community organizations and individuals for military support and/or participation in various events such as, orientation flights, PA travel on military aircraft, flyovers, parades, fairs, and conventions. Assists in evaluating the events' primary purpose, potential risk factors, and benefits to the ANG. Recommends speakers and assists in training unit members for speaking engagements. Provides speech materials, topics, and objectives used by wing personnel. Organizes, coordinates and conducts wing tours for civic groups, media representatives, students and distinguished visitors. Ensures tour itineraries focus on improving ANG image and furthering base community relations and involvement activities. Prepares and monitors materials for the commander's civil leader/distinguished visitor program. Briefs visitors on the ANG and Wing's mission, impacts and contributions to DoD, the Air Force, and the community. 4) Responds, in a timely manner, to media queries concerning special events, mobilizations, exercises, aircraft incidents, or accidents. Clears responses with appropriate authority before releasing information. **REFER TO PD FOR FULL LIST OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES**

Qualifications: NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED: This is a Title 32 excepted service position that requires membership in the Vermont Air 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. OPEN AREAS OF CONSIDERATION: AREA 1, 2 Area I: All current On-board Permanent and Indefinite Dual Status 32 and Title 5 (Competitive and Excepted) Technicians (Tenure: 1-Career, 2-Conditional, 3-Indefinite) - Only those Vermont National Guard members who are in permanent or indefinite technician status as a result of being competitively hired within that National Guard component applying for a position within the component which they are currently employed. Area II: All Members of the Vermont Air National Guard. Military Grade: Enlisted: Rank will be individually addressed upon selection up to TSgt/E6 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE GS-09 :- Experience, education, or training involving knowledge of writing, communication principles, methods and techniques that relate to the public affairs of an agency. Experience in applying and adapting knowledge of strictly controlled situations of an agency. Experience writing articles on routine events of non-controversial subjects. Experience responding timely and appropriately to requests for information concerning agency programs and services. Experience participating in meetings with specialized groups to listen to and understand feedback on agency programs that are of particular interest to public. Length of time is not of itself qualifying. Candidates' experience should be evaluated on the basis of duties performed rather than strictly on the rank of the individual; however, established compatibility criteria/assignments must be followed. The applicant's record of experience, training, and education must show possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to fully perform the duties of the position to be filled. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics: -Knowledge of public affairs concepts, principles, practices, and techniques including internal, social media, community, and media relations to establish, implement, and maintain a proactive program. -Knowledge of the principles and methods of mass communication media and skill in applying principles and using methods in conducting an internal information program providing all unit members with relevant news and necessary information. -Knowledge of the practices and techniques in planning and developing news stories and feature articles in laying out a newspaper. Skill in using DSLR cameras for static and video usage. -Skill in utilizing Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, and MS Office programs. -Skill in evaluating the news value or communication potential of visual material including photographs and illustrations. -Skill in writing and editing news and feature articles. -Skill in public relations, interpersonal and mass communication for developing effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and organizations interested in, or affected by, wing/base/ANG programs and policies. -Skill in evaluating the appropriateness of information to be released. -Knowledge of written and oral communication principles, concepts, and techniques. -Knowledge and skill sufficient to analyze the organization's information program materials and offer recommendations for improving the delivery of program information to affected individuals. 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. OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & NOTES: -This position is subject to the Lautenberg amendment to the gun control act of 1968 which makes it a felony for anyone who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence to ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms or ammunition. Civilian personnel of the Department of the Defense are not exempt from this provision. This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this -This is not a permanent appointment. -This is an indefinite tenure appointment not to exceed 09/30/2026 -The incumbent will be separated at the expiration of the term of appointment. -Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission. Please be advised: 1. Specialized experience will be used to determine qualifications for the announced position. 2. An applicant's RESUME must provide, in detail, how they meet the specialized experience listed. 3. It must be documented with "from (mm/yy)" and "to (mm/yy)" dates and description of the specialized experience. 4. If education or a degree is required as part of the "Specialized Experience", you must include transcripts. DO NOT copy the specialized experience qualifications word for word and place into your resume; you must describe your personal experience as it pertains to each statement.

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. 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: 2026-01-12