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HQ USAF and Support Elements

Strategic Communications Program Management Specialist

Location: Arlington, Pentagon
Requires Relocation: Yes
Start Date: 26/01/2026
End Date: 06/02/2026
Offering Type: Permanent
Hiring Paths: Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL), Federal employees - Competitive service, Federal employees - Excepted service, Land & base management, Military spouses, Veterans
Service Type: Competitive
Travel Percentage: Occasional travel
Full Time On-site

HQ USAF and Support Elements

About HQ USAF and Support Elements

The mission of the United States Air Force is: To fly, fight, and win…Airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. Core competencies and distinctive capabilities are based on a shared commitment to three core values — integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide: 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans AF DCIPS Interchange AF Internal Employee DoD Transfer (Excluding Air Force) EO 12721 Certain Former Overseas Employees EO 13473 Appointment of Certain Military Spouses Former Federal Employees (Reinstatement) Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan Land Management Employee Military Spouse Preference National Service (Peace Corps and VISTA) Non-AF DCIPS Interchange Non-Appropriated Fund Non-DoD Transfer Other (Interchange Agreements) People with Disabilities, Schedule A PPP DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible PPP Mil Res (MR) and Nat Guard (NG) Pref Eligible Technician Receiving Disability Retirement Veterans Employment Opportunities Act

Summary

Job summary

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 provide Strategic Communications on A1 policies and programs, ensuring A1 key messages are expertly communicated.

Major duties

Serves as the Program Manager of Strategic Communication and Engagements and senior communication advisor, to the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS) to plan, organize, and direct the full range of public communication, public affairs, media, outreach, and engagement activities for HQ AF/A1. Directs Marketing and Branding Activities of HQ AF/A1. Represents HQ AF/A1 with a variety of councils, boards, working groups, and panels inside and outside the Air Staff, including DoD (Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, unified combatant command and sister services), and other governmental, nongovernmental, public, civic, service, industry, business, educational, entertainment, think tank, and media organizations. Manages On-line Presence and Social Media Activities. Serves as the champion for the overall operation and success of digital communication including the organization's social media properties. Serves as the HQ AF/A1 focal point for planning, management, and coordination of the communication program. Responsible for planning and managing internal/external communication capabilities across the A1 enterprise.

Qualification

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, Administrative and Management Positions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-14, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes (1) Extensive experience working with strategic planning principles and practices and of the interfaces between strategic planning and effective business practices; (2) working with complex Air Force programs and objectives in order to develop policy to implement program goals and to interpret policies within DoD; and (3) working in developing new methods and approaches to planning, integrating, and evaluating the overall communication and outreach program in order to meet functional objectives, and make recommendations to senior leaders. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-14 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-15 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. 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 oral, written, and visual communication concepts, principles, policies, practices, methods, applications, techniques, standards, and trends; analytical methods; interpersonal relations practices applicable to researching, planning, developing, coordinating, and evaluating new information materials for information programs. Knowledge of missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, relationships, and operational planning objectives. Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting data to arrive at valid conclusions and offer meaningful recommendations. Skill in planning and independently managing short- and long-term projects and to cultivate and sustain positive working relationships to project completion. Skill in communicating effectively with tact and diplomacy, orally and in writing, to advocate agency positions; to logically and effectively explain programs, functions, and activities and gain understanding of the organization's efforts by responsive publics and people with varying levels of understanding. Ability to research and analyze trends in public opinion via the mass media and meetings with federal and state legislators and community groups to determine program needs. 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.

Evaluations

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. BASIS OF RATING: Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable. Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements. Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements. The resume/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. For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here. 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. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.