Job summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION. This National Guard position is for a PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST, Position Description Number NGD2383000 and is part of the MD 175th ANG, National Guard.

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. (40%)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". (35%)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. (15%)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. Confers with subject matter experts to obtain latest and most accurate information for use in news releases on social media, radio, TV networks, newspapers or other public forums. Coordinates and responds to news media inquiries on the mission, capabilities, impacts, and contributions of the base. Assists the PAO in advising wing leadership on DoD, Air Force, and ANG policy concerning release of information to the public. Provides media training on a just-in-time basis for wing personnel. Assists PAO in establishing and maintaining positive relationships and on-going contacts with local news media representatives. (10%)Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact a National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position. This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the employing state's National Guard, required prior to the effective date of placement. 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. Applicants who are not currently a member of the National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership and employment in the National Guard in the military grade listed in this announcement. Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service. Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation. May be required to successfully complete a probationary period. Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.

Qualification

Military Grades: ENLISTED E3 AND ABOVE 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: 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 Quality of Experience - 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 and/or training must show possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to fully perform the duties of the position.

Education

If you are using Education to qualify for this position, master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims. To receive credit for Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Education requirements for this position.

Evaluations

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (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.