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PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Civilian Career Training
USAFE, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs (PA), Ramstein AB, Germany

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 developmental experience designed to broaden the skills and/or enhance the leadership perspective of an identified high-potential, mid-level manager/executive; it is not a continuing position and assignment duration is limited to 36 months.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/05/2026 to 01/16/2026
Salary
$63,795 to - $82,938 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Ramstein, Germany
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
9N-CB-12858522-079515-JP
Control number
853323900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Internal Permanent Air Force Employees in the Public Affairs Career Field Only

Duties

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  • Performs Career Broadening assignments/duties to include the planning, organization, direction, and evaluation of a public affairs function with broad applicability, ensuring that public affairs activities comply with legal and regulatory requirements and meet customer needs.
  • In a Career Broadening capacity, performs assignments to include managing broad programs, special projects, and initiatives with responsibility for researching, planning executing, and evaluating complex public affairs operations, programs, policies, and strategies of significant local importance.
  • Represents the organization inside and outside the agency.
  • Carries out special projects and assignments designed specifically to meet the broadening intent of the position.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Must sign an Air Force-wide mobility agreement
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • PCS cost will be paid IAW Career Broadening Policy under this agreement.
  • Career Broadening positions are managed by AFPC/DPZ and are centrally funded.
  • Positions are established specifically to provide developmental experience designed to broaden the skills and/or enhance the leadership perspective of a high-potential, mid-level manager.
  • Career Broadening also provides training and developmental opportunities at various organizational levels.
  • These assignments offer the qualified candidate a unique assignment in that the candidates brings certain experience to the assignment while gaining new experiences in a different work environment
  • TEMPORARY PROMOTION: If the position is filled as a temporary promotion, upon completion of the career broadening assignment, the temporary promotion may lead to permanent promotion without further competition
  • Position may be subject to random drug testing
  • Travel by regularly scheduled commercial or military conveyances IAW Joint Travel Regulations may be required in performance of TDY
  • May be required to be on call and/or to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
  • May be required to escort news media representatives to a forward operating location in the event of a deployment or other operations.
  • This is a formal Public Affairs career broadening position; assignment duration is limited to 36 months
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Administrative and Management Positions.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1000/public-affairs-series-1035/

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Examples of specialized experience include knowledge of the principles and methods of written and oral communication and skill in applying principles and using methods in conducting a public affairs program involving media relations, civic outreach, planning and execution of regional prominent events, internal information, visual information, communication planning/research/analysis, emerging technology/social media, public affairs resource management, or contingency planning and operations. To be creditable, the specialized experience must have been at the GS-09 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the federal service.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Applicants must have served at least 52 weeks at the GS-09 or higher grade (or equivalent in an alternate pay system) within the Federal Civil Service to be considered for referral. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

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:

  1. Knowledge of communication concepts, principles, policies, practices, methods, applications, techniques, standards, and trends applicable to researching, planning, developing, coordinating, leading, and evaluating broad public affairs and visual information programs and stratifying requirements, strategies, and assets to perform the mission. Knowledge of missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, relationships, and operational planning objectives of Air Force and DoD organizations.
  2. Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting data to arrive at valid conclusions and offer meaningful recommendations.
  3. Skill in communicating effectively with tact and diplomacy, orally and in writing, to advocate agency positions; to respond to criticism of the agency's function or performance; to logically and effectively explain programs, functions, and activities and gain understanding of the organization's efforts by concerned publics; to negotiate complex issues, programs, and functions with people having varying levels of understanding; and to maintain good working relations.
  4. Planning skills and ability to independently manage short and long-term projects and to cultivate and sustain positive working relationships to project completion.
  5. Ability to evaluate and assess program effectiveness at all echelons of command and prepare reports on accomplishment of program objectives.
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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

PCS restrictions: An employee selected to make a PCS to a Career Broadening assignment is restricted from making a second PCS for 12 months

Defense National Relocation Program is Authorized

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Incentives: Recruitment and/or retention incentives may not be used.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The 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.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

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.

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