Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

SUPERVISORY PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
HQ USAF and Support Elements
This job announcement has closed

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 serve as a senior public affairs advisor overseeing a broad area of responsibility with agency-wide effect.

Overview

Help
Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
01/06/2026 to 01/13/2026
Salary
$169,279 to - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 15
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Pentagon, Arlington, VA
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
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
9L-AFPC-12861043-051404-CMI
Control number
853689100

Duties

Help

Serves as the organization's senior public affairs adviser in assigned areas of responsibility.

Directs/leads broad programs, special projects, and initiatives with responsibility for researching, planning, executing, and evaluating complex public affairs operations, programs, policies, and strategies of significant importance and which affect broad functional areas and multiple organizational levels.

Represents the organization to high-level councils, boards, working groups, and panels inside and outside the agency.

Exercises supervisory personnel management responsibilities.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required.
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (Special Sensitive) security clearance
  • PCS expenses ARE authorized will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations. This position is Centrally Managed by the Public Affairs Career Field Team
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program.
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft
  • May be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays
  • This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions present a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, ...Cont'd
  • national security, and public safety. It is required that you (a) refrain form the use of illegal drugs and (b) if requested, submit to urinalysis testing.
  • This is a Supervisory Position. A 1 year supervisory probationary period is required if applicant selected has not previously met this requirement.

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 Positions, Administrative and Management Positions for the GS-1035, Public Affairs Series.

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 using rules, procedures, and practices within the Public Affairs discipline with the ability to apply this expertise to develop new approaches, methods, or procedures in regards to media relations, community engagement, command information and senior leader support; Possess analytical skills to include: gathering, evaluating, and interpreting complex data in all areas of the Public Affairs discipline; and drawing appropriate conclusions from conflicting data including determining what kinds of information are needed and ways of collecting data.

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.

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 the concepts, principles, policies, practices, methods, applications, techniques, standards, and trends applicable to researching, planning, developing, coordinating, leading, and evaluating broad public and Congressional affairs programs and stratifying requirements, strategies, and assets to perform the mission. In-depth knowledge of missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, relationships, and operational planning objectives of Air Force and DoD organizations. Knowledge of safety, security, and EEO regulations, practices, and procedures.

2. Expert skill in methods and techniques to develop and evaluate written materials; to research and analyze concepts; to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, arrive at valid conclusions and identify meaningful solutions; to extend existing principles to new and unusual applications; to conduct innovative program evaluations; and to prepare communication products on matters of importance while representing a wide variety of organizations and viewpoints.

3. Demonstrated skill in communicating effectively with tact and diplomacy, orally and in writing, to advocate agency positions; to respond to criticism of the agency's functions 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 level 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. Ability to evaluate and assess program effectiveness at all echelons of command and prepare reports on accomplishment of program objectives.

5. Ability to analyze, plan, organize, direct, and adjust the functions and staff of an organization to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources while meeting time-critical deadlines, often under high pressure, politically sensitive conditions.

6. Ability to inspire, motivate, and guide others toward goal accomplishments; leadership ability, including the ability to coach, mentor, and challenge the staff of an organization through subordinate supervisors; ability to adapt leadership style to a variety of situations; and ability to model high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, openness, and respect for the individual by applying these values to daily behaviors.

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

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected at the full performance level and placed at the full performance level.

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

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. The law made taxable certain reimbursements and other payments, including driving mileage, airfare and lodging expenses, en-route travel to the new duty station, and temporary storage of those items. The Federal Travel Regulation Bulletin (FTR) 18-05 issued by General Services Administration (GSA) has authorized agencies to use the Withholding Tax Allowance (WTA) and Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) to pay for "substantially all" of the increased tax liability resulting from the "2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" for certain eligible individuals. For additional information on WTA/RITA allowances and eligibilities, please click here.

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.

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.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.