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PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command
439 AIRLIFT WG

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Air Reserve Technicians are full-time civilian employees who are also members of the Air Force Reserve unit in which they are employed. In addition to their civilian assignments, they are assigned to equivalent positions in the Reserve organization with a Reserve military rank or grade. Appointee's civilian assignments will consist of the following duties.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/16/2026 to 01/26/2026
Salary
$100,992 to - $131,293 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Westover Air Reserve Base, MA
1 vacancy
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
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
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
42-ARTO-12868568-083810-DMC
Control number
854737700

Duties

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The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as an Air Reserve Technician (ART) Officer. to plan, direct and administer the public affairs program including but not limited to internal information, media relations, and community relations for the commander. Information forums/avenues planned and managed include but are not limited to production of audio-visual presentations and broadcast materials; newspapers as well as news and feature items for publication; web sites; special events; and other methods. Provides training to reservists in the duties listed herein.

Duties:

  1. Plans, directs and manages the public affairs program for an Air Force Reserve wing. Plans, directs and conducts the Congressional Outreach program.
  2. Establishes and maintains effective working relationship with print and broadcast media representatives in disseminating information or answering inquiries about the organizations' operations or activities.
  3. Conducts an internal information program to keep military and civilian personnel informed on current Air Force policies and developments as well as local activities, plans, and problems
  4. Serves as the public affairs focal point for community relations on proposed Installation Restoration Program (IRP) actions and the Environment.al Impact Analysis Process (EIAP).
  5. Establishes contact and maintains a positive relationship with local businesses, information agencies, and social and civic groups.
  6. Manages and executes the Employer Support program. Performs supervisory personnel management responsibilities for approximately 1 to 3 employees.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Must be a current member of the AF Reserves or willing/qualified to join
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain the required 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/
  • Total salary varies depending on location of position
  • This position is subject to provision of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Must sign a mobility agreement
  • Employee must maintain current certifications
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
  • Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position
  • Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade (GS-11) or equivalent. Specialized experience must include knowledge of written and oral communication methods and techniques and skill in applying analytical techniques in conducting a public affairs program for an organization involving internal information, media relations, and community relations activities. Mastery of advanced management and organizational principles and practices and thorough knowledge of the Air Force performance planning and management programs and processes to provide command support to both short term and strategic Air Force plans

FEDERALTIME-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-11level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 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:

  1. Knowledge of the functions and missions of DoD, Air Force, gaining MAJCOMs and Air Force Reserve Command. Knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices of the Air Force Public Affairs program
  2. Knowledge of the principles and methods of written and oral communication and skills in applying principles and using methods of conducting a public affairs program involving public information, internal information and community relations activities for internal and external audiences.
  3. Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting data to identify potential problems and offer meaningful recommendations and solutions
  4. Ability to plan, organize and evaluate program effectiveness. Knowledge of management practices, theories, techniques, and procedures.
  5. Skill in identifying and analyzing compliance issues and developing recommendations to resolve issues. Knowledge of safety and security regulations, practices and procedures
  6. Knowledge of personnel management and EEO directives, standards, processes and procedures.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS:
  1. This is an Air Reserve Technician (ART) officer position. The incumbent is required to meet and maintain Air Force Reserve requirements. Work schedule will be aligned to allow incumbent to fully participate in unit training assemblies (UTA). The incumbent's regular assignments are ART duties; however, the incumbent may be assigned some non-ART duties, generally not to exceed 30 percent of total responsibilities.
  2. May be required to fly in commercial and military aircraft to perform temporary/permanent duty assignments.

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.

RETIRED MILITARY ARE USUALLY INELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE AIR FORCE RESERVE. RETIRED MILITARY PERSONNEL WHO HAVE ACTIVE AIR FORCE RESERVE ASSIGNMENTS MAY APPLY PROVIDED THEY SHOW ASSIGNMENT (POSITION AND UNIT) ON THEIR APPLICATION.

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.

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.

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

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

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here

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.

Applicant must be commissioned or commissionable as an ART Officer in the Air Force Reserve. Air Reserve Technicians are part of the regular career civil service and enjoy all the benefits granted to Federal employees in the competitive civil service. In addition, Air Reserve Technicians are required to maintain their active membership in the Air Force Reserve unit where assigned. As members of Reserve units, Air Reserve Technicians receive on average one weekend of military training per month. In addition, they are eligible for 15 days active duty tour each year for which military leave is granted with full civilian pay. Air Reserve units and members are subject to immediate call to active duty in mobilization to meet a national emergency.

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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