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PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST (TECHNICAL ADVISER) - DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC)/ 88ABW Public Affairs

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 supervisor, planning, directing, organizing, and exercising control over nonsupervisory employees; serve as Deputy Public Affairs (PA) Chief and Operations Section Chief; manage PA programs and provide oversight of functions. Serves as second in responsibility with the PA Officer (PAO) for the 88 ABW PA program.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/15/2026 to 08/13/2026
Salary
$130,461 - $197,200 per year
Pay scale & grade
NH 4
Location
FEW vacancies in the following location:
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
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
Other
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
AFMC-103504-12933806-CGE
Control number
865100700

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This job announcement will be used to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Duties

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Serves as Deputy Public Affairs Chief and Operations Section Chief. Manages PA programs and provides oversight of functions within PA. Serves as second in responsibility with the PAO for the 88 ABW Public Affairs program. Advises commanders and their staff on the communication implications of plans, policies, and programs. Provides PA inputs to operational plans. Inspects and evaluates PA activities and programs. Oversees procedures used in collecting, evaluating, and disseminating news and information. Monitors and ensures compliance with applicable DOD, Air Force, MAJCOM, and local policy. Ensures compliance with law, established policies, directives, and practices. Performs other duties as assigned.

  • DUTY 1: Serves as Deputy Chief of Public Affairs in absence of the Chief on an ad hoc basis. Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the organization's Public Affairs program.
  • DUTY 2: Serves as Technical Adviser, subject-matter expert, and senior leader on public affairs and other assigned areas of responsibility.
  • DUTY 3: Coordinates and leads staff meetings, Public Affairs Office (PAO)-hosted conferences, and visits to external commands and agencies.
Ideal Candidate: Has 10 or more years in the Public Affairs career field as a 1035 with a diverse assignment background with 5 or more years of supervisory experience leading small and/or large multidisciplinary teams. Have experience advising senior leaders and/or executives on PA matters at a headquarters level with a high understanding of military culture and customs and courtesies. Be able to serve as the Acting Chief when required; therefore, advising and leading junior supervisors. Have experience building and fostering a positive office culture to maintain es sprit de corps for an PA organization with a high pace/ volume mission. Experience managing an annual budget of $150K+ with an execution and lifecycle management plan, to include managing multiple government purchase card holders. Experience managing real world crisis events and be able to display calm leadership under pressure. Be familiar with military and/or governmental legislative/congressional affairs and operations. Understand DAFI & DODI Public Affairs/Visual Information and NEPA policy to adhere to regulatory requirements. Have management or technician experience as a public affairs specialist, photographer, journalist, videographer, or visual information technician, to serve as the 88 ABW PA technical adviser to the office and command team. Have formal Defense Information School training for Public Affairs (Public Affairs & Communication Strategy Qualification Course - PACSQ).

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guidance
  • PCS expenses if authorized will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations. This is a Centrally Managed position under the Public Affairs Career Field.
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • For more information on Acq Demo please go to DoD AcqDemo Homepage http://acqdemo.hci.mil/ and Fact Sheet http://acqdemo.hci.mil/faq.html
  • Relocation costs or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization.
  • Selectee is expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.
  • This position may require drug testing, and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection.
  • Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays
  • Shift work and emergency overtime may be required
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
  • 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.
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
  • Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Group Coverage Qualifications Standard for Administrative and Management Positions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-03, equivalent to the next lower grade GS-13 or equivalent in other pay systems. Specialized experience is experience identifying communication needs and developing informational materials that inform appropriate publics of the agency's policies, programs, services and activities, and experience planning, executing, and evaluating the effectiveness of information and communication programs in furthering agency goals. NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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 Public Affairs and Visual Information principles, concepts, and methods, as well as substantive knowledge and general understanding of Air Force and AFMC programs and policies.
  • Substantive knowledge of public affairs core competencies, policies, regulations, practices and theories.
  • Knowledge of safety and security regulations, practices, and procedures.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions and staff of a small to medium sized organization.
  • Ability to analyze complexities of existing technology, review/revise/develop policy, initiate plans for enhancements, and provide management sufficient technical and cost analysis information, through written documentation and oral briefings, to render informed judgments.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups.
  • Ability to apply advanced communication and analytical practices, methods and techniques, as well as to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  • Knowledge of techniques, principles, and procedures to direct or conduct staff assistance visits of field Public Affairs offices.
  • Knowledge of the organization's policy and planning formulation process along with its missions and objectives to prepare PAO policies and plans.
  • Knowledge of budgetary processes and analysis of performance data to prepare persuasive budget recommendations in support of PAO requirements.

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

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.


FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

AcqDemo Expanded Probationary Period for Supervisors and Managers: An additional supervisory probationary period of one year may be required when an employee is officially assigned to a different supervisory position.

This is an acquisition demonstration project position NH-04 equivalent to a GS-14 to GS-15.

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.

This job announcement will be used to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

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

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.

Air Force Materiel Command

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.

This is an acquisition demonstration project position NH-04 equivalent to a GS-14 to GS-15.
This job announcement may close at any time - apply now!

Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide:

  • US Citizen

Agency contact information

Total Force Service Center
Phone
1-800-525-0102
Email
DO.NOT.EMAIL@CALL.ONLY
Address
AF Life Cycle Management Center
2000 Allbrook Drive
Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433
US

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