Clarification from the agency

WHO MAY APPLY: All qualified permanent and indefinite Title 32 National Guard employees who are currently working for the Missouri Air or Army National Guard.

• Plans, budgets, designs, and executes public affairs communications strategies to inform and educate the public about programs, activities, and services and the vital role they play as components of the U.S. armed forces.
• Provides the full range of effective public information, command/internal information, and community relations services to support the organization's large and complex organization statewide.
• Plans, directs, and executes command/internal information, media and community relations campaigns to convey sensitive and complex information concerning the organization's state and federal programs, responsibilities, and activities.
• Exhibits a mastery of communication principals and techniques along with continuously developing and applying new approaches to the most difficult and complex issues.
• Analyzes public reaction to the organization’s programs and policies then adjusts accordingly by developing recommendations that may impact or significantly modify major programs or policies.
• Throughout the communications process, analyzes and re-analyzes the clarity and effectiveness of public affairs initiatives and adjusted them as needed.
• Serves as the official spokesperson for the organization on controversial and complex issues before the representatives of the print and broadcast media and national organizations, general public, and special interest groups.
• Conducts Deterrence Media Operations, fully and truthfully informing the public of the organization’s programs, positions and actions that demonstrated that the organization is continuously ready to respond rapidly.
• Provides direction through broadly defined public affairs program regulations or guidance common to all career fields.
• Independently plans, designs and carries out major program functions, informing the higher echelon of progress as needed.
• Accurately and promptly responds, in written and oral form, to information requests from the public and queries from the news media which may include erroneous, speculative and/or negative comments or items of a sensitive nature.
• Plans, develops, and conducts press conferences and public meetings with full participation of subject matter experts to promote and enhance understanding and acceptance of the organization’s mission.
• Facilitates the communication of complex information on new programs or special areas of emphasis.
• Conducts in-depth research, synthesized the information and presented it to the media or public in an organized, cogent manner.
• Conveys information quickly and accurately in a clear, easily understood manner.
• Develops alternative communication strategies that enable the organization to establish and maintain mutual understanding with the various publics.
• Interacts and coordinates with multiple state and federal homeland defense and homeland security agencies, to include the state's emergency response departments and various federal agencies.
• Explains or defends significant or controversial actions or decisions, and to mediate between groups or individuals with differing points of view on program or policy issues.
• Prepares the public communications (media relations/community relations/command information) portion of standing operating procedures for mobilization, crisis and contingency plans, and orders.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• 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.
• Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
• Failure to complete management prescribed courses for full-time support personnel within the first year of employment or assignment, may be cause for reassignment or termination.
• This is an Excepted Service position that requires membership in the Missouri National Guard prior to the effective date of placement.
• NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact an Air National Guard recruiter at 1-800-864-6264 prior to applying for this position.
• May be required to successfully complete a trial period.
• May be required to successfully complete a supervisory probationary period.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position.
• This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
• Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.

Qualifications

MILITARY REQUIREMENTS: Selected candidate must currently be assigned to a military unit in the Missouri Air/Army National Guard. Title 32 employees will not be militarily senior to their full-time supervisor (grade inversion).

Maximum Military Grade - Maj (O-4)

Minimum Military Grade - 2d Lt (O-1)

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Must possess experience, education or training in administrative, professional, investigative and/or technical work; evaluating information and/or utilizing analytical skills to disseminate effective communication; and using computer and automation systems.

GS-13 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS 12 grade level that demonstrates experience with oral and written communication principles, methods and techniques that relate to public affairs; developing new information materials including news releases, fact sheets, brochures, booklets, broadcast spots, etc., that increase communication with audiences; making on-the-spot presentations to audiences with opposing points of view or erroneous understanding of organization's position; and responding timely and appropriately to requests for information concerning the organization's programs and services. This specialized experience must also include experience in managing the function of the work to be performed that includes the ability to lead, direct and assign work of personnel.

How you will be evaluated

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

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.