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Public Affairs Specialist

Department of the Army
Joint Activities
Joint Interagency Task Force South, U.S. Southern Command, Key West, FL 33040.

Summary

About the Position: This position is in the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). Employees occupying DCIPS positions are in the Excepted Service and must adhere to U.S. Code, Title 10, as well as Department of Defense Instruction 1400.25. This position is located with the Joint Interagency Task Force South, Command Group.

Applicants are highly encourage to visit https://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/ & https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/ for information regarding the area.

Overview

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Posted today · Apply in 2 days
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 3, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$113,356 - $147,365 per year
Pay scale & grade
GG 13
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
DAST-26-12972167-DCIPS
Control number
870889400

Duties

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  • Serve as the Principal Advisor to the JIATF South Director on all Public Affairs (PA) matters supporting strategy and operations.
  • Articulate and defend the command's position orally, in writing, and in person to international, national, and local media, federal agencies, government officials, and private citizens.
  • Respond to media and public inquiries in a timely manner.
  • Exercise editorial oversight of staff writers to ensure all copy meets journalistic standards for grammar, syntax, and accuracy.
  • Develop procedures to communicate JIATFS strategic priorities and ongoing actions to specialized audiences as well as the general public.
  • Prepares and delivers in-depth briefings and presentations for the Command Group and other senior leaders.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • In accordance with Change 3 to AR 600-85, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Program, individual must successfully pass a urinalysis screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment and periodically thereafter.
  • This position is designated Tier 5, Special Sensitive, High Risk and the incumbent is required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance Level with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access as a condition of employment.
  • Temporary Duty (TDY) travel expected for this position on an occasional basis.
  • This is a drug testing designated position (TDP) under the Department of the Army Drug­ Free Federal Workplace Program in accordance with AR 600-85. (See Additional Information section below).

Qualifications

Who May Apply:
Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • Current Army Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Employee
  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
  • Current DoD Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Employee (non-Army)
  • Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Interchange Agreement
  • Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible


Army DCIPS positions apply Veteran's Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement.

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes drafting a variety of articles, news releases and speeches in response to media requests; assisting with the preparation or delivery of briefings and presentations; providing direct engagement with a variety of news media; and assisting with a public release program. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS/GG-12).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • This position requires a 2 year trial period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a(n) 22 Career Program position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
  • Advance in hire maybe authorized.
  • Recruitment or Relocation incentives may be authorized.
  • This is a drug testing designated position (TDP) under the Department of the Army DrugĀ­ Free Federal Workplace Program in accordance with AR 600-85. Signing of a DA Form 5019 (Condition of Employment for Certain Civilian Positions Identified as Critical under the Department of the Army Drug-Free Federal Workplace Program) acknowledging periodic random drug testing requirements is mandatory prior to being placed into this position. Those individuals not currently occupying a TDP position must successfully complete a preĀ­ appointment drug test prior to being placed into this position and periodically thereafter.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position.

The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Joint Activities

Civilian employees serve a vital role in supporting the Army mission. They provide the skills that are not readily available in the military, but crucial to support military operations. The Army integrates the talents and skills of its military and civilian members to form a Total Army.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
ST-IC-W453AA JOINT INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE SOUTH
DO NOT MAIL
Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613
US

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