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Public Affairs Specialist (Digital Communications)

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command
HQ-ATEC

Summary

About the Position: This position is located at the HQ-ATEC Communications Office with a duty location of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. (merit)

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply in 2 days
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 2, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$102,415 - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
NH 3
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 Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate 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
SDSE-26-12994128-MP
Control number
874870800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

See "Who May Apply" in the "Qualifications" section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position.

Videos

Duties

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  • Create digital content for social media platforms to support communication strategies.
  • Develop visual information products, such as graphics and photographs, for use in multimedia activities.
  • Apply public affairs regulations/guidance to ensure communication products meet organizational standards.
  • Provide guidance to content providers on social media best practices to ensure adherence to policy.
  • Advise senior leaders on public affairs issues to support engagement with key stakeholders.
  • Conduct briefings for internal/external audiences to explain organizational objectives.
  • Write media such as news releases, articles, and talking points to inform internal and external audiences about the organization's mission.
  • Edit informational materials for areas such as clarity, accuracy, and adherence to style guidelines.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
  • This position requires travel away from the normal duty station (up to 5% of the time).

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 Employees of the U.S. Army Test & Evaluation Command, HQ-ATEC with personal competitive status.
  • Current Civilian Employees of the Organization



Consideration will also be given to current Army employees with personal competitive status.

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.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Create informational materials, such as articles or social media posts, for an organization's communications program; 2) Apply established communication principles to engage with public audiences; and 3) Utilize digital tools to produce content for an organization's online platforms. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower level/grade position in the federal service (NH-02/GS-11).

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:
  • Oral Communication
  • Public Affairs Policies and Procedures
  • Technical Competence
  • Written Communication

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • 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.
  • This position requires a 1 year probationary 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.
  • 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) Professional Services Career Field 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.
  • The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command has various incentives that may be available for highly qualified candidates. These include Recruitment Incentives, Relocation Incentives, Student Loan Repayment, Credit for Leave Accrual, and Permanent Change of Station Allowance.
  • The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) is participating in an alternate personnel system known as the Acquisition Demonstration Project (AcqDemo). Among other features, the Demonstration Project replaced GS grade levels with occupational families and pay bands. The band NH-03 is equal to the former GS-12 Step 01 through GS-13 step 10. ATEC uses salary control points to allow for differentiation in the level of positions within the same broadband. Therefore, the salary for this position will be set no higher than $133,794.00 including locality.

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.

As part of the assessment process, your resume will be evaluated using a competency-based method. This structured evaluation measures your qualifications, experience, and skills against the core competencies required for the position. Final scores will determine whether you are referred to the Hiring Manager for further consideration.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command

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.

What is the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC)?

ATEC is the Army's independent test and evaluation organization. We are a team of Civilian and Military personnel working together to provide America's Military with the best equipment to win and return home safely. At ATEC, we have a saying: If a Soldier rides, wears, shoots, or deploys it, we test it. ATEC is at the forefront of testing and evaluating technologies of the future from autonomous aerial/ground vehicles to hypersonic weapons. Each day, top scientists and engineers test and evaluate cutting-edge equipment. Our workforce is highly technical and skilled, comprised of more than 8,500 military, civilian, and contract personnel. Engineers, scientists, technicians, researchers, and evaluators work with innovative, advanced technologies in 24 testing and research locations across the U.S. States and around the world.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
SE-W3Q2AA US ARMY TEST EVALUATION CMD HQ
DO NOT MAIL
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.atecciviliancareers.com

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