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PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Civilian Career Training
Air Force Personnel Center, Talent Readiness

Summary

This is a formal Air Force intern position established under the PALACE ACQUIRE (PAQ) program managed and funded by the Air Force Personnel Center, Civilian Career Management Directorate, Public Affairs Career Program.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an advanced trainee, to receive formal and on-the-job training in public affairs and to complete developmental assignments and training outlined in the formal training and development plan.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Location
FEW vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$50,460 - $77,460 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 7
Promotion potential
11
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 - Internships
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
B-27-DHA-1035-AB
Control number
888493400

Duties

Help

  • Plans, organizes, conducts and evaluates discrete, limited elements of a command information program that ensures the free flow of information to Air Force (AF) people and families to help maintain morale, readiness, productivity and retention.
  • Involved in programs that help tell the AF story to the public and build informed public support for the AF by creating mutual acceptance, respect, appreciation, and cooperation between the AF and the community.
  • Engaged in limited elements of a media operations program that ensures a free flow of information to the public through the news media.
  • Assists higher-level Public Affairs specialists in conducting Public Affairs strategic communication, operational, and resource planning; and performs special assignments in keeping with the formal training plan.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Student Loan Repayment Program and/or Recruitment Incentive may be offered for eligible candidates
  • You will be in a one-year probation period of during your PAQ internship
  • Must sign a mobility agreement
  • Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.
  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • PCS expenses, if authorized, will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations
  • 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
  • A security clearance is required
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Grade Point Average - 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0
  • Position locations may vary from listed locations. Total salary varies depending on location of position.
  • To receive further consideration, YOU MUST apply at https://afciviliancareers.com/recentgraduates/

Qualifications

To qualify for a GS-07: Completion of 1 full year of graduate level education, or bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement as provided in the "General Policies and Instructions" for Qualifications Standards Operating Manual, or 5 academic years of pre-professional study, or 1 year specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-5.

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.

To view qualifying educational requirements and/or combination of education and specialized experience, click on the following link:
http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) Requirement for General Schedule (GS) Positions: Applicants must have served at least 52 weeks at the GS-05, or GS-07 or higher grade (or equivalent in an alternate pay system) within the Federal Civil Service to be considered for referral. The purpose of TIG restrictions is to prevent excessively rapid promotions in competitive service GS positions and to protect competitive principles.

Once the application and selection process is complete, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the applicable OPM qualification requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made. Applicants who fail to provide the necessary documentation to support their educational grade point average/master's degree requirements, qualifying experience or veterans' preference claim will be determined incomplete, ineligible or not identified as claiming veterans' preference. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your consideration in the referral and selection process.

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

Any individual who was awarded a degree by an institution of higher education from a PUBLIC or other non-profit institution not more than two years before the date of appointment meets the basic eligibility requirement to apply for the DHA Recent Graduates Program;

Please submit copies of all transcripts, to include transferred hours-official copies are not required at time of application. If selected, you will be required to provide official copies of all transcripts. NOTE: Degree Audits are not accepted.

If you qualify based on undergraduate, or higher level education, and you have not graduated prior to applying for this position, you may be offered a position, contingent upon your final grade point average or class ranking.

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: You MUST provide transcripts to support your educational claims. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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

For Direct Hire (DHA) Positions:
This is a Direct Hire Public Notice, under this recruitment procedure applications will be accepted for each location/ installation identified in this Public Notice and selections are made for vacancies as they occur. There may or may not be actual/projected vacancies at the time you submit your application.

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.

Temporary and Term Appointments: If you are selected for a temporary or term position in the competitive service, your appointment may be extended to the maximum period allowed by law without further competition.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

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. The law made taxable certain reimbursements and other payments, including driving mileage, airfare and lodging expenses, enroute travel to the new duty station, and temporary storage of those items. The Federal Travel Regulation Bulletin (FTR) 18-05 issued by General Services Administration (GSA) has authorized agencies to use the Withholding Tax Allowance (WTA) and Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) to pay for "substantially all" of the increased tax liability resulting from the "2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" for certain eligible individuals. For additional information on WTA/RITA allowances and eligibilities please click here. Subsequently, FTR Bulletin 20-04 issued by GSA, provides further information regarding NDAA FY2020, Public Law 116-92, and the expansion of eligibility beyond "transferred" for WTA/RITA allowances. For additional information, please click here.

Position locations may vary from listed locations.

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 for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
To receive further consideration, YOU MUST log in to https://afciviliancareers.com/recentgraduates/ . Once there, select the "Apply Now" button. You will be directed to Hire Vue to begin your application.

Applicants will be evaluated based on the materials and assessments required for the position. This may include:

  • Responses to the application questionnaire.
  • Online assessments, including USA Hire when required.
  • Review of transcripts and supporting documents.
  • Resume review.
If you are minimally qualified for this job, you will be placed into one of two pre-defined quality categories. These categories are "Highly Qualified" and "Qualified".

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork
Application of Veterans' Preference: If you are a preference eligible candidate, you will be listed at the top of whichever quality category your rating places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.

Application questionnaire: Applicants must complete a questionnaire as part of the application process. To preview the Application Questionnaire, click here https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13068130

Online assessments: Applicants must complete the HireVue assessment measuring critical general competencies required to perform the job. Examples used in the assessments include general scenarios addressing the underlying competencies required for this position. You will not be considered for the position if you fail to complete the assessment in HireVue. Applicants who complete the online assessments will move on to the next phase of the assessment process.

(If applicable) Pathways eligibility/Transcripts review: HR Specialists will review your transcripts or certificate of completion to determine your eligibility based on Pathways Recent Graduate Program requirements and qualifications for this position based on any education substituted, as described in the Qualifications and Education sections above. Applicants passing the Pathways eligibility/transcripts review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process.

Resume review: HR Specialists will review your resume to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on specialized experience. Resumes submitted for Federal positions may not exceed two pages. HR will not review additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume). Applicants passing the resume review will move on to the next phase of the assessment process.

Air Force Civilian Career Training

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.

Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide:

  • Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • US Citizen

Agency contact information

Total Force Service Center
Phone
1-800-525-0102
Email
DO.NOT.EMAIL@CALL.ONLY
Address
AF Force Renewal
550 C Street W
JBSA Randolph AFB, TX 78150
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Air Force Civilian Career Training, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.afciviliancareers.com

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