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Public Affairs Specialist (Social Media)

Department of Defense
Defense Media Activity
Pentagon Bureau

Summary

This position is part of the War Media Agency. The incumbent will be responsible for providing a broad range of high-quality social media products and services to inform, educate, and entertain Department of War audiences around the world. The team manages all DoW-level social media accounts and serves as an incubator for new communication tools and technology.

Overview

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Accepting applications
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
$121,785 - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 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 Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
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
WMA-27-13082044-MP
Control number
888658600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current permanent competitive service Department of War (DoW) employees. Veterans eligibilities include 30% or more Disabled Vet, Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) mean those eligible under an Interchange agreement (i.e., NAF, TSA, U.S. Postal Service, FAA, VA, etc.). Military Spouse Preference (MSP), Retained Grade Preference (RGP), and Military Reserve and National Guard Technician eligibles may also apply.

Duties

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As a Public Affairs Specialist (Social Media) at the GS-1035-13 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Serves as a senior public affairs specialist and principal authority on social media strategies, working directly with the Office of the Secretary of War (Public Affairs) to develop and implement digital communication plans and campaigns that inform internal and external audiences about DoW missions, policies, programs, and activities.
  • Plans and coordinates the dissemination of information through official social media channels, including Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram. Develops editorial calendars and creates, assigns, curates, edits, and publishes written and multimedia content to maintain and expand the Department's social media presence.
  • Coordinates with OSW, Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Military Services, and other public affairs stakeholders to develop consistent themes and messages supporting leadership priorities. Integrates social media tactics into comprehensive communication programs, including radio, television, and print, and exercises diplomacy to coordinate news and information coverage.
  • Researches audience preferences, segmentation, and public sentiment; captures and analyzes social media metrics to assess communication effectiveness. Prepares progress reports and advises management on changes to messaging, emphasis, and coverage, including expanding or discontinuing efforts to achieve communication objectives.
  • Evaluates emerging trends, technologies, and outreach practices to identify communication opportunities and implement new tools supporting DoW public affairs objectives. Addresses barriers to adoption and shares lessons learned, analytics, and best practices across departmental components, Military Services, and other government agencies.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Work Schedule: Full Time
  • Overtime: Occasionally
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Required/Not Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is Situational telework ONLY
  • Applicants who advance to the interview stage of the hiring process will be required to perform a practical application exercise prior to the interview. This practical application exercise will be scored as a portion of the overall interview score.
  • Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
  • Employee required to work Expanded Flexible Hours, which includes weekends and holidays.
  • You must qualify for and use a government travel card for official travel.
  • Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test screening, and periodic testing thereafter if required.
  • Temporary duty travel is 20% of the time.

Qualifications

To qualify for a Public Affairs Specialist (Social Media), your resume and supporting documentation must support:

A. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position and is directly in or related to this position. To qualify at the GS-13 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military or private sector. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements including time-in-grade (General Schedule (GS) positions only), time-after-competitive appointment, minimum qualifications, and any other regulatory requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement. Creditable specialized experience includes:

  • Developing and executing internal and external communication plans and digital media campaigns across multiple platforms to increase audience awareness, understanding, and engagement with organizational issues, policies, and initiatives.
  • Managing organizational social media channels, including developing editorial calendars and researching, writing, editing, and publishing written and multimedia content that communicates complex information in accessible and transparent ways.
  • Analyzing social media metrics, audience consumption patterns, mobile trends, and public sentiment to evaluate campaign effectiveness and recommend strategies that strengthen engagement with core audiences and enhance public discourse.
  • Evaluating and applying existing and emerging communication tools and technologies to advance public affairs objectives, including distinguishing sustainable outreach opportunities from short-lived trends and addressing barriers to implementation.
  • Coordinating with senior officials, public affairs personnel, and organizational stakeholders to develop consistent messaging, reconcile competing communication requirements, and integrate social media campaigns into comprehensive communication programs.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Additional information

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:
Persons with Disabilities - Schedule A
Special Hiring Authority for Veterans
Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
Other Special Appointment Authorities - Subpart F
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/register/)

The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews, and once the selection is made, you will receive a notification of the decision.
NOTE: Declining to be interviewed or failure to report for a scheduled interview will be considered as a declination for further consideration for employment against this vacancy.

Selective Service Requirement: Please visit http://www.sss.gov for more information.

For more information, please visit

https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/DoDGenAppInfo%2012-1-2020.pdf?ver=ECNbdsHtGilTd3OENN4A0Q%3d%3d

Other Notes:

Re-employed Annuitant: This position Does/Does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/140025_vol300.PDF?ver=LQ7feWw-8-5DI2tceUpmgA%3d%3d

This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment.
You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.

Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).

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.

Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Competencies:

  • Digital Collaboration
  • Social Media Program Management


Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP):This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria AND 2) be rated well-qualified for the position AND 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. Well-qualified means you possess the type and quality of experience that exceeds the position's minimum qualifications.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP): To receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the (RGP) eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant.

Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible (PPP DoD MRNG):In order to receive this preference, you must choose the (PPP DoD MRNG) eligibility, and fill out and submit the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation.

Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) (PPP MSP): In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the(MSP) (PPP MSP) eligibility. If you are claiming MSP (PPP MSP) and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant.

Defense Media Activity

This announcement is open to current permanent competitive service Department of War (DoW) employees. Veterans eligibilities include 30% or more Disabled Vet, Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) mean those eligible under an Interchange agreement (i.e., NAF, TSA, U.S. Postal Service, FAA, VA, etc.). Military Spouse Preference (MSP), Retained Grade Preference (RGP), and Military Reserve and National Guard Technician eligibles may also apply.

Agency contact information

WMA Servicing Team
Phone
614-693-6200
Fax
215-516-6069
Email
DHRC-DDMAHR@dla.mil
Address
War Media Activity
6700 Taylor Ave
Ft. Meade, MD 20755
US

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Learn more about what it's like to work at Defense Media Activity, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.dma.mil

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