Summary Opened Area(s) of Consideration: 1 DEFINITION OF AREA(S) OF CONSIDERATION: Area 1 - All current on-board AKNG T5 Competitive or Excepted Service Employees. PDCN: T5276000 MPCN: 3400783835 Selecting Supervisor: Kevin S. Park Responsibilities Serves as the JFHQ-State Public Affairs Officer, directly reporting to the Adjutant General (TAG). Responsible for planning, budgeting, designing, and executing public affairs communications strategies to inform and educate the public, both general and specialized, about the Army and Air National Guard programs, activities, and services and the vital role they play as components of the U.S. armed forces as well as being an invaluable asset for homeland defense and homeland security. The state National Guard's various organizations range upward in size from several hundreds to thousands of Soldiers and Airmen, comprised of state and federal employees. Each state includes a large number of National Guard armories, along with flight facilities, maintenance facilities, air installations, training sites and ranges. Geographical area encompasses the state along with any areas the MPADs are assigned which include regional, CONUS (national) and OCONUS (international); each with varied audiences. In any case, with the potential impacts of public affairs actions, the PAO's responsibilities and duties are as encompassing as the Guard as a whole. The JFHQ-State PAO must provide the full range of effective public information, command/internal information, and community relations services to support the National Guard's large and complex organization statewide. The JFHQ-State PAO plans, directs, and executes command/internal information, media and community relations campaigns to convey sensitive and complex information concerning the National Guard's state and federal programs, responsibilities, and activities. The PAO exhibits a mastery of communication principals and techniques along with continuously developing and applying new approaches to the most difficult and complex issues by developing or evaluating information programs that enhance understanding among publics opposed to or indifferent to National Guard mission or programs. The PAO analyzes public reaction to NG programs and policies then adjusts accordingly by developing recommendations that may impact or significantly modify NG major programs or policies. The JFHQ-State PAO must include diverse points of view in communications plan that establish and maintain mutual understanding with various publics in local communities, in the state, the region, and which may impact the NG nationally. The scope, effect and implications of the JFHQ-State PAO's duties are wide; affecting the NG locally, state-wide, nationally and internationally. Throughout the communications process the JFHQ-State PAO analyzes and re-analyzes the clarity and effectiveness of public affairs initiatives and adjusts them as needed. The JFHQ-State PAO is guided by general policies that cannot encompass the huge variety of specifics that apply to public affairs. Frequently, there are no precedents applicable to unusual or sensitive public issues or problems encountered by the PAO and the PAO exercises considerable professional judgment in interpreting and adapting existing guidelines and precedents and using them as a basis for developing new approaches that coordinate and integrate various aspects of the mission to help create a unified public affairs strategy or plan. The public affairs specialist serves as an NG authority in the development and interpretation of guidelines in the public affairs arena. The PAO is responsible for interpreting applicable general policy and statutory mandates (state, NG, DA, DAF and DOD) and applying these to unusual or sensitive public affairs issues or problems found at the agency level. Serves as the official spokesperson for the Adjutant General on controversial and complex issues before the representatives of the print and broadcast media and national organizations (i.e., Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Army (DA), Department of Air Force DAF), etc - and national organizations, such as Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy, NGAUS, etc.), the general public and special interest groups. PAO regularly conducts Deterrence Media Operations, fully and truthfully informing the public of NG programs, positions and actions that demonstrate that the Guard is continuously ready to respond rapidly to the GWOT at home and abroad. The reach of individual state's DMO is international while the implication and scope of DMO is national; the PAO frequently represents and speaks on the behalf of the Adjutant General and the National Guard as a whole, with a profound effect on the reputation and image of the NG. As a member of the TAGs special staff, the PAO is provided direction through broadly defined public affairs program regulations or guidance common to all career fields. The JFHQ-State PAO is responsible for independently planning, designing and carrying out major program functions, informing the TAG of progress as needed. Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is experience which is directly related to the position to be filled and which has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. GS-13 - Must have at least 1 year of equivalent to at least next lower grade level, GS-12. Some examples of experience include; Serves as the JFHQ-State Public Affairs Officer, directly reporting to the Adjutant General (TAG). The JFHQ-State PAO is guided by general policies that cannot encompass the huge variety of specifics that apply to public affairs. Accurately and promptly responds, in written and oral form, to information requests from the public and queries from the news media. The JFHQ-State PAO 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 (i.e., Department of Energy (DOE), FEMA, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Transportation Safety Administration (TSA), DHS). Provides expertise, assistance and consultation to the TAG and state National Guard field offices in initiating and maintaining effective working relationships with the general public, specialized groups, the news media and community and governmental entities using National Guard capabilities and services in support of state or federal homeland defense missions. The JFHQ-State PAO is responsible for the content of any and all publicly accessible NG websites emanating in the state, or units usually assigned in the state. Provides professional, seasoned analysis and advice to the Adjutant General, the TAG's staff and senior state National Guard leadership. Supervises and/or oversees a subordinate work force of state and federal military and civilian personnel in the JFHQ-State Public Affairs Office and/or the field or unit PAOs. EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Resume must have complete dates and hours worked per week for each occurrence of both civilian and military employment (Example: 2 JAN 1980 to 3 MAR 1981; 0800-1630 M-F or JAN 1980 to MAR 1981; 40 hrs/wk) Use of year only will result in disqualification. The duties listed must fully substantiate -in your own words- that you meet the minimum requirements and specialized experience listed above, in detail; otherwise, you will not be considered qualified for this position. Length of time is not of itself qualifying. Your experience will be evaluated on the basis of duties performed. Your record of experience, training, and education must show possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities needed to fully perform the duties of the position: - Comprehensive knowledge of the principals, methods, practices and techniques of communication to function as the JFHQ-State technical authority on all public affairs and community relations programs, problems and issues. - Knowledge of the missions, goals, policies and issues impacting the Department of Defense, U.S. Army, Air Force, and the National Guard Bureau (NGB), and how these will influence the state's NG. Knowledge must be extensive on the many controversial and complex issues that regularly affect the National Guard. - Skill in conveying complex information on Army and Air National Guard activities that affect state and national interests and may have international involvement and implications. - Knowledge and skill to analyze public reaction and perceptions to National Guard programs and policies and provides recommendations to the TAG or the NGB that may significantly modify major programs or policies. - Skill in integrating diverse points of view in communications plan which establish and maintain mutual understanding with various publics and state and federal agencies. - Skill in analyzing public reaction to NG program and policies and in developing recommendations that may significantly modify major programs or policies. - Skill in developing and applying new approaches to the most difficult and complex public affairs problems by developing or evaluating information programs to enhance understanding among publics opposed to or indifferent to the NG's mission or programs. - Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups interested in or affected by programs, creating meaningful, constructive communication interchanges. - Skill in developing written materials to convey information concerning complex programs and functions to publics having diverse levels of understanding of the National Guard's programs and activities. - Skill in responding orally to criticism of the National Guard's functions or performance, to logically and effectively explain complex programs, functions and activities and gain understanding and support of the organization's efforts by concerned publics. - Knowledge of event planning and coordination to manage and advise staff on special event productions that may include the senior military officials, Governors, members of Congress, legislators and other state and local officials. - Skill in meeting and dealing effectively with Governors, members of Congress, legislators and other state and local officials. Establishes effective lines of communication with a variety of individuals, at all government levels so state level NG activities, programs, capabilities and operations are clearly understood by these key constituencies. - Skill in evaluating the effectiveness of the public affairs program, analyzing feedback from the media and public, and developing recommendations to improve the internal operation and enhance the overall public affairs program. Education Additional Information - This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration. This designation will not exceed 14 calendar days per year unless otherwise approved in advance by the TAG. - If a permanent technician with the AKNG is selected for an indefinite position which crosses service boundaries or funding categories (i.e., AKARNG to AKANG or vice versa, or for AKANG funding category: JBER to Eielson or vice versa, T32 to T5 or vice versa), the nature of action will be Excepted Appointment (Indefinite). Therefore, if a Permanent technician is selected for an indefinite position as identified, they will be converted to an indefinite appointment and the losing unit is not required to reserve their home position. - If you are a current Federal employee or former Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your latest SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" and/or a copy of the SF-50. You may submit your most recent performance appraisal. - NOTE: A retired member of the Armed Forces may not be appointed to a DOD civilian position within 180 days after retirement, without a TAG approved waiver, in accordance with DoDi 1402.01, Employment of Retired Members of the Armed Forces, dated 09 Sep 2007 and National Guard Appointment for Retired Members of the Armed Forces Memo, dated 18 Jan 2019. - If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency. - Cost of Living Allowance (COLA): Entitled to 2.48% COLA in addition to base salary, subject to change. - Direct Deposit Program: If selected for technician position with the Alaska National Guard, you will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Program. (Salary will be automatically deposited to bank/credit union account). If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.