The Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs ATSD(PA) is the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense on Department of Defense (DoD) public affairs and on internal information and related activities of the Defense Media Activity. The ATSD(PA) is responsible for establishing and implementing policies and systems necessary for the effective and efficient performance of DoD public affairs and internal information programs.

Duties

Incumbent typical work assignments may include the following: Serve as the strategic communications advisor to one or more senior OSD Principals Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of news media (national regional and local), specialized groups interested in the organization's programs, and field offices. Ensure information to be released has been properly coordinated with appropriate officials and agencies in DoD, other elements of the Executive Branch and Federal agencies. Ensure information to be released is conveyed in the best medium possible to reach and resonate with the American people. Respond to information requests from news media in written, oral and/or audiovisual form. Research, write, review, coordinate and edit material proposed for public release to ensure accuracy, clarity completeness, timeliness, and consistency with Department policies and in conformity with information security regulations

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration)
• This position is subject to provisions of the WHS/OSD PPP Pilot Program
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period
• Must be determined suitable for federal employment
• Required to participate in the direct deposit program
• This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing
• This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance
• This position may require you to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays and/or overtime
• This position requires frequent travel away from your normal duty station on a regular basis

Qualifications

For qualifications determinations your resume must contain the dates of employment for each position listed on your resume (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application will be marked as incomplete and you will not receive consideration for this position. It is recommended that applicants also include their hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. Read more about what should I include in my federal resume? at https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/ You may qualify at the GS-14 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your ability in: 1) Demonstrating knowledge of the concepts, principles, policies, and practices of a Public Affairs Program; 2) Applying knowledge of written, oral communication and visual information principles, methods, and techniques to determine the need for, plan, coordinate, conduct, and evaluate Public Affairs and multimedia activities; 3) Demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of command structure, missions, programs, and organizational relationships and program goals and objectives, the sequence and timing of key operational events and milestones, and methods of evaluating the effectiveness of planning actions as related to actual events; 4) Planning, organizing, and leading others in studies or projects and to negotiate effectively with management to accept and implement recommendations, where the proposals involve substantial resources and require extensive changes in established concepts and procedures; and, 5) Demonstrating skills in designing and conducting comprehensive studies, and preparing solutions to especially broad, important, and severe operational and contingency areas. 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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act Chapter 21 of Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 2108a, requires Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, assuming the service member is otherwise eligible. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. The service member's military service dates are necessary in order to determine whether he or she meets the definition of "veteran" under 5 U.S.C. 2108(1). The "certification" must reflect the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of submission. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin (if applicable), your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Further, under paragraph (h) of the rule, agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD-214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible." Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave. Current or Former Political Appointees: Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title; Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee); Agency; and, Beginning and ending dates of appointment. All qualifications, education, and time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.

Education

Education cannot be substituted for experience.

Contacts

• Address Office of the ATSD for Public Affairs Human Resources Directorate 4800 Mark Center Drive Alexandria, VA 22350 US
• Name: Washington HQ Services
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]