For This Issue

Public Affairs Specialists In

Demand at Several Agencies

Agencies hiring throughout the nation include the Department of State, Army and Air Force.

Positions as Public Affairs Specialist, GS-1035, are being filled regularly. Public Affairs Specialists work at virtually every Federal Agency nationwide and overseas. Some 58 openings for Public Affairs Specialist appear in the current list of Federal vacancies. The Department of State, Air Force and Army are hiring.

Public Affairs Specialists perform work in establishing and maintaining communication between Federal Agencies and the government’s many publics. These positions provide major career opportunities for applicants with experience or a degree in communications or related fields.

Qualifications & Application
Procedures
Candidates applying for Publics Affairs Specialist positions at the entry level, GS-5/7, may qualify under the Career Intern Program. Each Agency establishes its own qualifications for the Career Intern Program. Hiring is limited to GS-5/9 currently $27,026 - $53,234 under the Program.

Most Openings Above GS-9
The bulk of new hires in this occupation are made at the GS-9 level and above. There are currently more than 3,736 Public Affairs Specialist employed at the GS-9+.

Candidates applying at grade GS-9 or above are required to have two full academic years of graduate education or a Master’s degree in a field directly related to the position such as journalism, creative writing, communications, advertising, or similarly related fields or the equivalent in job experience.

Additionally, specific qualifications may be used to screen applicants further as the responsibilities of each position become more specific. For example, the State Department may require a Public Affairs candidate at GS-11 to possess a degree in Russian studies.

A current vacancy announcement for Public Affairs Specialist is as follows:
“Performs work related to public affairs program activities, such as coordinating news and information for media interviews, developing communication plans, coordinating agency information programs, evaluating agency public affairs programs, etc. Evaluates impacts and effectiveness of public affairs programs.”

How To Apply
Qualifications at the GS-5 level include a bachelor's degree. General qualifications includes 3 years of experience that demonstrates the ability to analyze problems, gather data, recognize solutions, plan and organize work and communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Candidates should look for listings on this site for current Public Affairs Specialist, GS-1035 openings. All pertinent application forms and instructions will be forwarded with the vacancy announcement should an opening exist.

Clerical Levels
Agencies in many locations are testing and hiring clerical level applicants directly for support jobs in public affairs departments. Candidates should check directly with Agencies that have clerical openings in the Public Affairs office for Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant GS-0303 . Applicants should also check this site for current vacancies.

Candidates may also visit the following:

Dept of State

Dept of Army

Dept of Air Force

Merit Promotion
Federal employees, not currently in public affairs but looking for a career as a Public Affairs Specialist, need to have the ability to speak to and deal effectively with all levels of management and authority, and the general public. Essential skills also include the ability to write and speak effectively, interpret policy, and solve problems. While these skills are not unique to any one job series, they are essential for Public Affairs Specialists.

Some positions in Federal service that require the same skills as Public Affairs Specialist, and are therefore transferable through promotion or re-assignment into the Public Affairs Specialist position include: Language Specialist, Writer/Editor, Technical Writer, Contact and Service Representatives, and positions covered under the General Arts and Information (GS-1000) series. Applicants need to demonstrate these skills in general and should have an orientation and understanding of the particular Agency’s function and mission.
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