Summary THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION. The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States. Since the earliest American colonial days, citizens have joined together for collective defense. We have a proud tradition of coming to the aid of our friends and neighbors in times of serious emergencies. Join our National Guard team and serve your nation, your states and your community! Responsibilities Position Description #NGD1169000 This position is located in the Joint Force Headquarters - State, Personal Staff, Public Affairs Office. As the state's Public Affairs Officer (PAO), the incumbent is responsible for all Army and Air National Guard public, community and media relations within the state and for providing supervision and direction to the staff of the Joint Force Headquarters - State (JFHQ-State), Public Affairs Office, as well as field and unit public affairs specialists and Mobile Public Affairs Detachments (MPADs) personnel covering the region. Description of Duties: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. Accurately and promptly responds, in written and oral form, to information requests from the public and queries from the news media. These queries may include erroneous, speculative and/or negative comments or items of a sensitive nature; and those which may be subject to misunderstanding if not properly explained, or which may draw adverse public opinion or attention. The JFHQ-State PAO plans, develops, and conducts press conferences and public meetings with full participation of National Guard subject matter experts to promote and enhance understanding and acceptance of the National Guard's mission and facilitate the communication of complex information on new programs or special areas of emphasis. 4. 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). The PAO's contacts are also with nationally or internationally known groups or individuals from these other agencies and often the contact is not routinely or easily established. 5. 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 represents the Adjutant General at meetings with senior level officials of state, NGB, DOD, DA, DAF, State Department , international government agencies and media outlets. 6. While the J-6 is responsible for infrastructure (servers, hardware, software, etc), 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. The PAO provides security review and approves any graphics, photos, and text before it can be posted to any NG website (DoD Directive 5230.9 Section 4.2). 7. Provides professional, seasoned analysis and advice to the Adjutant General, the TAG's staff and senior state National Guard leadership. Evaluates public affairs programs at the JFHQ-State level and in the field and recommends modifications when appropriate. Analyzes and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of the JFHQ-State's overall public communications (media relations/community relations/internal information) programs at field and HQ level, making changes and adjustments as required to improve performance and effectiveness in meeting objectives. 8. 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. Plans, schedules and assigns work; develops performance plans and evaluates work performance; identifies training needs; and counsels staff as appropriate. Responsible for quality and quantity of work produced; provides advice and guidance to subordinates on the application of new or changed policy and/or procedures; determines and recommends revision in staffing levels to meet changes in assigned functions and workloads. 9. Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications MINIMUM MILITARY GRADE: O-4 MAXIMUM MILITARY GRADE: O-5 Your rank MUST be included somewhere within your resume. You must fully substantiate in your own words that you meet the requirements listed below. When explaining minimum requirements and specialized experience you must give examples. Do not copy from the vacancy announcement or the position description. Explain it in your own words and give examples to be considered for this vacancy. All personnel applying for this position who do not meet the minimum military grade requirement MUST provide the proper signed memorandum from your respective Military Personnel Office (MILPO for ARNG, FSS for ANG) to prove eligibility to obtain the required grade upon accepting the position. All personnel who exceed the maximum military rank must provide a memorandum explaining if selected for this position, you will accept an administrative reduction in rank. The memorandum must be submitted WITH your application to be considered for this position. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Experience, education or training in administrative, professional, investigative and/or technical work. Experience evaluating information and/or using analytical skills to disseminate effective communication. Experience in compiling reports, letters, memoranda, etc., and required person-to-person contacts to convey information. Experience using computers and automation systems. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 1-year experience, education, or training equivalent to at least next lower grade level. Experience in managing the function of the work to be performed. Experience which includes leading, directing and assigning work of personnel. Education There are no educational requirements for this position. Additional Information Permanent Change of Station: PCS funds are not available for this position. Incentives: Relocation and Recruitment Incentives may be authorized for this position. All WVNG positions are pending availability of resources and funds. Areas of Consideration: Area 1: Current On-board Title 5 Employees and Title 32 Technicians (Tenure: 1- Permanent, 2-Conditional, 3-Indefinite) and Permanent AGR's in the West Virginia National Guard. Area 2: WVNG Army M-Day and Air Force DSG (Drill-Status Guardsmen,) Temporary Title 32 Technicians and Title 5 Employees, Temporary AGR (OTOT), and national guardsmen serving on Full-time National Guard Duty - Operational Support Orders (ADOS). Area 3: Current On-board Federal Employees (Tenure: 1-Career, 2-Conditional, 3-Indefinite) from another Federal Agency nationwide. Area 4: Federal re-employable eligible employees, National Guardsmen outside of the WVNG, and U.S Citizens willing to join the West Virginia National Guard as a condition of employment. Area 5: All U.S. Citizens.