PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST (T32)

Public Affairs Officer Duties

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.
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.
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 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. Typically, each contact is conducted for different reasons and under different circumstances.
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.
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). Prepares articles for publication in internal and external publications reporting on National Guard missions, programs, progress and achievements, especially in the Global War on Terrorism, Transformation, Deployments and Recruiting/Retention. Directs special events, ceremonies, tours and other activities intended to develop interest in National Guard programs and to generate positive interaction with the community and the media.
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. The PAO assesses public opinion or attitudes along with anticipating public reactions to announcements or programs.
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.
Performs other duties as assigned. PLEASE CONTACT HRO FOR COMPLETE POSITION DESCRIPTION.