What are the responsibilities and job description for the SUPERVISORY PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST position at Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA)?
Summary
The Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist will lead a team of PA professionals in the Strategic Engagement Office to deliver the full suite of public affairs products to include strategic communications plans, press releases, public affairs guidance, website and social media content, etc. in planning, initiating and implementing comprehensive communications campaigns to enhance the understanding of DCSA's programs among the workforce, general public and specialized groups.
Duties
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As a SUPERVISORY PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST you will be responsible for the following duties:
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Conditions of employment
The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1000/public-affairs-series-1035/ for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 12/15/2025
Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position.
You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade (GS/ GG-13) in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility.
Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience.
Specialized Experience For This Position Includes
Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.
Additional information
VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL
In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria.
Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf
Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period.
If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions.
If selected, non-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in writing that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS.
All Defense Intelligence positions under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) are in the excepted service by specific statue, 10 U.S.C. 1601. This position is in the excepted service and does not confer competitive status.
For more information on the DCIPS occupational structure click here.
For more information about career advancement in DCIPS click here.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist will lead a team of PA professionals in the Strategic Engagement Office to deliver the full suite of public affairs products to include strategic communications plans, press releases, public affairs guidance, website and social media content, etc. in planning, initiating and implementing comprehensive communications campaigns to enhance the understanding of DCSA's programs among the workforce, general public and specialized groups.
Duties
Help
As a SUPERVISORY PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST you will be responsible for the following duties:
- Position requires mastery of communication principles, methods, practices and techniques; analytical methods; and interpersonal relationships practices.
- Develop, oversee and drive a comprehensive strategic and operational communications plan that identifies goals, programs, and activities to inform and educate all external and internal stakeholders regarding DCSA's missions and activities.
- Plan, initiate, and implement comprehensive public affairs campaigns to enhance the understanding of DCSA's programs among the general public and specialized groups.
- Implement public affairs tactics, techniques, and procedures to support and amplify the agency's priorities, missions, and organizational objectives.
- Oversee the formulation of press releases, fact sheets, talking points, speeches, employee communications, feature articles, and other materials that effectively communicates DCSA's goals to a variety of external and internal audiences.
- Review and approve the work of subordinate Communications personnel and is responsible for developing plans and programs related to agency mission efforts.
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Conditions of employment
- Must be a US citizen
- Selective Service Requirement: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service. For more information http://www.sss.gov
- Resume and supporting documents received by 11:59PM EST will be considered
- This is a Drug Testing designated position
- Position is a (DCIPS) position in the Excepted Service under U.S.C. 1601
- Work Schedule: Full Time
- Overtime: Occasionally
- Tour of Duty: Flexible
- PCS (Permanent Change of Station): Not Authorized
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
- Financial Disclosure: Not Required
- Telework Eligibility: Supervisors may approve situational telework on a case-by-case, temporary basis for limited situations.
- If selected, the incumbent must obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance as indicated in job announcement.
The experience described in your resume will be evaluated and screened from the Office of Personnel Management's (OPMs) basic qualifications requirements. See: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1000/public-affairs-series-1035/ for OPM qualification standards, competencies and specialized experience needed to perform the duties of the position as described in the MAJOR DUTIES and QUALIFICATIONS sections of this announcement by 12/15/2025
Applicant must have directly applicable experience that demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies necessary for immediate success in the position. Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position.
You must have specialized experience sufficient to demonstrate that you have acquired all the competencies necessary to perform at a level equivalent in difficulty, responsibility, and complexity to the next lower grade (GS/ GG-13) in the Federal service and are prepared to take on greater responsibility.
Generally, this would include one year or more of such specialized experience.
Specialized Experience For This Position Includes
- Developing, overseeing and advising on the implementation of comprehensive strategic and operational communications plans that identifies goals, programs, and activities to inform and educate all external and internal stakeholders using written, oral and visual media;
- Utilizing a variety of communications techniques and methods-including both print and electronic media to convey the agency's missions and its role across the federal government and in the national defense;
- Planning, initiating and implementing comprehensive public affairs campaigns to include implementing public affairs tactics, techniques, and procedures to support and amplify priorities, missions, and organizational objectives;
- Developing press releases, fact sheets, talking points, speeches, employee communications, feature articles, and other materials that effectively communicates goals to a variety of external and internal audiences;
- Exercising a high degree of originality and judgment in interpreting guides where there are no precedents or guidelines on which to base or predict expected results.
- Communications and Media - Knowledge of the production, communication and dissemination of information and ideas to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
- Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
- External Awareness - Identifies and understands economic, political, and social trends that affect the organization.
- Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.
Additional information
VETERANS PREFERENCE/CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL
In accordance with DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, veterans preference is not required to be applied when considering candidates with prior Federal competitive or excepted service who have completed a probationary or trial period and have not been separated for cause. Therefore, veterans preference will not be applied to applicants with current federal service, or former federal civilian service meeting the above criteria.
Re-employed Annuitant: This position does not meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf
Applicants selected from this announcement may be required to serve a two-year trial period.
If selected, Federal employees currently serving in the competitive service must acknowledge that they will voluntarily leave the competitive service by accepting an offer of employment for a DCIPS excepted service positions.
If selected, non-DCIPS candidates must acknowledge in writing that the position they have been selected for is in the excepted service and covered by DCIPS.
All Defense Intelligence positions under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) are in the excepted service by specific statue, 10 U.S.C. 1601. This position is in the excepted service and does not confer competitive status.
For more information on the DCIPS occupational structure click here.
For more information about career advancement in DCIPS click here.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.