National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

Public Affairs Specialist

Open Until November 21, 2024 - Chantilly, VA - Full Time

WE ARE THE NRO

For over sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America’s advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet.

Learn more at NRO.gov.


Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen
  • You must be 18 years of age or older
  • You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
  • You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing
  • You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations
     
Position Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Public Affairs Specialist in the NRO Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, within the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The position serves as a key member of the NRO's strategic messaging team. The Office of Public Affairs is responsible for internal and external corporate communications, including engagements with the news media, the public, the NRO workforce, and partner agencies and organizations. The office communicates information about the NRO mission, its contributions to national security, priorities, challenges, accomplishments, and innovative initiatives. Communications functions include public affairs planning, writing, producing publications & multimedia products, developing and managing web and social media content, event planning and implementation, media engagement, public outreach, speaker support, and design of displays and exhibits. The person in this position is an expert writer/editor, has excellent organizational and project management skills, keen interpersonal skills, and is able to manage multiple assignments and time-sensitive projects. This position is responsible for developing and executing strategic communication and public affairs initiatives at the NRO performing duties in a diverse range of public affairs functional areas, including internal and external communications, public and media relations, and social media engagement to promote awareness, understanding, and advocacy of the NRO and its mission. The employee is expected to have considerable knowledge of a variety of communications strategies, techniques, and dissemination methods; sound communication skills; and knowledge and experience with public affairs tradecraft. Using a variety of communication methods, the position develops media products that are disseminated to multiple audiences through various media.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for full performance level Public Affairs Specialist (GG-07 to GG-12), occupational series 1035. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here.

This is a full time position. Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.

This is a full-time position that is open from November 5th, 2024 to November 21st, 2024.  Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on November 21st, 2024.


Who May Apply
 
  • This position is open to the public.
  • Federal government employees MUST currently be at the grade level or higher as indicated in this announcement. This is NOT a promotion opportunity for current Federal government employees. If selected for the position, Federal government employees will transition laterally at their current grade level and step.
  • Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.
  • The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.
  • This position does not qualify for the appointment of a Reemployed Federal Annuitant IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300.
     
What You Will Be Doing  
 
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in communications strategy development and brand journalism approach to content creation (AP Stylebook)
  • Researching topics, conducting interviews, writing news, feature and explanatory articles for NRO publications, websites and blogs to facilitate understanding of the agency’s mission, goals, and strategies to the NRO and Intelligence Community workforces, respectively.
  • Managing the editorial calendar.
  • Writing and creating powerful content in brand-journalism style for multiple publication mediums, including websites, blogs, social media, leadership messages and more.
  • Serving as a communications consultant to senior leadership at the NRO to provide leaders and components with substantive advice and counsel on the communications development.
  • Identifying opportunities for leadership to speak either virtually or in-person for events internally and externally across the Intelligence Community. Preparing read ahead materials to include agendas, bios, and talking points.
  • Cultivating and maintaining productive working relationships with staff in other communications organizations in the Intelligence Community (IC), and, as appropriate, members of the media, community leaders, policy groups, and/or concerned constituencies to provide information about the NRO mission, programs, and activities.
  • Producing communications products and strategies. Developing strategic communication plans and writing articles for various internal and external publications.
     
What You Need 
 
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in communications strategy development and brand journalism approach to content creation (AP Stylebook)
  • Demonstrated ability to design and implement innovative communication strategies for initiatives and programs.
  • Demonstrated interpersonal and customer service skills, including the ability to work effectively, independently, and in a team or collaborative environment.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and demonstrated ability to produce concise products that clearly and logically convey complex information and ideas.
  • Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to think strategically, to identify needs and requirements, and to develop recommendations and solutions.
  • Proven ability to work with senior officials, to build and sustain professional networks in a diverse, fast-paced, multi-task environment, and to manage competing priorities.
     
Other Information
 
  • Overtime Statement:  MAY be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
  • Travel Statement:  MAY be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.
  • Financial Disclosure:  MAY be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
**This position is a Full Performance level DCIPS position. The NRO is accepting applications from U.S. Citizens and current federal government employees for this position.  To qualify for the position, federal government employees MUST currently be at the GG-07 to GG-12 level and may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment at their current grade level and step. Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.

Location

Chantilly, VA

Salary

2024 salary range for the Chantilly, VA area:

GG-07: $55,924 - $72,703

GG-09: $82,764 - $107,590

GG-11: $82,764 - $107,590

GG-12: $99,200 - $128,596

Hiring Incentives

The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at management’s discretion.

Trial Period

All new DCIPS employees will be required to serve a 2-year trial period.

Veterans’ Preference

DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Vol 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement.  If you are a veteran claiming veterans’ preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.Reasonable Accommodation Policy

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Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:
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You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to [email protected].

Privacy Act Notice

Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.
Read more about the Privacy Act of 1974 

 
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