About the Role:
The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Public Affairs Specialist (Community and Legislative Engagement) (NH-1035-03) to work at the 412 Test Wing, Wing Staff Agencies, Public Affairs Office (412 TW/PA) at Edwards Air Force Base.
In this position you will serve as the liaison with state/federal delegations to ensure transparent communication and familiarity with test needs and objectives, workforce recruiting/retention challenges and quality-of-life issues; manage Congressional inquiries.
APPLY NOW! THIS JOB CAN CLOSE AT ANY TIME!
Location: Edwards, CA (Edwards Air Force Base)
Typical 2026 salary range: $104,349 - $161,313 per year/per hour (includes locality)
"If your current basic salary is within the band, but above the stated VOP, your basic salary will not be reduced if you are selected for the position."
Telework Information: Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prescribed "Unscheduled Telework"
Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel possible
Direct Hire Authority: NO 6-MONTH WAIT! Recently retired and/or retiring from MILITARY service ARE eligible for immediate appointment for AFTC positions. The 180-day waiting period has been waived for AFTC to hire recently retired and/or retiring service members.
Desired Skills:
- Graduate of the Defense Information School (DINFOS) Public Affairs and Communication Strategy Qualification Course.
- Ability to build trusted relationships with federal, state, and local elected officials and civic leaders to effectively articulate military, civilian, workforce, and community quality-of-life initiatives.
- Knowledge of legislative processes and expert-level management of congressional inquiries (including researching, synthesizing, and drafting timely, accurate executive responses aligned with Air Force guidance).
- Experience in planning, prioritizing and executing high-level congressional and staff delegation visits, including itinerary coordination and protocol collaboration.
- Ability to translate complex developmental testing and dynamic base support issues into clear, persuasive briefing products for elected officials and key decision-makers.
Major Duties:
- Serves as primary community and legislative contact and spokesperson on Edwards AFB.
- Represent the base at various community events and meetings.
- Provide timely responses to queries; research, and coordinate responses to ensure the currency and accuracy of responses.
- Arrange base support, including speakers, honor guard, flyovers and static displays; prepare base employees prior to such support; monitor support when necessary; provide follow-up materials; and monitor finished product.
- Arrange visits to the installation, prepare itineraries, coordinate visits with proper base agencies and provide escorts, including flightline escorts.
- Initiate and maintain frequent contact with local community leaders and groups to keep them informed about the programs and activities of the 412th Test Wing.
- Plan and develop communication programs designed to highlight the wing's contribution to the Air Force mission and overall defense of the United States.
- Write news releases, articles for the base web site, fact sheets and other printed and digital products regarding base programs, activities and people using journalistic style
- Perform other Public Affairs duties, including required additional duties.
Qualifications/Requirements:
U.S. Citizenship
Must be able to obtain and maintain required security clearance.
Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
Incumbent will be subject to recall to duty and having to perform other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
The incumbent must be available to support operations in an exercise or contingency situation. May be required to work irregular shifts or overtime.
May be required to work at locations other than 412 TW Public Affairs office for similar reasons.
Knowledge of communication theory, public affairs principles, and the practices used to implement them.
Ability to apply accepted English and journalistic standards to convey complex information to audiences with different levels of understanding.
Knowledge and general understanding of Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Test Center, 412 Test Wing, media, and community programs, and policies related to public affairs programs.
Skill in gathering, evaluating, and interpreting data to identify potential problems, arrive at valid conclusions, and offer meaningful recommendations, and/or resolutions.
Skill in working with people to maintain effective working relationships with groups interested in, or affected by, public affairs programs or policies.
Skill in organization - - ability to plan programs, prioritize tasks of varying degrees of complexity, and complete them under a deadline.
Skill at typing, word processing, and other basic office software programs.
Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
Incumbent will be subject to recall to duty and having to perform other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
The incumbent must be available to support operations in an exercise or contingency situation. May be required to work irregular shifts or overtime.
May be required to work at locations other than 412 TW Public Affairs office for similar reasons.
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.
Air Force Civilian Service Employment Benefits:
Paid Time Off:
11 Federal Holidays each year
13 sick leave days earned per year (accumulative)
Paid Vacation Time:
13-26 days per year based on length of employment
Health Insurance:
No waiting period to qualify for you and your family
Retirement:
Immediate coverage by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
Basic Benefits Plan
Social Security:
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), like a 401(k) (Automatically receive 1% agency contributions and up to 5% matching)
Health & Wellness:
Various Medical
Flexible Spending Account
Federal Long Term Care Insurance, and Life & Disability Insurance
Work/Life Balance:
Family and Medical Leave Act
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Flexible Work Arrangements (dependent on position)
Career Development:
Tuition Assistance & Professional Development opportunities
Career enhancement and promotion opportunities
To learn more about our benefits, please check out the AFTC Benefits Trifold at https://simplebooklet.com/260902aftcbenefitstrifold
Federal Resume Tips:
Resumes limited to two pages. Federal agencies now only accept resumes up to two pages in length.
Learn more about the new resume requirements at:
https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include
https://afciviliancareers.com/PDF/FederalResumeWriting.pdf
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Classification & Qualifications for Federal Government Employees:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/
Please visit the Air Force Test Center job board to view other career opportunities:
https://www.aftc.af.mil/About-Us/Jobs/
