What does a public affairs officer do?
Public affairs officer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real public affairs officer resumes:
- Manage social-networking updates for Facebook and command website.
- Respond to media queries, write news releases and manage media engagements while acting as spokesperson for several multifacete organizations.
- Use writing/graphic skills to create PowerPoint presentations for boating safety classes and training seminars.
- Collaborate with marketing department to generate publicity through social media including Facebook to promote brand awareness.
- Coordinate media interviews, prepare congressional and senior level briefings using PowerPoint, PageMaker, and PhotoShop.
- Respond to media queries, write news releases and manage media engagements while acting as spokesperson for several multifacete organizations.
- Monitor customer retention and measure campaign effectiveness (ROI )
Public affairs officer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Public Affairs Officers are proficient in Press Releases, Public Affairs Guidance, and Crisis Communications. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Organizational skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Public Affairs Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Press Releases, 14%
Generate press releases and informational emails for Department-wide dissemination to promote science policy fellowships and global science campaigns.
- Public Affairs Guidance, 12%
Developed and edited various communication plans outlining strategic level Public Affairs guidance for leadership and management as well as congressional review.
- Crisis Communications, 5%
Demonstrated ability to cautiously and effectively perform crisis communications dealing with a broad range of public relations issues.
- Strategic Communications, 4%
Provided logistical coordination for Marines as they traveled around the world generating media to support our Commander's strategic communications goals.
- Community Relations Programs, 4%
Developed, directed, reviewed, and conducted comprehensive Command Information, Public Information/Media Relations, and Community Relations programs.
- Press Conferences, 4%
Led and coordinated public safety campaigns and press conferences regarding statewide traffic safety issues and police activity.
Most public affairs officers use their skills in "press releases," "public affairs guidance," and "crisis communications" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential public affairs officer responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. The most essential soft skill for a public affairs officer to carry out their responsibilities is interpersonal skills. This skill is important for the role because "public relations specialists deal with the public and the media regularly." Additionally, a public affairs officer resume shows how their duties depend on interpersonal skills: "coordinated interpersonal communication and cover community relations and outreach events, including interviews. "
Organizational skills. Another essential skill to perform public affairs officer duties is organizational skills. Public affairs officers responsibilities require that "public relations specialists are often in charge of managing several events or communications at the same time, which requires excellent skills in coordinating arrangements." Public affairs officers also use organizational skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "developed and executed comprehensive communications, marketing and community outreach/engagement strategies in a deadline-driven environment to support program/organizational priorities. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for public affairs officers to perform their duties. For an example of how public affairs officer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "public relations specialists sometimes must explain how a company or client is handling sensitive issues." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a public affairs officer: "promoted business development initiatives through cross-functional team collaboration and creative stratcom solutions. ".
Speaking skills. public affairs officer responsibilities often require "speaking skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "public relations specialists regularly speak on behalf of clients or their organization." This resume example shows what public affairs officers do with speaking skills on a typical day: "responded to inquiries addressed to the commander requesting participation in public events and oversaw command speakers bureau. "
Writing skills. Another crucial skill for a public affairs officer to carry out their responsibilities is "writing skills." A big part of what public affairs officers relies on this skill, since "public relations specialists must be able to write well-organized and clear press releases, speeches, and social media posts." How this skill relates to public affairs officer duties can be seen in an example from a public affairs officer resume snippet: "directed the writing of news releases, backgrounders, op-ed pieces and news conference remarks. "
The three companies that hire the most public affairs officers are:
- City of Houston2 public affairs officers jobs
- Red Gate Group2 public affairs officers jobs
- Booz Allen Hamilton1 public affairs officers jobs
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Compare different public affairs officers
Public affairs officer vs. Social media specialist
A social media specialist is an individual who is responsible for creating and administering content on all social media platforms to build an audience and ensure customer engagement. By using platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, social media specialists must create content that resonates with the interests of the intended audience. They are required to understand social media metrics so that they can use the information to ensure success in their social media strategy. Social media specialists must also work with industry professionals and influencers via social media to create a strong network.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, public affairs officer responsibilities require skills like "public affairs guidance," "crisis communications," "strategic communications," and "community relations programs." Meanwhile a typical social media specialist has skills in areas such as "social media marketing," "instagram," "digital marketing," and "social media management." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Social media specialists really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $52,527. Comparatively, public affairs officers tend to make the most money in the government industry with an average salary of $72,319.social media specialists tend to reach lower levels of education than public affairs officers. In fact, social media specialists are 11.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Public affairs officer vs. Media specialist
Media specialists are individuals who establish and administer content on various social media platforms. The job involves monitoring site metrics, overseeing creative design, and responding to reader comments. Specialists offer advice to administrators and teachers on the use of non-print social media. They work for huge enterprises with multimedia departments, new media departments, and in-house websites. The skills the job requires include trend awareness, social media ads, community management, strong visual aesthetic, and understanding SEO.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real public affairs officer resumes. While public affairs officer responsibilities can utilize skills like "public affairs guidance," "crisis communications," "strategic communications," and "community relations programs," media specialists use skills like "digital marketing," "video production," "customer service," and "web content."
On average, media specialists earn a lower salary than public affairs officers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, media specialists earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $57,470. Whereas public affairs officers have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $72,319.In general, media specialists achieve lower levels of education than public affairs officers. They're 7.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Public affairs officer vs. Media consultant
A media consultant is responsible for coordinating with different people and groups to boost brand awareness and promote the brand image to the public through media communication. Media consultants work closely with the marketing or public relations team to conduct press releases, develop media campaigns, and advise executives with their speech during interviews and other related public appearances. They may also handle social media platforms, analyzing the current trends to meet the public's demands and interests.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a public affairs officer is likely to be skilled in "public affairs guidance," "crisis communications," "strategic communications," and "community relations programs," while a typical media consultant is skilled in "website development," "digital products," "search engine optimization," and "instagram."
Media consultants typically earn lower educational levels compared to public affairs officers. Specifically, they're 7.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Public affairs officer vs. Communications specialist
A communications specialist takes charge of addressing the public by coming up with various strategic campaigns, newsletters, public correspondence, press releases, and advertisements. Their primary role focuses on promoting, shaping, and enhancing a brand's image through public relations. Furthermore, a communications specialist is responsible for handling any complaints or issues, devising and conducting damage control to resolve bad publicity should there be any. It is also essential for a communications specialist to adhere to the company's policies and regulations at all times.
Types of public affairs officer
Updated January 8, 2025
