Public Affairs Officer

Civil Air Patrol Oak Ridge Composite Squadron is seeking a volunteer to assist our chapter as a public relations manager. Oak Ridge Composite serves the local community through three main missions; Cadet Programs, Aerospace Education, and Emergency Services. Because Civil Air Patrol is an all-volunteer and non-profit organization we must raise awareness of the services we offer to the public. A Public Affairs Officer works closely with squadron leadership to increase public awareness of CAP, its local, state and national missions, and its contributions to the nation.

Audiences include local military installations, government agencies, schools, businesses, industry, civic organizations, constituent audiences and the media. Community and governmental relations shall not be the exclusive responsibility of the PAO, unless accepted as an additional duty. The Public Affairs Officer should use community service projects as a source for promotional opportunities and publicity. Volunteer duties:

• Develop and conduct a comprehensive internal and external Public Affairs plan at the local level; to include newsletters, press releases, public speaking appearances, information booths, public events, and web promotions.
• Promote cooperation between CAP and other aviation organizations, the military, business, industry and civic groups.
• Serve as a liaison between Civil Air Patrol and other civic groups, businesses, and aviation organizations.
• Consistently communicate the CAP brand identity and inspire every member to help build awareness of CAP.

Civil Air Patrol can offer training for those that want to learn and hone new career skills. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older and need to commit to at least one (1) year as a volunteer. The volunteer decides how much time they wish to donate. Wear of a uniform is occasionally required. Membership application fees apply.

About Civil Air Patrol

Established in 1941, Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 single-engine Cessna aircraft and 1,550 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and performs about 90% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Often using innovative cellphone forensics and radar analysis software, CAP was credited by the AFRCC with saving 110 lives in fiscal 2019. CAP’s 66,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. As a nonprofit organization, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace education using national academic standards-based STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. Members also serve as mentors to over 28,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. One of the premier public service organizations in America, CAP benefits the nation with an estimated economic impact of $209 million annually. Visit www.CAP.News or www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information.