Answers from a former VFA guy, now out:
I've been reading some threads to learn more about what they do and someone gave some examples, although the thread was really old. "Legal Officer, AIO, AIS, CSD, Line Officer, Power Plants Officer, Strike Officer, Tactics Officer, Pubs Officer, Hosting Officer, ESO."
So on top of being a pilot/nfo and respective paperwork you're also doing another job? Are you randomly assigned to do a job, do you go to more schooling to do them?
Yes. It's not random, it's assigned based on need and your experience level. Rotations are every 6-8 months on average, and are planned ahead of time, so you'll sometimes know what job you're going to have next. New JOs often start out in scheduling, as its a great way to interact with all departments and learn how the squadron works. Most ground jobs are in OPS (Scheduling, OPS Assistant), and Maintenance (DIVO, Branch-O, see next answer). A of JOs couple might serve in Admin, but that is usually reserved for a DH, Legal-O (needs extra school) and an Admin-O who is typically a career administration officer (CWO or LDO, prior enlisted).
You may have multiple duties, particularly if manning levels are low in the squadron.
And besides that, as an officer you have to apparently make sure your own troops are doing fine. How does this usually go? Are you like a manager or advisor to them?
JOs may be leaders as either division or branch officers, depending on the squadron and its manning level at the time. Branch-O is in charge of a shop, a DIVO is in charge of a small group of shops, generally within the maintenance department and reporting to the Maintenance Officer (MO), who is a department head in the squadron. In that position, you'll have one or multiple CPOs and LPOs working with you, and part of your job is to learn from them how a squadron functions. That includes dealing with personnel challenges, awards, and evaluations. It's a lot of paperwork, but should also involve a lot of face-time with your people. A properly-executed JO tour should involve at least one Division Officer position.
And do NFOs have any "ground" responsibilities that pilots don't have or vice versa? I heard that pilots have to do stuff like scheduling?
Personally I wouldn't mind any extra responsibilities, I'm just curious.
Ground jobs can generally be held by either warfare designator. I can't recall any non-flying duties that
had to be a Pilot or a WSO, but sometimes squadron leadership will have a preference, to keep a mix of both pilots and WSOs in each department. Someone with two-seat fleet experience might have a more detailed answer.
[tl;dr] Your JO tour comes down to three things:
1.) How you are in the aircraft.
2.) How you conduct yourself in your ground duties.
3.) Your personality, ready room & bar act.
Have any two of those suitcased, and you'll probably be fine as long as you're passable at the third. Nail all three, and you'll be a rockstar.