The position is located within the Office of Communications of the VA Slat Lake City Health Care System (VASLCHCS, Office of the Director, Department of Veterans Affairs. The incumbent serves as the Deputy Communications Director and supports VASLCHCS. The incumbent performs a variety of duties in a constantly evolving, complex and diverse health care system which provides service across Utah, Nevada and Idaho.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited: Coordinating various aspects of Public Affairs Program; developing and providing staff direction involving public information; internal communications; special events. Liaison, facilitator and coordinator to media, congressional staffs, veterans service organizations, the community, and other governmental officials. Assessing communication needs and developing appropriate tools to meet those needs. Developing campaigns and communication strategies for internal and external activities that convey information to various public and staff about the VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System (VASLCHCS). Serving as VASLCHCS spokesperson as directed by, or in the absence of, Communications Director. Representing VASLCHCS by participating at public, civic or social events. Planning web-based, multimedia and video materials to convey information about VA to variety of stakeholders. Serving as content manager of VASLCHCS Internet and SharePoint site. Developing and disseminating a wide range of information and data concerning the nature and objectives of VASCHCS programs. Establishing and maintaining working relationships with local mass/specialized media representatives concerned with veterans' affairs. Assisting Communications Director and leadership in planning, developing and implementing various programs and projects to meet special needs of veterans' organizations, affiliated educational institutions, and audiences that require public relations intervention. Assisting with continual evaluation of Communications programs and effectiveness of facility activities. Evaluating information from a variety of sources. Providing feedback to senior management on communication trends and stakeholder attitudes. Maintaining liaison with Public Relations staffs of related health and educational organizations, service, civic and fraternal organizations. Serving as Public Information Officer under Hospital Incident Command System in the absence of Communications Director. Establishing effective relationships with local media and veterans' organizations, community groups and management officials; meeting with these groups to disseminate information, enhance relationships, communicate VASLCHCS and VHA policies and information about specialized programs and initiatives. Coordinating news conferences and briefings when responding to negative media inquiries, and continuously evaluating campaign strategies, positions and monitoring effectiveness. Advising Communications Director, Health Care System Director, VISN 19 Communications, VHA Office of Communications, and VA's Office of Public Affairs of changes in communication strategies; keeping them informed of potential complications, media inquiries, problems and resolutions. Initiating correspondence; preparing information packages; planning/conducting tours for special visitors and dignitaries. Preparing, organizing, and/or coordinating internal ceremonies; writing speeches for VASLCHCS leadership. Acting as liaison with VHA Office of Communications, VA Office of Public Affairs and VISN 19 Communications. Participating in management committees; conducting special projects and analysis involving specific problems; coordinating activities for special projects; analyzing impact/implications of events, proposals, or directives. Analyzing information needs, goals and resources; creating specific communication strategies. Developing and localizing written material to reach national audiences through radio and television public service announcements, press releases, fact sheets and feature stories. Developing and maintaining health care system's intranet site and website, ensuring information is current, accurate and serves as a useful resource. Providing oversite for preparation of internal and external Town Hall meetings. Responding promptly and accurately in writing and orally to internal/external requests for information. Addressing routine to highly sensitive media inquiries; discussing complex, sensitive issues with Communications Director and/or Executive Leadership Team to develop health care system response. Demonstrating leadership, advisory ability and expertise through active participation on VASLCHCS and/or VISN committees. Assisting in developing and managing the Public Affairs Office annual budget. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD14087-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/14/2023. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Thorough knowledge of administrative and patient care needs as they relate to proposed initiatives. Possess the knowledge of the overall mission, goals, structure, and functions of the medical center. Knowledge of and ability to apply management tools and techniques in dealing with daily medical center operations. Ability to submit comprehensive written reports to top management, utilizing correct format and techniques. Ability to independently develop and evaluate new strategies to solve Public Affairs problems and to analyze public reaction to VASLCHCS policies and actions. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Creative ThinkingCustomer ServiceLeadershipTechnical Competence Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Work is moderately sedentary with walking required during visits, tours, and various events within VASLCHCS, including off-station areas and facilities. Flexibility is required to accommodate events and activities occurring in other than normal duty hours. Mobility is required in terms of staging, setting up hospital displays and assisting staff with equipment and other required materials. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address VA SALT LAKE CITY HCS 500 Foothill Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84148 US
• Name: Melissa Rodriguez
• Phone: 702-791-9000 X15984
• Email: [email protected]