The Public Affairs Specialist position will be located within Veterans Integrated Service Network - VISN, VA Medical Center, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veteran Affairs, Eagan, MN. The Public Affairs Specialist reports to the VISN Public Affairs Officer and, is the official responsible for promoting and coaching outreach in the VAMCs, sharing best practices, planning, and conducting a comprehensive outreach program. developing outreach plans, generating events, etc..

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Serves as a VISN point of contact for the media and public information inquiries and as the liaison with other medical centers, central office, and veteran organizations in the areas of public information and community relations. Undertakes other assignments, such as speech writing or coordination of special events/projects at the direction of the VISN PAO. Provide toxic exposure outreach and other support for the Public Affairs program at a VISN or VA Medical Center while displaying tact, common sense, diplomacy, initiative, and solid professional judgment. Increases internal and external awareness of VA programs, services, special events and projects, technologies, personnel, and research accomplishments. Establishes and maintains proactive contacts with media outlets, legislative offices, veteran service organizations, health care affiliates and community partners. Advises senior level management on development of outreach campaigns, communication plans and strategies. Plans, develops, and produces a variety of materials and publications including print, visual, Web-based, multimedia, and video materials to convey information about the VA to a variety of stakeholders. Analyzes internal communication needs and develops publications or other information materials for staff, patients, volunteers, and others who contribute to VA effectiveness and responsiveness. Analyzes information needs, goals and resources and tailors' specific communication strategies using all media to reach target audiences both internal and external. Advises and makes recommendations to the VISN PAO director regarding the handling of media and community issues or concerns that have possible implications on the VA. Interacts with top officials of public and private sector to enhance understanding among VAMCs and VHA's many publics, strengthening relationships. Plans, initiates, and implements comprehensive public affairs activities to enhance the understanding of the VA's programs among the public and specialized groups and organizations. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in federal service. The Specialized Experience for this position is experience involving oral and written communication practices, techniques, and methods; and interpersonal relations practices; Skill in writing a variety of articles, news releases, and speeches in conveying information and clarifying medical center's operations, programs and activities to specialized audiences and general public; applying expertise in the modification of standard methods and adaptation of approaches in developing new information materials aimed at enhancing the understanding of groups or individuals of the significant issues of an agency's program; having skill in assessing public reaction and identifying extent of understanding achieved to evaluate effectiveness of information programs; having familiarity and skill to explain significant issues to generally responsive groups or individuals interested in the agency's programs; having skills sufficient for providing representatives of the print and broadcast media, trade associations, and industrial representatives with timely and accurate explanations of agency policies and regulations. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Communications and MediaCustomer ServiceMultimedia TechnologiesProblem Solving IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Physical Requirements: The work is generally sedentary with walking required during visits and tours of Medical Centers. Flexibility is required to accommodate events and activities occurring in other than normal duty hours. Mobility s required in terms of staging 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

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VISN 23 Directors Office 2805 Dodd Road Suite 250 Minneapolis, MN 55121 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]