This position is located in Public Affairs in Volunteer and Community Relations at the Detroit VA Health Care System. The incumbent is capable of performing at the full performance level of a Public Affairs Specialist, applying the rites news releases appropriate rules/regulations used in conducting Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) business. *Highly qualified candidates may be eligible for a recruitment incentive.*

Duties

Effectively expresses information to multiple audiences through clear, convincing oral and written communications; demonstrates logical thinking when describing facts and concepts, and shapes communications to meet the needs of a specific audience; actively and/or questions. Performs work related to public affairs and communication activities such as responding to media queries, and generating media interest. Responsible for writing, developing, editing and maintaining website content to keep the public informed of the organization's programs, services, accomplishments and point of view to improve access to VA health care. Responsible for managing and performing website editorial activities including gathering and researching information that enhances the value of the site. Locates, negotiates and pursues content. Researches, writes, edits, proofreads and copy edits a variety of documents for posting on the web and other electronic communication resources. Plans and sets up stories, features, information or data for online dissemination. Continuously promotes the use of Web site content and capabilities through available internal and external marketing media and resources. Develops, designs, implements, maintains and promotes the Detroit VA Internet/Intranet and SharePoint Sites in order to enhance information distribution. This includes the quality management of the sites; editorial management of content, quality and style; and user instruction, education and support as needed. Collaborates with Services and programs to review sites, provided design guidance and develop and maintain content routinely to ensure it meets VA, federal regulations and compliance requirements. Researches/prepares/provides photos, video or audio, facility data, publications, information papers and other materials as requested by media and/or leadership. Uses a variety of communications techniques/methods incl. print/ broadcast/ electronic media, to convey VA mission and role in the community to various stakeholder. Writes news releases and feature stories, information packets, media kits and fact sheets, and produces flyers and brochures. Provide support for public affairs and communication activities such as responding to and staffing media inquiries, organizing and coordinating print and broadcast media interviews and news conferences, identifying subject matter experts to respond to media requests, preparing subject matter experts/staff members for media interviews, pitching stories to the media, and writing news releases and features stories about health care, research and human interest activities throughout the health care system. Establishes effective relationships with local media, veterans service organizations, community groups and management officials. The incumbent meets with a variety of these groups to disseminate information, enhance relationships, and communicate DVAHCS and VHA policies. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm 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. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD911480 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May beAuthorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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, 09/06/2023. 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 GS11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS09. 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. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. 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 GS09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Developing information program tailored to audiences and realistic conditions to improve public understanding. Skill in evaluating the news value or communication potential of visual material including photographic and illustration. Skill in writing and editing news and feature articles. Skill in interviewing a variety of people and gathering information from many different sources. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. (Transcripts are required) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationCommunications and MediaExternal Awareness 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: Assignments regularly involve extended periods of walking, standing, bending, and stooping to execute logistics for special events or to accompany media crews or other special groups. Incumbent is also required to regularly pick up loads of 15 pounds such as boxes of newspapers and other literature and to push carts of supplies. 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

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

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 John D Dingell Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4646 John R Street Detroit, MI 48201 US
• Name: Mitchell Underwood
• Phone: 734-834-2968
• Email: [email protected]