This position is located in Public Affairs in the (Program Office or Service Line) at the (facility). This is an entry level Public Affairs Specialist position, applying the appropriate rules/regulations used in conducting Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) business as well as the Technical Career Field program guidelines. The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION. YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION.*** The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. As part of the VA's succession planning, the Technical Career Field (TCF) training program was created to ensure individuals are trained in critical areas that have current or predicted shortages. The program is nationally funded to include salary, benefits and training/travel dollars. At the time of acceptance into the TCF program, trainees will be asked to sign mobility, training, and service agreements. Relocation expenses for acceptance into the training program or for placement are not funded by the TCF program. Please keep in consideration, the training program is meant for those individuals who plan on staying with the VA a minimum of 3 years after completion of their training program. Selectees will be required to complete and sign the following paperwork; Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. Although not guaranteed, with more than 150 freestanding facilities and hundreds of clinic locations, we will strive to place trainees in positions that will work for their needs and the needs of the VA. This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-5/7 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. Performs supervised work related to public affairs and communication activities such as responding to media inquiries, generating media interest, and coordinating agency information and outreach programs, etc. Uses a variety of communication techniques and methods including print, broadcast, and electronic media to convey the VA mission and its role in the community to various stakeholders. Assists in the organization and coordination of print and broadcast media interviews and news conferences with subject matter experts. Writes news releases, feature stories, information packets, media kits, and fact sheets. Assists in planning and coordinating special events for various audiences. Establishes, maintains, and updates a facility events calendar. Reviews news coverage on VA-related topics to keep staff apprised of relevant issues. Provides news clippings to the Regional and VISN Public Affairs Offices, and other key Veterans Health Administration and VA officials in a timely manner. Archives news clip files for use by the agency historians' office and staff. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am - 4pm 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. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Requirements

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications for GS-5: Education: Possess a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). OR Experience: Possess 3 years of experiences and 1 year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4 grade level, to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively orally and in writing. OR Combination of Education and Experience: Possess a combination of education and experience as (described above) to meet total qualification requirements for the grade level. To calculate the combination of education and experience, determine the amount of experience you have as a percentage of the experience, required for the grade level. Then determine the amount of education you have as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Add the two percentages; the total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify for the grade level of GS-5. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Minimum Qualifications for GS-7: Superior Academic Achievement at the GS-7 level:(SAA) at the baccalaureate level in the coursework detailed above is fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for SAA, applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following: Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university or major subdivision. A grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp. For more information regarding SAA please visit http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp#e4f. OR Education: Possess at least one full year of graduate level study or possess a master's or higher degrees in a field that provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR Experience: Possess at least one year of work experience in public relations, community relations, advertising, or journalism etc.; or understanding of the practices and techniques of oral communications in developing and presenting briefings to print and media; or writing news releases and feature articles for dissemination through print media; or interacting with news media representatives or gathering and evaluating the appropriateness of information communicated through media. OR Combination of Education and Experience: Possess a combination of successfully completed graduate education and experience as (described above) to meet total qualification requirements for the grade level. To be computed by first determining the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level of GS-7. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Educational Experience (ACWA)Mathematical Skills (ACWA)Rating (ACWA)Social Organizations (ACWA)Work Experience (ACWA) 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. 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 full transcript conferred or awarded and dated 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 Togus VA Medical Center 1 VA Center Augusta, ME 04330 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]