The primary purpose of the Public Affairs Specialist is developing, managing, and executing the West Texas VA Health Care System (WTVAHCS) outreach program by conducting and supporting work related to public affairs communication activities such as writing stories, taking photos and videos, generating media interest, responding to media queries, creating, and posting content on social media and web-based platforms. The incumbent will report directly to the Executive Assistant to the Director.

Duties

*** Non-Bargaining Position *** Outreach Program Coordinator 50% Plans the development and implementation of WTVAHCS outreach programs and activities across the WTVAHCS catchment area that helps ensure Veterans of all eras and demographics are aware of VA services they may be eligible for and enable them to receive those services. Collaborates closely with a variety of clinical and non-clinical service lines and program staff to maximize the impact, efficiency and effectiveness of their outreach activities, requests or requirements while capitalizing on synergistic opportunities. Works closely with and fosters meaningful working relationships with other government, non-government, non-profit and for-profit organizations to advance the mission of WTVAHCS and to meet the objectives of this position. This includes, but is not limited to identifying, creating, promoting, and supporting community events, speaking opportunities, and Veteran experience/engagement as well as coordinating for staff support and participation. Public Affairs Specialist 50% Performs work related to public affairs communication activities such as responding to media inquiries, generating media interest, and coordinating agency information. Researches, prepares, and takes/provides photographs, video or audio tapes, medical center operation data, publications, information papers, and other materials as requested by media outlets or VA staff. Organizes and coordinates print and broadcast media interviews and news conferences with subject matter experts. Uses a variety of communication techniques and methods including social media, web, print, broadcast, and other electronic media to convey the VA mission and its role in the community to various stakeholders. Writes news releases, feature stories, extended captions, speeches, social media, and web posts/stories, prepares information packets, media kits, fact sheets, and produces various graphic materials such as newsletters, flyers, and brochures. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual/remote position. Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist / PD00653-A, PD00654-A, and PD00655-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to physically attend events in the community in indoor and outdoor venues and be able to stand and sit for up to 6 hours at a time. Assignments regularly involve working in an office environment that includes working at a desk with a computer, attending meetings, periods of walking, standing, bending, and stooping, executing logistical needs to support events or to accompany/escort visitors, 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. Incumbent will regularly need to operate specialized equipment such and digital cameras or audio equipment.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/22/2023. 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-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. 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. GS-7 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include: knowledge of written and oral communication principles and techniques, analytical methods, and interpersonal relations practices; ability to draw conclusions and offer meaningful recommendations in improving aspects of information materials, dealing with others in achieving mutually beneficial objectives, conveying detailed oral and written program information in a variety of formats, and gathering and reporting public reaction to information programs; plan, draft and edit news, feature, and quasi-technical articles for a medical facility newsletter; explain the medical facility programs and policies to the public and obtain reaction to the information provided; establish and maintain effective working relationships with groups interested in or affected by agency programs or policies; and analyze department information program materials and offer recommendations for improving the delivery of program information to affected individuals and groups. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one full year of graduate level education (18 semester hours) [such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work] or superior academic achievement (Transcript Required). S.A.A. is based on: class standing: applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses., grade-point average: a-3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or b-3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum, or honor society membership as outlined by the Association of College Honor Societies. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a bachelor's degree. (Transcript Required) GS-9 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include: knowledge of public relations, community relations, advertising, and journalism including media technical requirements and practices; knowledge of the practices and techniques of oral communications in developing and presenting briefings to print and broadcast media; knowledge of broadcast media production; skill in writing news releases and feature articles for dissemination through print media; skill in effectively interacting with news media representatives; and, skill in gathering and evaluating the appropriateness of information communicated through media. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B. or J.D., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (Transcript Required) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond 18 semester hours of graduate level education. (Transcript Required) GS-11 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include: knowledge of public relations, community relations, and journalism including media relations and practices; developing, managing, and implementing outreach programs and activities for an organization involving Veteran-related organizations, health care organizations, VA programs, tribal organizations, colleges and universities, other government, non-profit or for-profit organizations, Veterans, staff, and other stakeholders; planning/organizing/managing multi-faceted community events/activities involving multiple services and organizations; developing, fostering positive working relationships with internal and external organizations; preparing reports, maintaining data, and using analytical techniques to measure/evaluate the effectiveness/impact of outreach efforts and public sentiment to improve outreach strategies and plans; skills of the public affairs/communication field including Associated Press (AP) writing style, proper use of grammar, writing, and editing practices for producing and/or editing news; thorough knowledge of the unique characteristics of the VA healthcare delivery systems, organizational structure, resources, programs, and eligibility in general; interviewing and gathering information from various sources; and, using variety of computer software programs such as Word, Excel, Publisher, Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, In Design. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (Transcript Required) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a master's degree. (Transcript Required) You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communications and Media Creative Thinking Customer Service 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

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.

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

If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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.

One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement.

Contacts

• Address George H O'Brien Jr VA Medical Center 300 Veterans Boulevard Big Spring, TX 79720 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]