The VHA public information program involves the presentation of the Medical Center mission. services and activities to the staff, volunteers, members of the media, general public, veterans, local, state and federal officials and community groups in ways that most effectively achieve the VHA's goals while contributing to understanding and support of the Medical Center's caring for veterans.

Duties

*** Non-Bargaining Position *** Serving as the spokesperson, facilitator and coordinator to the media, congressional staffs and veterans service organizations, the community, VA and other governmental officials Developing campaigns and communication strategies that convey information to various publics and the staff about the Medical Center Developing and disseminating a wide range of information and data concerning the nature and objectives of Agency programs, employing all types of media, including radio, television, newspapers, magazines, professional and scientific journals, pictures, posters, and exhibits Coordinating news media interviews with staff and overseeing arrangements with media representatives involving organization activities; providing supporting materials as required Ensuring proper attribution of news stories between staff members holding joint appointments with the medical college Maintaining effective relationships with service chiefs and their staffs to refer and evaluate inquires made by the media as well as identifying newsworthy or feature events Establishing effective relationships with local media and veterans organizations, community groups and management officials Meeting with a variety of groups to disseminate information, enhance relationships, and communicate Medical Center and VHA policies and information about specialized programs and initiatives Acting as liaison with the VHACO and VACO Public Affairs Program Offices and the VISN Public Affairs Manager in matters of public affairs Developing and maintaining an internal public affairs program designed to enhance employee knowledge of and pride in the Medical Center health care organization. This may include publication of a newsletter, participation in new employee orientation, preparation of pamphlets, booklets, photo displays, fait sheets, video programs, etc., which enhance internal and external perceptions of the Medical Center Initiating public affairs correspondence, preparing information packages, conducting tours and other related tasks for special visitors and dignitaries, organizing select ceremonies and writing speeches for the Medical Center Director Actively participating in appropriate management committees; conducting special projects and analysis involving specific problems; coordinating activities for special projects and analyzing the impact or implications of events, proposals or directives 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 / PD-519-1132-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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, 10/02/2023. 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-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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: 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: skillful use of oral and written mass communication principles and techniques; analytical methods and effective interpersonal practices; the ability to develop and evaluate new strategies to solve public affairs problems and to analyze public reaction to Medical Center policies and actions; implement a comprehensive public affairs program involving public information, internal communication and community relations; counsel management and staff on the appropriate and most effective application of the public affairs initiatives and the evaluation of the impact of public issues; designing and implementing a marketing plan for the Medical Center and the ability to conceive and coordinate slide shows, videotapes and other audiovisual products; and, knowledge of Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts. 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: Multimedia Technologies Oral Communication Written Communication 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 generally sedentary, with walking required during visits and tours of the Medical Center. Flexibility is required to accommodate events and activities occurring in other than normal duty hours. Mobility is required in terms of staging and assisting staff with equipment and other required materials. Work may also require travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. 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.

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.

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]