Independently performs 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. Organizes and coordinates print and broadcast media interviews and news conferences with subject matter experts. 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 stakeholders.

Duties

Knowledge of public relations, community relations, advertising, and journalism including, media technical requirements and practices. Knowledge of grammar, writing, and editing practices; and the style requirements of the media and the publications used. Knowledge of the practices and techniques in planning and developing news stories and feature articles in laying out a publication. Skill in 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 photographs and illustrations. Skill inwriting and editing news and feature articles. Skill in interviewing a variety of people and gathering information from many different sources. In the performance of official duties, the employee has regular access to printed and electronic files containing sensitive information, which must be protected under the provision of the Privacy Act of 1974, the HIPAA implementation, effective April 14, 2003 and other applicable laws and regulations. The employee is responsible for (1) protecting that information from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion, and (2) following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set forth in the hospital's Automated Information Systems Users Agreement which the employee signs. Manages information security within areas of responsibility to assure that computer system security and confidentiality of sensitive information is maintained, and that employee access to sensitive information is limited only to that which the employee requires to perform their duties. Takes action as necessary to report and address violations of information security. Meets the needs of customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD221380 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, 10/17/2023. 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. GS-11 LEVEL GRADE REQUIREMENTS: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Must have one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in Federal service that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes develops operating procedures, organizes and coordinates systematic review programs, and establishes review plans to ensure compliance with: knowledge and 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; knowledge of VA/VHA Region/ VAMC personnel, policy and procedures; knowledge of designing and implementing a marketing plan for the Medical Center and the ability to conceive and coordinate slide shows, videotapes and other audiovisual products; knowledge is needed to act as the resource within the Medial Center to 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. OR Substitution of Education for Experience: 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 to the Public Affairs Specialist position, obtained in an accredited college or university which may be substituted for specialized experience to qualify for this grade 11 position. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent one (1) year of full-time study. If the number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours will be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. Transcripts Required --OR-- Combination of Experience and Education: Equivalent combinations of education at the Ph.D. level and specialized experience directly related to the work of the Public Affairs Specialist position, which may be used to meet the experience requirements for this GS-11 position. For example, nine (9) months of appropriate specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 (75 percent of the experience requirement for GS-11) and 2 ½ years of successfully completed graduate level education (50 percent of the required education, i.e., the applicant has ½ year of graduate study beyond that required for the GS-09), would exceed the total requirement and be qualified for the GS-11 position. NOTE: Only education in excess of 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education may be used to qualify at the GS-11 level. Transcripts Required. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationsInterpersonal SkillsTechnical CompetenceVeteran and Customer FocusWriting 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. The employee must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to complete the duties of the position including those necessary to provide care appropriate to the age and population specific needs of the patients served. Such knowledge and skills are identified in the Competence Assessment Checklist of the position and include knowledge and skills in: Communication and interpersonal relations, including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers. Maintenance of confidentiality of patient/employee information, electronic and print. The medical center performance improvement program. How to work and function in the medical center in a safe manner, including infection control and the correct operation of equipment. Preferred Experience: Public Relations Experience-media relations, writing, editing, social media, website design/maintenance, SharePoint, media/flyer layout and design, Photoshop and Adobe. 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 Oscar G Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility 325 East H Street Iron Mountain, MI 49801 US
• Name: Cosby Johnson
• Phone: 515-323-7575 X3239
• Email: [email protected]