The Lexington VA Health Care System (LVAHCS) is actively recruiting for an Interim Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist for a 120-day detail. The primary purpose of the position is to provide public affairs communication functions for the organization. Incumbent serves as spokesperson for the healthcare system, which includes representing the Executive Leadership Team at events of public or social nature and participation in a variety of events to improve perception of VA, VHA, and LVAHCS.

Duties

Incumbent serves as an Interim Supervisory Public Affairs Officer of the Lexington VA Health Care System (LVAHCS). Incumbent plans, directs, and programmatically manages the healthcare system's public affairs office, to include Outreach Coordinator (1), Visual Information Specialist (1), and Public Affairs Specialist (1).In this role, incumbent coordinates, maintains, and integrates public affairs; visual information, media relations, ceremonies, open house events, facility tours, community and affiliate relations, and any other activities conducted for the purpose of generating awareness of, and interest in the mission of the healthcare facility and for public awareness. Incumbent also manages and maintains platforms for internal/external communications that include the development and maintenance of both an internet and intranet site, Gov delivery systems, and multiple social media outlets. S/he serves as spokesperson for the healthcare system, which includes representing the Executive Leadership Team at events of public, civic, or social nature and participation in a variety of events to improve perception of VA, VHA, and LVAHCS.The incumbent is knowledgeable of overall department, healthcare system, VISN, VHA, and VA goals, missions, and priorities when it involves the Public Affairs Office. Program includes comprehensive public affairs, outreach, and marketing programs that communicate externally with a full range of agency and non-agency stakeholders. Stakeholders include, but are not limited to, individual members of the Community Veteran Engagement Boards (CVEBS), general public, local communities, state and local governments, congressional/legislative committees and staff, and the media. The position is based at the Troy Bowling campus of LVAHCS in Lexington, Kentucky. Occasional travel will be required to the LVAHCS community clinics, community events, VA events, and for training. Major duties consist of the following: Incumbent serves as senior Public Affairs Officer for LVAHCS and provides leadership and direction for the public affairs and outreach programs, to include supervision and management for Outreach Coordinator (1), Visual Information Specialist (1), and Public Affairs Specialist (1). The Public Affairs Officer is responsible for planning, developing, and communicating the organization's programs, policies, and activities to the public and electoral offices while displaying tact, common sense, diplomacy, discernment, initiative, and professionalism. Evaluates and advises management officials on specific courses of action to follow in making public announcements. Establishes and maintains proactive contacts with media outlets, legislative offices, veteran service organizations, and health care affiliates. Actively pitches, advocates, and submits stories to media outlets. Conducts market analysis via existing VA databases, various media forums, and current literature to evaluate regional program needs. Proactively advises executive leadership team of the information that should be made available to the public. Incumbent provides content and oversight of messages posted on LVAHCS social media outlets. Monitors social media for inappropriate content and responds to public social media comments. Receives feedback from the community about issues leadership should be aware of. Serves as the authoritative resource for media; works with other offices to provide authoritative advice and consultation to leadership, federal agencies, and other constituencies regarding specific communications and to amplify messaging. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Administrative day tour, Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm 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#: Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist ( Temporary Promotion)/PD073750 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized to a highly qualified candidate Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized Relocation expenses are authorized for this position, and may be offered to a highly qualified applicant. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers Permanent Change of Station (PCS) relocation services. Permanent Change of Station is the relocation of a household due to government convenience in connection with a transfer between duty stations or facilities. For more information go to http://vaww.fscdirect.fsc.va.gov/pcs.asp . Financial Disclosure Report: Not required ***Selectee may be required to serve one (1) year supervisory/managerial probationary period.***

Requirements

Qualifications

*********NTE 120 days, with the option to extend up to 12 months (This temporary position may be converted to a permanent position without competition).Current VA employees must get permission from their current supervisor if selected.********** To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/30/2023. 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-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. 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. Preferred experience: Veterans Health Administration Public Affairs, written communication editor. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: In addition to meeting the time-in-grade requirement, applicants must meet the following specialized experience: GS-13 Grade level Specialized Experience (GS13): You must have at least one year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a public affairs specialist. Qualifying specialized experience includes experience where you were responsible for serving as a spokesperson conducting media interviews, applying advanced communication and analytical practices, methods and techniques to the solution of complex public affairs problems; advising leadership on the development of communication plans and strategies; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with local media representatives and community groups; crisis communication and responding to Congressional Inquiries, identifying communication needs and developing informational materials to inform internal and external stakeholders of policies, programs, services and activities; and coordinating and implementing special events, ceremonies, outreach campaigns, tours, and other activities to generate public awareness of organization's mission. Selected applicants must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted State driver's license You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:AccountabilityAdministration and ManagementCommunications and MediaLeadershipMultimedia TechnologiesOrganizational Performance Analysis 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 sitting, 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 outreach supplies and other literature and to push carts of supplies. Work Environment: The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts requiring normal safety precautions typical of office settings or commercial vehicles such as planes, trains, buses, or automobiles. Most work is accomplished in an office-type setting involving minimal discomfort or risk. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, work does occasionally require incumbent to be outdoors and in other settings, as for special events, outreach activities, or as escort for media crews. The incumbent must possess a valid driver's license. 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/. Interchange Agreement: Applications will be accepted for this position under the Interchange Agreement as outlined in VA Handbook 5005, Part III, Appendix C. This agreement allows for the movement of Title 38 and Title 38 hybrid personnel, who have at least 1 year of full-time continuous service, to apply for competitive service positions. OPM 90 Day Waiting Period: OPM requires that all current permanent federal employees serve 90 days after their competitive selection in their current Title V position prior to moving to another position.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Lexington VA Health Care System 2250 Leestown Road Lexington, KY 40511 US
• Name: Michael Helton
• Phone: 615-582-2884
• Email: [email protected]