This position serves as a Public Affairs Officer at the Erie VA Medical Center. The public information program involves the presentation of the VA 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 facility caring for veterans.

Duties

Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Officer/PD017830 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Supervises the Public Affairs Specialist and Visual Information Specialist who collectively perform writing, graphic design, outreach coordination, visual communication, web design, webmaster, SharePoint Administrator, publications along with coordination of photography and videography. Represents the Facility Director, participating at public, civic or social events to improve perception of the facility as a valued part of the medical profession, government, and community. Conducts special studies involving communications, organization, and operation of facility functions. Duties include developing reports along with recommendations to the Director including implementation and monitoring strategies. Studies often consist of controversial and critical observations, interpretations, and findings that are independently presented with the resultant recommendations. Analyzes internal communication needs and develops publications or other information materials for staff, patients, volunteers, and others who contribute to the facility effectiveness and responsiveness. The incumbent works with staff and program managers in identifying their information needs and assisting them with the development and dissemination of appropriate materials. Undertakes other assignments, such as coordination of special projects, at the direction of the Director. Special assignments could include coordination, participation and/or chairing special committees as assigned to meet stated objectives within a specific time frame. Advises and makes recommendations to the Director regarding the handling of media and community issue or concerns that have possible implications. Serves as the point of contact for the media and public information inquiries and as the liaison with other facilities, central office, the VHA VISN, and veteran organizations in the areas of public information and community relations. Plans, initiates, and implements comprehensive public affairs activities to enhance the understanding of the facility's programs among the public and specialized groups and organizations. Undertakes other assignments, such as speech writing or coordination of special events/projects at the direction of the Director. Establishes and maintains professional working relationships with representatives of the news media, responding in a timely fashion to information requests from the media in writing and orally to ensure the fair representation of VA/facility. Localizes material prepared for general release to the media; works with the VISN, VHACO and VACO Public Affairs Program Offices in the development of unified action on news stories that may have significant impact; markets information items to appropriate local and regional print and electronic media, and utilizes general and specialized news media to disseminate consumer information to various publics. Provides expertise in planning and implementation of special events, ceremonies, open houses, tours, and other activities conducted for the purpose of generating awareness of, and interest in the mission of VA and for public awareness. Prepares briefing packaged and slide presentations for VA guests from regional and central offices as well as congressional staff, veterans' organizations and all other community representatives and groups. Prepares and updates brochures on the facility, its personnel, and activities. Incumbent initiates public affairs correspondence, prepares information packages, conducts tours and other related tasks for special visitors and dignitaries, organizes select ceremonies, and writes speeches for the Director. Assists others in preparing, appropriate certificates/awards or letters of appreciation for staff, community individuals and groups who are supportive of mission and programs. Identifies opportunities to participate in community activities that enhance the public image of the VA, and specifically Erie VAMC. Hears and resolves minor complaints from employees; refers group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher-level supervisor or manager; effects minor disciplinary measures such as warnings and reprimands and recommends action in more serious cases. Interviews candidates for positions in the unit; recommends appointments, promotions, and reassignments to unit positions; identifies and provides for training needs; and finds ways to improve production or increase the quality of work within the area of authority. Performs other related duties as assigned Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized for Highly Qualified Candidates Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/03/2023. 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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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.You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Spokesperson for the facility, and is the point of contact for local and national media and is the liaison for the Medical Center stakeholders. Conducts the public affairs program for the facility with responsibility for developing and providing staff direction involving all public information, internal communications, VSO's, and community relations activities. Conducts special studies involving communications, organization, and operation of facility functions. Duties include developing reports along with recommendations to the Director including implementation and monitoring strategies. Analyzes internal communication needs and develops publications or other information materials for staff, patients, volunteers, and others who contribute to the facility effectiveness and responsiveness. Advises and makes recommendations to the Director regarding the handling of media and community issue or concerns that have possible implications and serves as the point of contact for the media and public information inquiries and as the liaison with other facilities, central office, the VHA VISN, and veteran organizations in the areas of public information and community relations. Provides technical and administrative supervision to a work unit of Public Affairs Specialist and Visual Information Specialist. 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. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communications and MediaCustomer ServiceOral CommunicationPerformance ManagementStakeholder ManagementWriting 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. 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. 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. 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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Erie VA Medical Center 135 East 38th Street Erie, PA 16504 US
• Name: Ahsha Konate
• Phone: 412-822-1454
• Email: [email protected]