This position is located within the Office of the Director at the VA Medical Center in Erie, PA. The Public Affairs Specialist position serves as a Public Affairs Officer which has designated authority and responsibility for design, implementation and leadership of the facility public affairs program.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Major duties include but are not limited to: 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; Serves as spokesperson for the facility and is the point of contact for local and national media; 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; 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; Undertakes other assignments, such as coordination of special projects, at the direction of the Director; Advises and makes recommendations to the Director regarding the handling of media and community issue or concerns that have possible implications; 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 the facility; Develops and utilizes a variety of methods and techniques in achieving communication goals, such as news releases, radio and television scripts, personal appearances, brochures, pamphlets, etc.; Localizes material prepared for general release to the media; 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 packages 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; Gives advice, counsel, and instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters; 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 Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required 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 ad-hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level, applicants must meet the following requirement: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Public Affairs Specialist, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes lead/supervisory experience such as directing the work of subordinates, managing performance, handling employee complaints, reviewing training needs, etc.; conducting the public affairs program for an organization; serving as a facility spokesperson; responding to media inquiries; developing and managing internal and external communications, web site content, publications, etc.; briefing members of the general public, media, etc.; resolving complex public affairs problems; and coordinating special events, press conferences, etc. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Communications and MediaCustomer ServicePerformance ManagementWriting IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. The person in this position 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: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]