The incumbent serves as the Public Affairs Specialist and Outreach Coordinator for the Lebanon VAMC. Lebanon VAMC is a complexity level 1c facility with five community based outpatient clinics serving nearly 44,000 Veterans in south central Pennsylvania. Incumbent reports directly to the Lebanon VAMC Public Affairs Officer (PAO).

Duties

Performs work related to public affairs and communication activities such as generating media interest and coordinating agency information in support of outreach and public affairs programs. Uses a variety of communication techniques and methods including print, broadcast, and electronic media to convey the VA mission and outreach efforts. Oversight and coordination of all written and exhibit materials that reflect the Lebanon VAMC in an accurate manner Produces written materials that transmit information concerning the nature and purpose of various outreach activities and Lebanon VAMC programs, activities and projects to the public Develops public involvement events that target concerned communities and establishes methods for reaching and eliciting input from targeted communities Collect, summarize and analyze public sentiment to develop recommendations for program improvements The incumbent participates in the development and implementation of all outreach programs and activities that are appropriate for expanding the patient base of the Lebanon VAMC and increasing the number of Veterans who receive care at the Lebanon VAMC and its CBOCs. Works closely with clinical service lines, Suicide Prevention Coordinators, Homeless Program staff, Eligibility, Veterans Experience Office, Transition & Care Management program staff, Women Veterans Program staff, and others to enhance outreach methods to maximize the growth potential of the Lebanon VAMC Identify outreach opportunities and work independently to coordinate staff, communication materials, and logistics including preparing outreach bins for community outreach events to maximize exposure of the Lebanon VAMC to Veterans and other stakeholders within the Lebanon VAMC catchment area Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Compressed/Flexible: Not immediately Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/00668-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/12/2023. 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 level. 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. Applicants that are applying for this position under the Veterans Recruitment Authority, are not required to submit an SF-50 unless they are a current VA employee. 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: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: 1) Maintains effective and cooperative work relationships with representative of local media, Veteran's Service Organizations and event organizers. 2) Works diplomatically with internal and external constituents 3) Develops public involvement events that target concerned communities. 4) Participates in the development and implementation of all outreach programs and activities 5) Works closely with clinical service lines to enhance outreach methods to maximize the growth potential.. 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 with the major study of a subject area related to the Training Specialist position or have 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in the major study of a subject area related to the Training Specialist position. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond . You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communications and MediaDecision MakingInterpersonal SkillsTechnology ApplicationVeteran and Customer Focus 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 Hospital. 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

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 Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 South Lincoln Avenue Lebanon, PA 17042 US
• Name: Tessy Wigfield
• Phone: 570-550-2889
• Email: [email protected]