This position is located within the Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence (AHBPCE), War Related Illness and Injury Study Center at the New Jersey VA Healthcare System in East Orange, New Jersey serving as a Public Health Communications Specialist. The purpose of this position is to provide strategic communications guidance and technical assistance for the AHBPCE and is responsible for assisting with the center's educational and outreach initiatives.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Develops communication and organizational plans by considering AHBPCE specific topics, which require emphasis, for effective media use for communication with intended audiences; Disseminates informational material in written and verbal national forums both internal and external to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA); Provides risk communication support to AHBPCE staff regarding messaging, conduct training and speaker support utilizing risk communication best practices; Considers the breadth and depth of issues and develops talking points and communication plans with information to sustain the integrity of program information; Provides guidance for media and presentation requests; Maintains open lines of communication, documents concerns, monitors media coverage of programs, and organizes/coordinates print and broadcast media interviews with executive leadership or subject matter experts; Attends AHBPCE/VHA meetings, Veterans outreach activities and conventions, and VHA Special Events, as needed, to help promote VA research findings and activities; Makes oral presentations to assist in disseminating information; Conveys complex information to audiences with limited understanding of organizational programs; Makes determinations and judgments as to the importance and sensitivity of the material being presented and ensuring appropriate tone and emphasis for effectiveness; Develops, implements, and evaluates health and risk communications messages, materials, and campaigns; Oversees communications work products of vendors; Develops scope for specific products and ensure contractor quality and timeliness; Manages multiple projects and deadlines, with attention to detail; Performs other directly related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized 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 telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position all applicants must possess the following minimum qualifications: 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 me the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Program Specialist - Communications, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes providing oversight and coordination of a communications program, services and/or activities; possess knowledge of the policies, regulations, and guidelines of functional areas related to communication, media relations, etc.; collects and analyzes data; and possess exceptional skill in communicating in person and in writing with individuals at all levels of responsibility. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate 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 as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Communications and MediaExternal AwarenessInformation ManagementInterpersonal EffectivenessStrategic ThinkingWriting 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: No unusual physical demands are required in performing the work. Work is generally performed in the office setting or other similar surroundings. 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.

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 VA New Jersey Health Care System 385 Tremont Avenue East Orange, NJ 07018 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]