This position is located in the VA Salt Lake City Health Case System - George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center in Salt Lake City, UT. The Public Affairs Specialist is responsible for planning and implementing a public affairs program of a major medical facility and surrounding clinics in large catchment area. The work to include focus on Public Affairs Specialist duties related to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) 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*** This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-09 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. Major duties and responsibilities include but not limited to: Coordinating the development and implementation of communications strategies, policies and plans integrated within existing communication campaigns supporting our mission to better serve Veterans Coordinating new content placement and publishing; experimenting with ways to use communication approaches to position the VA as a strong community partner; tracking, measuring and analyzing web performance goals; coordinating with stakeholders to identify requirements for new web content development Identifying key social media sources (sites, blogs, discussion groups, bookmarking, key influencers) Developing a set of best practices and devise recommended rules of engagement for the use of web, media, social media; document the process based on the results that are achieved Monitoring activity and make recommendations based on strategy and trends Using technical expertise to develop and integrate social media platforms into Web application frameworks. Work with other internal groups Being responsible for web content (internal and external), postings, revisions and additions to the site Reevaluating and reorganizing how the website, looks, reads, and operates Creating a public affairs media kit for external internet page and a listserv and email groups Preparing responses to inquiries from interested groups and the general public concerning policies and activities of the medical facility public involvement program Writing news releases and articles regarding the medical facility mission, functions, programs, and policies to print and broadcast media representatives Organizing and coordinating print and broadcast media interviews with staff members; and making arrangements with the media involving medical facility activities Planning special events; assisting weekly bulletin and quarterly patient newsletter; and organizing outreach materials/displays and bulletin boards Serving as the primary point of contact for the communications plan associated with the EPA Superfund Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) project Coordinating with CERCLA Remedial Program Manager to ensure outreach and media activities are consistent with internal procedures Developing strategic internal and external messaging protocols and implementation Using data made available through the investigative results to develop action and communications plans with minimal guidance from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Messaging protocols will include liaison with local media, press releases, public community presentations, and community awareness campaigns Reporting to the VA Salt Lake City Pentad members, State of Utah Legislature, Salt Lake City governing officials, Environmental Protections Agency, Army Core of Engineers, and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality Work Schedule: Monday to Friday; 07:30 a.m. to 04:00 p.m. (1 day a month Telework eligible) Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized 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. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

Minimum Requirement: The following are minimum requirements for appointment as a Public Affairs Specialist in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which all applicants must met. Specialized Experience (GS-09): You must have one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (i.e., GS-07) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Qualifying examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: performing duties involving oral and written communication principles, practices, techniques, analytical methods, and interpersonal relations practices as a Public Affair Specialist for an organization; developing and modifying materials related to Public Affairs and organization's programs for web, media, social media, and special events; and responding and explaining significant issues to groups and individuals interested in the organization's programs assessing public reaction to organization's programs. (CLEAR DETAILS OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must show complete information for each job entry, such as beginning and ending dates of employment, duties performed, and/or total hours worked per week.) OR, Education (GS-09): Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. NOTE: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED: If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.) OR, Combination (GS-09): Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education as described above. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., 18 semester hours graduate education) may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-09. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED: If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.) Specialized Experience (GS-11): You must have one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (i.e., GS-09) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Qualifying examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to: performing duties involving oral and written communication principles, practices, techniques, analytical methods, and interpersonal relations practices as a Public Affair Specialist for an organization; developing and modifying materials related to Public Affairs and organization's programs for web, media, social media, and special events; responding and explaining significant issues to groups and individuals interested in the organization's programs assessing public reaction to organization's programs; and tracking data, evaluating performance goals, and making suggesting to improve effectiveness of information programs developed. (CLEAR DETAILS OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must show complete information for each job entry, such as beginning and ending dates of employment, duties performed, and/or total hours worked per week.) OR, Education (GS-11): Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. NOTE: One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED: If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.) OR, Combination (GS-11): Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education as described above. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level (i.e., 36 semester hours graduate education) may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-11. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED: If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: CommunicationsCreative ThinkingCustomer ServiceInterpersonal SkillsWriting 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: The work is generally sedentary and does not require unusual physical effort. Occasional requirements will include walking for 60-90 minutes in community settings; standing during presentations/briefings; visiting CERCLA investigative sites similar to a construction site. 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

IMPORTANT: 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address VA SALT LAKE CITY HCS 500 Foothill Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84148 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]