The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Public Affairs Specialist (Outreach Coordinator). The Public Affairs Specialist (Outreach Coordinator) will function in Communications & External Affairs Service. The Public Affairs Specialist (Outreach Coordinator) will be expected to independently plan, coordinate, and execute work related to public affairs and communication activities.

Duties

The Public Affairs Specialist (Outreach Coordinator) duties include, but are not limited to: Gather and evaluate the appropriateness of educational material and benefits information distributed to Veterans and family members. Actively facilitate Veteran enrollment and coordinate vesting with local clinical and administrative entities. Draft written materials that transmit information concerning the nature and purpose of the various outreach activities and medical facility programs, activities, operations, and projects to the general public. Develop and direct publicity, material, news releases, and all public service announcements related to outreach and patient education events. Identify marketing opportunities and develop and implement initiatives and strategies to improve veteran understanding of available benefits and increase utilization of Medical Center services in currently underserved areas of the Cleveland VAMC catchment area. Implement, coordinate operations and scheduling, and logistical details of outreach activities to ensure effective efficient deployment of resources. Develop public involvement events that target concerned publics. Establish methods for reaching these publics and elicit input from the groups and demonstrate analytical techniques for evaluating public comments. Apply analytical techniques in the collection, summary, and analysis of public comments on program issues and develops recommendations for program improvements. Analyze department information program materials and offer recommendations for improving the delivery of program information to affected individuals and groups. Maintain effective and cooperative work relationships with representatives of the local and national media, Veteran's Service Organizations and event organizers. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Ad-hoc Telework Schedule Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist (Outreach Coordinator)/PD930520 and PD911190 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required NOTE: Position is expected to be moved to Independence, OH by the end of the 2024 fiscal year and applicant selected will be required to report to Independence, OH at that time.

Requirements

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the following requirements within 15 calendar days of the closing date listed on the announcement: 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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. 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 must be eligible under the VA Interchange Agreement, having served continuously for at least one year in the other merit system under this interchange agreement. For more information regarding the VA Interchange Agreement please visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/competitive-hiring/. All Title 38 Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) employees must have served in their Excepted Service position for at least 90 days in order to be eligible for a position within the Competitive Service. Applicants who were previously selected under a Competitive Delegating Examining Office (DEO) announcement must have served in their position for at least 90 days prior to being eligible for other positions within the Competitive Service. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-9 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Planning and organizing work; ability to inform Supervisor of potentially controversial findings, issues, or problems with widespread impact; identify outreach opportunities and develop and implement initiatives and strategies to maximize exposure of the VA to Veterans; and ability to independently prioritize projects and effectively manage multiple complex projects simultaneously. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must possess a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours 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. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have combination of specialized experience and education as described above. GS-11 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Plan the development and implementation of all outreach programs and activities; work independently to coordinate staff, communication materials, and logistics for community outreach events and will facilitate multiple scheduled outreach events; ability to communicate effectively with diverse veteran audiences about VA healthcare; workdiplomatically with internal and external constituents; apply problem-solving techniques; conduct research; plan community events; produce professional written, and oral presentations; maintain confidentiality of information; keep abreast of emerging issues which impact the LSCVAMC; meet critical deadlines and work flexible hours; and develop relationships with business and community leaders to foster communication and a favorable clinic reputation. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must possess a 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 to the work of the position. (Transcripts must be submitted). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have combination of specialized experience and education as described above. NOTE: Valid Driver's License Required You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Creative Thinking Decision Making External Awareness Interpersonal Skills 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: The work is both sedentary and walking, standing for prolonged periods of time, bending, reaching and carrying light to moderate medical mobile unit supplies. This position also requires frequent use of the hand held telephone while accessing different computer systems or while writing. Must be able to lift more than 40lbs and independently set up a VANEOHS branded canopy tent, tables, tablecloth, chairs and promotional materials at community engagement events designed for interaction with Veterans patients and potential patient enrollees. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System 10701 East Boulevard Cleveland, OH 44106 US
• Name: Karrie Kole
• Phone: (269)873-3563
• Email: [email protected]