The Public Affairs Officer supports two divisions (Portland and Vancouver), ten CBOC's, a network of affiliated Vet Centers, community, academic and military partnership and a Fisher House. In doing so, the incumbent shapes strategic communications and positions the health care system to promote VHA's mission, services, achievements and activities.

Duties

Major duties include but it not limited to: Develops and implements policies and procedures for the public affairs and Minority Veterans Program activities including the dissemination of VA information, correcting misperceptions and enhancing public understanding of its mission and accomplishments Advises Director and Executive team on sensitive Medical Center issues Develops and coordinates both internal and external communication plans Responsible for general media relations and other critical public affairs duties, such as crisiscommunications, research publicity, building relationships with veteran's service organizations,congressional offices and other community stakeholders Participates in city/regional-wide hospital disaster planning groups for public information officers Researches, develops, and disseminates information materials (press releases, advisories,briefing documents, and talking points) on major health and policy issues for the facility Oversees all media events and serves as "first responder" for all media inquiries Responsible for independently performing and representing/promoting a wide range of customer focused public relations and communications activities Plans, initiates and implements comprehensive public affairs activities by preparing anddisseminating information that is proactive, consistent, timely and appropriate for the intended target audience with a high quality, customer-centric focus Evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of the internal information programs, media relations and community relations programs in achieving greater understanding of the facility's mission and goals Establishes and maintains a cooperative working relationship with congressional and news media representatives to ensure a fair representation of the medical center Counsels and advises VA Portland Health Care System leadership on the possible public and media reactions to proposed policy statements and medical center actions Responsible for written and electronic communications products, news and media relations, congressional and government relations Serves as the facility spokesperson, strategic consultant and media advisor to leadership, service line leaders, and program managers Responsible for analysis of medical center information needs, goals and resources tailoring specific communication strategies using all media to reach target audiences, both internal and external Develops and produces print, web-based emergency and crisis communications including but not limited to high profile, at risk situations, requiring fast turnaround, accuracy of facts andsound judgment in style of notifications during local, regional or national emergencies Represents the Medical Center and its leadership by participating in and/or coordinating public, civic or social events to improve perception of the VA as a valued part of the medical profession Responsible for supervision of complex administrative staff and is responsible for work assignments, leave approval, developing performance standards, rating employees, planning,scheduling, resolving complaints, program direction, coordination of work and recommending disciplinary actions Establishes operating guidelines and coordinates activities of subordinate employees relating toorganizational structure, work review and reporting requirements to achieve high level management goals, new programs or changed program goals Prepares formal requests and recommendations for promotion, reassignments, and other statuschanges Provides developmental opportunities to ensure that each employee reaches their full potential Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm 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. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist/PD21700-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 04/15/2024. 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 within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. 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. You may qualify based on your specialized experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Responsible for general media relations and other critical public affairs duties, such as crisis communications, research publicity, building relationships with service organizations, congressional offices and other community stakeholders; Researches, develops, and disseminates information materials (press releases, advisories, briefing documents, and talking points); Planning, initiating and implementing comprehensive public affairs activities by preparing and disseminating information that is proactive, consistent, timely and appropriate for the intended target audience with a high quality, customer-centric focus; Supervises a complex administrative staff making work assignments, approve leave, develops performance standards, rates employees, plans, schedules, resolves complaints, gives program direction, coordinates work and recommends disciplinary actions. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationsCommunications and MediaWriting 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 usually performed sitting at a desk, in news conferences, briefings, meetings, etc., or riding in an automobile or public transportation. There may be occasional brief visits to industrial or construction sites, national parks or forests, military equipment test sites, etc.; however, no special physical demands are involved in performing the work. 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 VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: John Buan
• Phone: 503-220-8262 X59964
• Email: [email protected]