The incumbent directs the public affairs program for VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System (NWI) in Omaha, Nebraska, with full responsibility for planning, developing, and communicating the organization's programs, policies, and activities to the regional publics.

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to: Responsible for the development and implementation of multifaceted, cross-spectrum strategic communications plans in support of established VA NWIHCS strategic goals and initiatives. Plans, develops, and communicates NWI programs and services to regional and local publics. Develops and implements a proactive NWI public affairs and media program that enhances the perception and image of the Veterans Health Administration and VA Nebraska- Western Iowa Health Care System. Principle advisor on Public Affairs matters to the Director of VA Nebraska-Western Iowa HCS, executive leadership and organizational members. Advises and recommends appropriate action to NWI health care facilities and public affairs staffs to assure consistent adherence to national, VISN and local and practices. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with members of the news media, members of congress, and specialized groups interested in Veteran issues and statewide NWI activities. Serves as the NWI point of contact for the media and public information inquiries and as the liaison with NWI Executives, Service Chiefs, CBOC facilities, veteran service organizations, congressional staffs, and university affiliates in the areas of public relations and external affairs. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm 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 AD-HOC telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist/PD707260 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/08/2024. 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 by 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. You may qualify based on your 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: performing public relations type work for a multi-site medical center to include experience planning, organizing the day-to-day operations of public affairs and medical media programs; experience cultivating and coordinating relationships with a variety of stakeholders including high-ranking officials from state and local government, Veterans Service Organization representatives, local and regional media representatives, area business organizations, and public affairs directors from nearby hospitals and other private sector businesses to develop and maintain mutually beneficial partnership efforts; experience in supervising a team of media specialists and public affairs specialists to include goal setting, performance evaluations, training in specialized areas, conflict resolution, team building, customer relations and strategic planning; experience Coordinating events, crisis communications, and responding to Congressional Inquiries; identifying communication needs and developing informational materials to inform internal and external stakeholders of policies, programs, services and activities; skill in written and oral communication, analysis, and interpersonal relations is necessary. Providing authoritative guidance and advice to top management Executives, officials or stakeholders on the possible public and media reactions to proposed public affairs policy statement or agency actions; experience independently carrying out broad public affairs activities. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationsManaging Human ResourcesMultimedia TechnologiesPartnering 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Work is generally sedentary but may require some walking, standing, bending, carrying/traveling with items such as books and portable laptop. The work is usually performed in an office environment, meeting rooms or similar settings. Travel involves the normal risks and discomforts of automobile, bus, rail, or air transportation. 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 Nebraska-Western Iowa HCS - Omaha 4101 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, NE 68105 US
• Name: Kristine Cariaga
• Phone: 612-629-7570
• Email: [email protected]