The Public Affairs Outreach Specialist serves as the Veterans Outreach Program Coordinator at the Northern Indiana Health Care System (NIHCS) has the primary responsibility for planning, developing, implementing, directing, evaluating, and coordinating the programs related to Veteran outreach activities and strategies for the NIHCS.

Duties

The duties of the Public Affairs Specialist includes but is not limited to: Community Liaison / Outreach Program Coordinator Sets the operational approach to recruiting and enrolling new veterans into VA Northern Indiana. Works with Primary Care and Mental Health to retain and engage all current enrollees to maintain the associated Vet Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) funding. Works with the Business Office to keep abreast of all current VA eligibility, enrollment, and reimbursement policies. Establishes and maintains contact with minority organizations within the local area served by the facility. Provides transitional briefings to military, Reserve, and National Guard personnel transitioning from active duty as well as unenrolled veterans within the catchment area. Develops and distributes outreach material to include brochures, fact sheets, web content, and other targeted information which highlights VANIHCS facilities. Works with local and regional media including television, radio and print media to alert Veterans of the services that are available and ways in which they can enroll. Provides training and information to VA staff, other federal agencies and community agencies regarding services available and information specific to VANIHCS. Organizes and participates in a myriad of community activities and events that have high probability of veterans presence. Public Affairs Specialist Performs work related to public affairs communication activities such as responding to media inquiries, generating media interest, and coordinating agency information. Researches, prepares, and takes/provides photographs, video or audio tapes, medical center operation data, publications, information papers, and other materials as requested by media outlets or VA staff. Writes news releases, feature stories, extended captions, speeches, social media and web posts/stories. Prepares information packets, media kits, fact sheets. Produces various graphic materials such as newsletters, flyers, and brochures. Performs site visits to locations in the community to determine if the location is appropriate for conducting outreach events. Photographs and records events using proper procedures such as image release documents. Coordinates events includes but is not limited to, assisting with budget development, contracting, procurement, logistics, planning, personnel, public relations, engagement, and development of public/private partnerships. Utilizes oral and written communication skills to establish and maintain functional working relationships with diverse populations. Works with Medical Media to complete and/or edit informational materials for individual events (posters, brochures, signs, etc.). Enhances employee knowledge and pride in the healthcare system through internal communications, special employee displays, and orientation materials. Performs other duties as assigned. Public Affairs Office Support Acts as a backup for print media and photography. Edits still photography using government approved applications. Research complex issues to determine the best mode of communication needed for the intended audience. Assists to produce short videos, interviews, and commercials involving Executive Leadership, Service Chiefs, Veterans, and frontline staff. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Available on an ad-hoc basis. Arrangement may be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD924400 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/16/2024. 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-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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 experience and/or education as described below: GRADE DETERMINATION GS-11 1. Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have either of the following: PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field such as Communications, Journalism, Public Affairs, OR Three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in the above related fields. OR, 2. Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experiences must meet all of the following: Applies VA Healthcare enrollment eligibilities and or Public Affairs policies. Utilizes camera equipment for photos and videos; Builds community relationship and or partnerships. OR, 3. Combination of Education and Experience:: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a Bachelor's degree. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level, GS-9, may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-11. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Communications and MediaInformation ManagementMultimedia TechnologiesPlanning and Evaluating 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. 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/. Physical Requirements: The regular and recurring work of the position involves both sitting at a desk as well as walking in patient care areas of the medical facility. Frequent use of automobile and public conveyances may be required. No special physical exertion is required. A High level of physical energy is required, as the incumbent will be expected to meet with many people in many different locations during a workday. Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office as well as clinics and other care areas of the Health Care System. There is Veteran contact with the possibility of exposure to communicable diseases. It is expected that a major portion of the services provided will be conducted away from the office, in the offices of other agencies, and in non traditional settings. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. NOTE: Your application will be verified against the information you provide on your resume, documents, and information supplied by your references. If you do not clearly describe your experience in your resume, you will be rated ineligible. We cannot make assumptions about your work experience and skills.

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 Northern Indiana HCS 1700 East 38th Street Marion, IN 46953 US
• Name: Henry Chen
• Phone: 646-469-5108
• Email: [email protected]