Public Affairs Specialist is assigned to the Executive Director's Office. independently plans and carries out the projects, selecting the approaches and methods to be used in completing assignments. Projects are reviewed to determine that objectives are met, for compliance with Department policies and conformance with broad program goals and other national priorities. Assigns work in terms of priorities and objectives and is available for consultation in resolving controversial issues.

Duties

Include but not limited to: When developing recommendations for management concerning the medical facility's impact in the community analyzes and evaluates comments, proposals or suggestions from the local community, employees and media outlets. Cultivates and maintains contacts with institutions, state and city officials, community organizations, industry and other centers of influence to improve the public's understanding and awareness of medical facility activities. Analyzes and evaluates comments, proposals or suggestions in the local community, among employees and in the media outlets in developing recommendations. Initiates and prepares responses to inquiries from interested groups and the general public concerning policies and activities of the medical facility public involvement program. Establishes cooperative working relationships with the local media. Writes and disseminates news releases and feature articles regarding the medical facility mission, functions, programs, and policies to print and broadcast media representatives. Prepares scripts, audio-visual materials and brochures for ceremonies, briefings and orientations. Identifies items for information dissemination of medical facility mission. Arranges for special group tours and participates in special events. Develops public affairs action plans. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD10669-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/17/2025. 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. Minimum Qualification Requirement: 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Initiates and prepares responses to inquiries from interested groups/general public concerning policies and activities. Evaluates and advises management officials on specific courses of action for public announcements, particularly on policy statements which inform the public. Organizes and coordinates print and broadcast media interviews with staff members; and oversees all arrangements with the media involving medical facility activities. Analyzes and evaluates comments, proposals or suggestions in the local community, among employees and in the media outlets in developing recommendations for management. Initiates and prepares responses to inquiries and the general public concerning policies and activities of the medical facility public involvement program. Prepares scripts, audio-visual materials and brochures for ceremonies, briefings and orientations. Arranges for special group tours and participates in special events. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. Or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. Or LL.M., related to position. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an appropriate combination of specialized experience and education. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationConscientiousnessCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Stakeholder ManagementWriting 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 generally sedentary and does not require unusual physical effort. 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 CW Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 10000 Bay Pines Boulevard Bay Pines, FL 33744 US
• Name: Vilnalys Irizarry-Brisueno
• Phone: (787) 641-7582 X126196
• Email: Vilnalys.Irizarry-Brisueno@va.gov