As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the Nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.vacareers.va.gov/.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact on the last page of the JOA for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the Nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.vacareers.va.gov/.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact on the last page of the JOA for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
Position Description Title/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist #6569
Duties:
The
incumbent provides the full spectrum of public affairs support for the VAMC, to
include serving as the primary writer-editor for the facility, managing
internal information to employees, media relations and community
relations/outreach programs. He/she serves as a point of contact for
media; Veteran's service organizations, congressional staffs, community groups,
professional organizations, etc. He/she conducts the public affairs
program with responsibility for developing and providing staff direction
involving all public information, internal communications, VSO liaison and
community relations activities. He/she often represents the VAMC
Executive Leadership, participating at public, civic, or social events to
improve perception of the VAMC as a valued part of the medical profession,
government and community.
- Manages
the My Life, My Story program, to include recruiting Veterans on inpatient
units to participate, conducting and recording interviews, writing 800-1000
word narrative based on interview, and editing stories submitted by program
volunteers.
-
Writes/edits articles highlighting facility accomplishments – to include
Research-based findings and/or studies, annual report, newsletter, speeches,
presentations as well as print, broadcast and electronic media, drafts copy
that targets unique audiences, follows AP style and fact checks final content
for accuracy.
- Advises
the VAMC Executive Leadership regarding media relations issues.
- Responds
to, or prepare responses to queries as appropriate. Coordinates responses
to sensitive issues with the Durham VAMC Public Affairs Officer.
- Establishes
and maintains professional working relationships with local news media,
ensuring responses to media queries are accomplished in a timely and factual
fashion.
- Analyzes
VAMC communication needs, tailoring specific communication strategies to reach
target audiences using all appropriate communication tools.
- Prepares
and distributes information to educate and inform local audiences about VA
health care programs and policies. Localizes material supplied by VHA for
release to area media. Coordinates with Durham VAMC Public Affairs
Officer and the VISN communications office to develop unified action on news
stories as appropriate.
- Develops
and uses a variety of methods and techniques in achieving communication goals,
such as news releases, radio and television scripts, personal appearances,
social media, web platforms, brochures, pamphlets, etc.
- Evaluates
the effectiveness and efficiency of the media relations program.
- Acts
as backup to the Durham VAMC Public Affairs Officer as needed.
Subject to a background/suitability investigation.
Time in grade must be met by closing date of this announcement
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Physical Requirements: This position is sedentary.
Time-in-grade: 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. For a GS11
position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09 level.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement
A
Selective Placement Factor is used to rate applications for this announcement.
The required experience must be documented in your resume. Applicants who do
not meet the Selective Placement Factor will be rated as not qualified for the
announcement.
Selective
Placement Factor: Do you have one year copyediting
experience in a medical field with three years' experience in a health care
setting?
Preferred Qualifications: 5+ years' experience in writing-editing
Specialized Experience: Conduct a public affairs program involving public information, internal information, and community relations activities for internal and external audiences.
Applicants 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: Public relations programs management in health care environment; design of marketing and advertising materials programs and campaigns.
OR
Education Substitution:
Successful completion of 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.
OR
Combination of education
and experience: An equivalent combination of specialized
experience and education as described for the GS-11 that demonstrates your
ability to perform the duties of this position.
Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-11. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
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.
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.
Additional information
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
You will be rated on the following competencies based on your application for this position.
Competency 1 – KNOWLEDGE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAMS MANAGEMENT IN HEALTH CARE ENVIRONEMENT
Competency 2
- SKILL IN DESIGNING MARKETING AND
ADVERTISING MATERIALS, PROGRAMS, AND CAMPAIGNS
Competency 3 - ABILITY TO PLAN AND ORGANIZE
PROGRAMS, CAMPAINGS, AND OTHER EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Competency 4 - ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE IN WRITING
Competency 5 - ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE ORALLY WITH A VARIETY OF INDIVIDUALS
If
you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit
additional job related information, which may include, but not limited
to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a
work sample, and/or contact for an interview.
Your
résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow
all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating
or consideration for employment.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Current and previous federal employees must submit a SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing highest grade held.
Please use this checklist to ensure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), or 10pt (CP/CPS, XPP, XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP), on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section(s) provided. A legible copy of your DD214(s) indicating character of service, disability certification, SF-15 (if claiming 10 pt. preference) or if you are currently serving on active duty and expected to be released or discharged within 120 days; documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation. Documentation is required for eligibility verification.
Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents: You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents to your online application, follow the directions located at the following site: Fax Options. The Vacancy ID of the job opportunity announcement is 1940038.
NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203-FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the View Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
VHA Durham VAMC
HUMAN RESOURCES - 05
DURHAM, NC 27705
UNITED STATES
Next steps
After
we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the
vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure
qualification and eligibility requirements are met. During our review, if
your résumé and application package do not support your questionnaire answers,
we will adjust your rating accordingly. After the review is complete, a
referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their
status by email (if provided); otherwise, applicants will receive a
notification letter via the U.S. Postal Service. Referred applicants will
be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an
interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a
selection decision has been made.
You
may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS
account and clicking on “Application Status.” For a more detailed update
of your status, click on “more information.” Information regarding applicant
notification points can be found in the USAJobs Resource Center.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Current and previous federal employees must submit a SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing highest grade held.
Please use this checklist to ensure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), or 10pt (CP/CPS, XPP, XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP), on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section(s) provided. A legible copy of your DD214(s) indicating character of service, disability certification, SF-15 (if claiming 10 pt. preference) or if you are currently serving on active duty and expected to be released or discharged within 120 days; documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation. Documentation is required for eligibility verification.
Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents: You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents to your online application, follow the directions located at the following site: Fax Options. The Vacancy ID of the job opportunity announcement is 1940038.
NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203-FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the View Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
VHA Durham VAMC
HUMAN RESOURCES - 05
DURHAM, NC 27705
UNITED STATES
Next steps
After
we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the
vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure
qualification and eligibility requirements are met. During our review, if
your résumé and application package do not support your questionnaire answers,
we will adjust your rating accordingly. After the review is complete, a
referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their
status by email (if provided); otherwise, applicants will receive a
notification letter via the U.S. Postal Service. Referred applicants will
be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an
interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a
selection decision has been made.
You
may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS
account and clicking on “Application Status.” For a more detailed update
of your status, click on “more information.” Information regarding applicant
notification points can be found in the USAJobs Resource Center.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
