As the Public Affairs Specialist for the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Healthcare System, you will be responsible for assisting in the implementation of the Office of Public Affairs programs which includes media relations, customer service, marketing, patient advocacy, congressional affairs, and medical media. Assistance may include coordinating special events for the VCB Director or designee, leading site visits, tours, media availabilities, and/or serving as a chairperson for committees and boards. You must have the knowledge and expertise/skill to analyze media's and stakeholder's reaction to VHA programs and policies in developing significant input to those programs and policies. Expertise in developing written material and making oral presentations that will increase the understanding among the stakeholders with varying levels of comprehension of VHA programs and policies or opposition or indifference to the Agency program objectives. You will be responsible for all incoming congressional correspondence. This will require you to work closely with administrative officers and service chiefs in collecting information and data required.

• Develop new methods and approaches to planning, integrating and evaluating the Office of Public Affairs programs.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and techniques used to build relationships with Senatorial and Congressional Affairs, State of Texas representatives, and local elected officials.
• Knowledge of basic graphic design, newsletter development, internet/intranet content development and social media (new media) development/experience.
• Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) as it applies to handling incoming inquiries for VCB.
• Record complaints appropriately, determine and assign responsibility for action to appropriate management officials and follow up to ensure timely resolution and response.
• Flexibility and dedication when VCB demands required services beyond the normal work hours.
• Must be proficient in writing, understand and speaking in both English and Spanish.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

Position Description: Public Affairs Specialist, 740-0003-O

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation.
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required.
• Must meet time in grade requirement by closing date of announcement.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be able to read, write, and speak in English and Spanish.

Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion such as extensive walking, long periods of standing, taking stairs, bending, and carrying boxes of paper work or files. Some of the work is sedentary in a office setting.  However the incumbent works and circulates throughout the VCB. Flexibility is required to accommodate events and activities occurring in other than normal duty hours.  

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 GS-11 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.

GS-11 Specialized Experience:

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: Providing both technical and programmatic assistance to a health care systems internal and external communication groups; establish and maintain working relationships with all media; develop and disseminate informational materials appropriately.

• Ability to speak, write, and understand both English and Spanish.
• Knowledge of the basic graphic design, newsletter development, internet/intranet content development and social media (new media) development.
• Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), HIPPA, and Privacy Act as it applies to handling incoming inquiries of the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System.
• Comprehensive knowledge of understanding of health care services.
• Knowledge of computer operations and software, especially VHA applications as Vista, and CPRS.

OR

Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-11 level with at least three full years of progressively higher level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree with a major study of journalism, communication, advertising, marketing, public relation or other field directly related to this position being filled.

OR

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-11 level. 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.

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.

This position includes a Selective Placement Factor. Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum qualification requirements for this position.  Applicants who do not meet it will be ineligible for further consideration.  The Selective Placement Factor for this position is:

Applicants must possess the ability to speak and write fluently and proficiently in English and Spanish in order to receive consideration for this position.

Applicants inability to proficiently speak and write in English and Spanish will result in an ineligible rating.  The hiring facility will interview or test to evaluate the applicants ability to write in English and Spanish.

You will also be rated on the following competencies based on your application for this position.

• Knowledge of basic graphic design, newsletter development, internet/intranet content development and social media (new media development/experience.
• Knowledge of the Freedom on Information Act (FOIA), HIPPA, and Privacy Act as it applies to handling incoming inquiries.
• Comprehensive knowledge of understanding of health care services.
• Knowledge of computer operation and software, especially VHA applications as VistA and CPRS.
• Knowledge of both print/TV /news media communications/relations.

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 resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified.  Please follow all instructions carefully.  Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.