• Performs work related to public affairs and communication activities such as responding to media inquiries, generating media interest, and coordinating agency information and outreach programs, etc.
• Assists in the organization and coordination of print and broadcast media interviews and news conferences with subject matter experts.
• Uses a variety of communication techniques and methods including print, broadcast and electronic media to convey the VA mission and its role in the community to various stakeholders.
• Writes news releases, feature stories, speeches, information packets, media kits, fact sheets and produces various graphic materials such as newsletters, flyers, and brochures.
• Assist in planning and coordinating special events for various audiences.
• Establishes, maintains and updates a facilities events calendar.
• Reviews news coverage on VA-related topics to keep staff apprised of relevant issues.
• Provides news clipping to the Regional and VISN Public Affairs Offices, and other key VHA and VA officials in a timely manner.
• Archives news clip files for use by the agency historians office and staff.
• Researches, prepares, and provides photographs, video or audio tapes, medical center operation data, publications, information papers, and other materials as requested by media outlets or management staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• You must be a recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years.

Qualifications

In order to be eligible for an appointment under the TCF Recent Graduate Program you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution such as an accredited technical or vocational school; a 2- or 4-year college or university; a graduate or professional school (e.g., law school, medical school); or a post-secondary home school curriculum. Note: Certificate program is defined as post-secondary education in a qualifying educational institution equal to at least one academic year of full-time study that's part of an accredited college-level, technical, trade, vocational, or business school curriculum.
• Veterans (as defined in 5 USC 2108) who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon their release or discharge from active duty; however, this eligibility period cannot extend beyond 6 years from the date of completion of the requirements of an academic course of study.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/25/2018.

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-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5.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. 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:
For the GS-7:
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in the organization and coordination of print and broadcast media interviews and news conferences with subject matter expert.
• Assist in writing news releases and feature stories, and assembling information packets and media kits.
• Perform supervised work related to public affairs and communication activities such as responding to media queries.
• Review news coverage of VA-related topics to keep staff apprised of relevant issues.

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: Work is generally sedentary with walking required during visits and tours of the medical center. Flexibility is required to accommodate events and activities occurring in other than normal duty hours. Mobility is required in terms of staging and assisting staff with equipment and other required materials. The work environment involves normal everyday risks and discomforts of office settings. The work area is lighted, heated and ventilated.

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.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. 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.