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Public Affairs Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs, Inspector General
This job announcement has closed

Summary

OIG is organized into seven operational units: the Immediate Office of the Inspector General, Office of the Counselor, Office of Audits and Evaluations, Office of Healthcare Inspections, Office of Investigations, Office of Management and Administration, and Office of Special Reviews. In addition to the Washington, DC, headquarters, OIG has offices located in more than 60 locations throughout the country.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/26/2021 to 04/09/2021
This job will close when we have received 200 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$103,690 to - $134,798 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - Occasional travel may be required 1 to 5 nights per month.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Full-time
Work schedule
Full-time - Career/Career Conditional
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Announcement number
21-VAOIG-156
Control number
596543400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All candidates who are: Current or former federal employees qualifying as Status Candidates, Federal employees currently serving on a VRA, VEOA eligibles, CTAP/ICTAP eligibles, eligible for special hiring authorities (e.g., the Schedule A appointment for persons with disabilities, or covered by an Interchange Agreement), or Land Management employees eligible under Public Law 114-47.

Duties

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The Public Affairs Specialist position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General (VA OIG), Office of Public Affairs and Communications. This office is responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures associated with public affairs and internal and external communications programs for the VA OIG.

The Public Affairs Specialist position reports to the Director of the Office of Public Affairs and Communications (VA OIG). The incumbent supports the Office of Communications’ mission by providing a wide range of program support and public affairs activities for VA OIG. The incumbent’s activities are designed to increase awareness and utilization of the VA OIG’s oversight programs, products, and initiatives. The incumbent plays a significant role in developing and implementing the strategies for internal communications and external communications. In addition, the incumbent is an expert in communications tactics and aware of the strengths and weaknesses of various outreach techniques.

As a Public Affairs Specialist, you will:

• Oversee the identification of appropriate content and develop myriad types of communications and marketing efforts and initiatives. Maintain familiarity with communications and marketing techniques and practices commonly used throughout the industry. Based on progressive experience gained in a marketing or communications function within industry, other government agencies, or combination thereof, play a key role in increasing the demand for VA OIG's oversight products and services.

• Possess excellent interpersonal skills sufficient to market VA OIG products and services; resolve conflicts and foster collaboration within and outside VA OIG. Organize and deploy exhibits and conferences; cultivate positive relationships with industry, VA, and VA OIG senior management and staff, Congress, Veteran Service Organizations, the media, and the public. Plan, design, develop, and execute comprehensive national external campaigns to convey information concerning the VA OIG’s oversight programs.

• Serve as the main point of contact concerning the timeliness and quality of work products and assigned responsibilities for the VA OIG public affairs efforts. Ensure that public affairs functions are performed in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible. At the direction of senior leadership, establish priorities, manage day-to-day operations, monitor workload, and ensure deadlines are met. Provide updates to keep VA OIG managers informed about current status of the Team's work products. Work closely with senior leadership to develop budget requests for contract services, travel, newsletters, publications, etc., used to support the VA OIG’s outreach activities.

• Prepare oral written reports, Congressional testimony, Inspector General town hall narratives, and presentations and ensure that promotional materials are presented in a clear, concise, and effective manner for the targeted audience.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Please refer to "Conditions of Employment."
  • Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
  • Must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals.

The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your résumé.

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized experience for the GS-13 is defined as one year of experience at the GS-12 level, or equivalent that is directly related to the position and which has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position includes:

  • Acting as a spokesperson; AND
  • Developing communications plans, talking points, speeches, press releases, and/or advisories; AND
  • Providing materials for websites and/or social media sites.

In addition to the above requirements, you must meet the following time-in-grade requirement, if applicable:
For the GS-13, you must have been at the GS-12 level for 52 weeks.

Time After Competitive Appointment: Candidates who are current Federal employees serving on a nontemporary competitive appointment must have served at least three months in that appointment.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

- We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Applicants who apply for this position may be considered for other positions within the Office of Inspector General that require the same knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- This is a non-bargaining unit position.
- A recruitment incentive may be offered.
- We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.
- Full-time telework may be temporarily required if space is not currently available at the location chosen by the selectee.  Selectees will be notified prior to their start date if this is necessary.  Telework on a more permanent basis will be determined by management upon completion of all telework requirements and availability needs.


CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- A one year probationary period may be required.
- Public Trust – Background Investigation will be required.
- Must successfully complete a background investigation.
- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
- Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
- Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9.  Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
- Obtain and use a Government-issued purchase card for business-related travel.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application includes your résumé, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your résumé includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your résumé may result in a “not qualified” determination.

Rating: Your application will be evaluated in the following areas: Technical, Communication, Business Acumen. Your application will be rated and ranked among others, based on your responses to the online questions, regarding your experience, education, training, performance appraisals and awards relevant to the duties of this position.  Your rating may be lowered if your responses to the online questions are not supported by the education and/or experience described in your application.

Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration.  You may be required to participate in a selection interview and/or a writing assessment. Applicants who are selected for an interview may ask questions about the evaluation process at the time they are contacted for an interview.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)) you must receive a score of 92 or better to be rated as “well qualified" to receive special selection priority.


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