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Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary


The VHA public information program involves the presentation of the VA mission, services and activities to the staff, volunteers, members of the media, general public, veterans, local, state and federal officials and community groups in ways that most effectively achieve the VHA's goals while contributing to understanding and support of the facility caring for veterans.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
09/29/2021 to 10/17/2021
This job will close when we have received 35 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$77,488 to - $100,739 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Erie, PA
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBSZ-11247563-21-JY
Control number
615791100

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Duties

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Duties of the position are:

  • The incumbent supervises the Public Affairs Specialist and Visual Information Specialist who collectively perform writing, graphic design, outreach coordination, visual communication, web design, webmaster, SharePoint Administrator, publications along with coordination of
    photography and videography.
  • The incumbent often represents the facility Director, participating at public, civic or social events to improve perception of the facility as a valued part of the medical profession, government, and community.
  • Conducts special studies involving communications, organization, and operation of facility functions. Duties include developing reports along with recommendations to the Director including implementation and monitoring strategies. Studies often consist of controversial and critical observations, interpretations, and findings that are independently presented with the resultant recommendations.
  • Analyzes internal communication needs and develops publications or other information materials for staff, patients, volunteers, and others who contribute to the facility effectiveness and responsiveness. The incumbent works with staff and program managers in identifying their information needs and assisting them with the development and dissemination of appropriate materials.
  • Undertakes other assignments, such as coordination of special projects, at the direction of the Director. Special assignments could include coordination, participation and/or chairing special committees as assigned to meet stated objectives within a specific time frame.
  • Advises and makes recommendations to the Director regarding the handling of media and community issue or concerns that have possible implications. Serves as the point of contact for the media and public information inquiries and as the liaison with other facilities, central office, the VHA VISN, and veteran organizations in the areas of public information and community relations.
  • Plans, initiates, and implements comprehensive public affairs activities to enhance the understanding of the facility's programs among the public and specialized groups and organizations. Undertakes other assignments, such as speech writing or coordination of special events/projects at the direction of the Director.
  • Establishes and maintains professional working relationships with representatives of the news media, responding in a timely fashion to information requests from the media in writing and orally to ensure the fair representation of VA/facility.
  • Localizes material prepared for general release to the media; works with the VISN, VHACO and VACO
    Public Affairs Program Offices in the development of unified action on news stories that may have significant impact; markets information items to appropriate local and regional print and electronic media, and utilizes general and specialized news media to disseminate consumer information to various publics.
  • Provides expertise in planning and implementation of special events, ceremonies, open houses, tours, and other activities conducted for the purpose of generating awareness of, and interest in the mission of VA and for public awareness.
  • Prepares briefing packaged and slide presentations for VA guests from regional and central offices as well as congressional staff, veterans' organizations and all other community representatives and groups. Prepares and updates brochures on the facility, its personnel, and activities. Incumbent initiates public affairs correspondence, prepares information packages, conducts tours and other related tasks for special visitors and dignitaries, organizes select ceremonies, and writes speeches for the Director.
  • Assists others in preparing, appropriate certificates/awards or letters of appreciation for staff, community individuals and groups who are supportive of mission and programs. Identifies opportunities to participate in community activities that enhance the public image of the VA, and specifically Erie VAMC.
  • The incumbent hears and resolves minor complaints from employees; refers group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher-level supervisor or manager; effects minor disciplinary measures such as warnings and reprimands and recommends action in more serious cases.
  • The incumbent interviews candidates for positions in the unit; recommends appointments, promotions, and reassignments to unit positions; identifies and provides for training needs; and finds ways to improve production or increase the quality of work within the area of authority.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8am-4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist/PD017830
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/20/2021.

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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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.

  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: spokesperson for the facility, and is the point of contact for local and national media and is the liaison for Erie VAMC stakeholders. Conducts the public affairs program for the facility with responsibility for developing and providing staff direction involving all public information, internal communications, VSO's, and community relations activities. Conducts special studies involving communications, organization, and operation of facility functions. Duties include developing reports along with recommendations to the Director including implementation and monitoring strategies. Analyzes internal communication needs and develops publications or other information materials for staff, patients, volunteers, and others who contribute to the facility effectiveness and responsiveness. Advises and makes recommendations to the Director regarding the handling of media and community issue or concerns that have possible implications and serves as the point of contact for the media and public information inquiries and as the liaison with other facilities, central office, the VHA VISN, and veteran organizations in the areas of public information and community relations. Provides technical and administrative supervision to a work unit of 2.0 FTEE: 1.0 GS-1035-11 Public Affairs Specialist and 1.0 GS-1084-09 Visual Information Specialist
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  • Communications and Media
  • Customer Service
  • Oral Communication
  • Performance Management
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Writing


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: Assignments regularly involve extended periods of walking, standing, bending, and stooping to execute
logistics for special events or to accompany media crews or other special groups. Incumbent is also required to regularly pick up loads of 15 pounds such as boxes of newspapers and other literature and to push carts of supplies. 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.

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

There is no education substitution at this grade level.

Additional information


Receiving Service Credit or 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.

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 for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

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.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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.

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