An official website of the United States government
This position will serve as the Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist in the Office of Public Affairs at the San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS). While primary duties are carried out at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, the incumbent may be required to work at any of the Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) to support public relations or special events activities. Some events may require evening, holiday or weekend work.
Learn more about this agency11/28/2022 to 12/12/2022
$115,928 - $150,703 per year
GS 13
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
No
Permanent -
Full-time -
Competitive
None
Yes
No
CBSW-11743229-23-JRK
691462300
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Current excepted service federal employees.
Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.
Provides leadership and direction for the Public Affairs program at the Health Care System and functions with minimal supervisory oversight. Incumbent will be responsible for developing a comprehensive public affairs program that aligns itself with the goals and initiatives of the San Francisco VA Health Care System, VISN 21 and VA Central Office. The goal of the position is to increase internal and external awareness of VA programs, services, special events and projects, technologies, personnel, and research accomplishments. Establishes and maintains proactive contacts with media outlets, legislative offices, veteran service organizations, and health care affiliates. Actively pitches and places stories with media outlets.
The public affairs program will report directly to the facility Director and will include staff and support function of the Medical Media Service. Advises the Director and all management staff on all issues relating to community awareness and public information, as well as sensitive media issues.
Responds to all media queries in a timely and appropriate manner. Serves as facility spokesman, where necessary, or sets up subject matter experts to serve as spokespeople as often as possible. Ensures all HIPAA and privacy act requirements are met during interviews and filming and that appropriate management is notified prior to media events. Interviews program specialists to obtain the most current and accurate information for use with media and in setting up interviews and pitching stories. Maintains files with background materials and other pertinent information.
Provides technical and administrative supervision to:
Three Public Affairs Specialists (GS-1335-12); one Visual Information Specialist (GS-1084-12), one Audiovisual Specialist (GS-1071-11) and one Medical Photographer (GS-1060-11). Oversees the daily operation of the unit, ensures that agency policies and priorities are being followed; develops performance standards, and evaluates work performance of subordinates. Provides advice, counsel, and instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. 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.
Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, but may be required to occasionally work evenings, holidays or weekends to cover events
Telework: 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.
Virtual: This is not a virtual/remote position.
Position Description/PD#: Director of Public Affairs/PD01534O
Relocation/Recruitment Incentive: May be authorized for highly qualified applicant
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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/.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a VA job announcement includes language requiring applicants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that requirement does not currently apply to this Job Announcement. VA may request information regarding your vaccination status, if selected, for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
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.
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.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.
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.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/12/2022 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11743229.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. 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. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. 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 USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/691462300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?
Established in 1934, the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System (SFVAHCS) has a long history of conducting cutting edge research, establishing innovative medical programs, and providing compassionate care to Veterans. SFVAHCS has 104 operating beds and a 120-bed Community Living Center. Primary and mental health care is provided at outpatient clinics in: Clearlake, Santa Rosa, Eureka, Ukiah, and San Bruno. There is a specialized homeless Veteran's clinic in downtown San Francisco.
San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center embraces the diversity that makes up our Veteran and Employee population. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce, the SFVA will honor your experiences, viewpoints and unique individuality. The SFVA strives to create and sustain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. Inclusion is how we unleash the power of diversity. We strive to foster belonging and empowerment at work. As a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Champion, inclusion is about the actions we take each day.
More History can be found here: http://www.sanfrancisco.va.gov/about/history.asp
