Lead Public Affairs Specialist
US Department of Veterans Affairs, Phoenix, AZ, United States
Lead Public Affairs Specialist
This Lead Public Affairs Specialist is assigned to the Office of Public Affairs reporting to the Chief, Public Affairs. The incumbent serves as Team Leader over at least four Public Affairs Specialists in carrying out a variety of public affairs assignments. Duties include, but are not limited to: Establishes and maintains proactive contacts with media outlets, legislative offices, veteran service organizations, and health care affiliates. Assists with public affairs coverage for activities and events throughout the Phoenix VA Health Care System to include serving as back-up to the Chief, Public Affairs for PVAHCS; assisting with media events; providing onsite public affairs coverage, writing news releases and feature stories about health care, research, and human interest activities; responding to media inquiries and requests for coverage, providing media training for leadership and staff and coordinating VIP visits. Coordinates, manages, and plans, events and visits throughout PVAHCS, to include preparing agendas/invitations, generating all support materials, coordinating scheduling of staff, and assisting on planning committees. Develops internal communication announcements and letters for the PVAHCS Director about special events/visits, urgent issues, changes in programs, new additions, etc. Prepares flyers and special messages for distribution to all PVAHCS employees about special events, important issues/happenings, changes in programs/services, new staff members, crisis communication management, instructions for completing surveys, etc. Writes speeches for the PVAHCS Director and PVAHCS management for special events, ribbon cutting ceremonies and visits. Responds to media inquiries within a timely manner and coordinates closely with PVAHCS staff to research and obtain pertinent information to accurately respond to the inquiry through fact and transparency. Evaluates the impact and effectiveness of communication plans and advises management if efforts should be discontinued, emphasis changes or coverage expanded in improving intercommunication between organization and various audiences through media utilization. Handles communication efforts when controversial, high-level issues impact the VA Medical Center, often during crisis and emergency situations. Maintains and manages an internal public affairs program designed to enhance employee knowledge of and pride in the health care system. Incumbent participates in New Employee Orientation highlighting the health care system, educating new employees on how to engage with media, congressional stakeholders, and social media. Manages content for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, GovDelivery, Drupal, and other social media platforms. Requirements: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
This Lead Public Affairs Specialist is assigned to the Office of Public Affairs reporting to the Chief, Public Affairs. The incumbent serves as Team Leader over at least four Public Affairs Specialists in carrying out a variety of public affairs assignments. Duties include, but are not limited to: Establishes and maintains proactive contacts with media outlets, legislative offices, veteran service organizations, and health care affiliates. Assists with public affairs coverage for activities and events throughout the Phoenix VA Health Care System to include serving as back-up to the Chief, Public Affairs for PVAHCS; assisting with media events; providing onsite public affairs coverage, writing news releases and feature stories about health care, research, and human interest activities; responding to media inquiries and requests for coverage, providing media training for leadership and staff and coordinating VIP visits. Coordinates, manages, and plans, events and visits throughout PVAHCS, to include preparing agendas/invitations, generating all support materials, coordinating scheduling of staff, and assisting on planning committees. Develops internal communication announcements and letters for the PVAHCS Director about special events/visits, urgent issues, changes in programs, new additions, etc. Prepares flyers and special messages for distribution to all PVAHCS employees about special events, important issues/happenings, changes in programs/services, new staff members, crisis communication management, instructions for completing surveys, etc. Writes speeches for the PVAHCS Director and PVAHCS management for special events, ribbon cutting ceremonies and visits. Responds to media inquiries within a timely manner and coordinates closely with PVAHCS staff to research and obtain pertinent information to accurately respond to the inquiry through fact and transparency. Evaluates the impact and effectiveness of communication plans and advises management if efforts should be discontinued, emphasis changes or coverage expanded in improving intercommunication between organization and various audiences through media utilization. Handles communication efforts when controversial, high-level issues impact the VA Medical Center, often during crisis and emergency situations. Maintains and manages an internal public affairs program designed to enhance employee knowledge of and pride in the health care system. Incumbent participates in New Employee Orientation highlighting the health care system, educating new employees on how to engage with media, congressional stakeholders, and social media. Manages content for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, GovDelivery, Drupal, and other social media platforms. Requirements: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.