Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States
Summary
The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center is seeking a Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist located within the Office of the Medical Center Director. The incumbent serves as the Public Affairs Specialist and Chief – Stakeholder Relations Service at the Medical Center. The incumbent plans, directs, and programmatically manages the medical center's Stakeholder Relations Service – which is inclusive of the public affairs, veterans experience, voluntary services, and patient advocacy programs.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 05/05/2026. 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‑13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑12. 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‑12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include – but are not limited to: possess a mastery of communication principles – methods – practices and techniques; analytical methods; and interpersonal relations practices. Skill in applying such mastery in developing and applying new approaches to the most difficult and complex public affairs problems of the medical center by developing or evaluating information programs enhancing understanding among publics opposed or indifferent to medical center programs. Designing and implementing marketing campaigns and/or strategic communication plans for the medical center and the ability to conceive and create presentations, videos, and other audiovisual products. Possesses ability to make oral presentations to lead and instruct interdisciplinary groups and to facilitate and motivate in order to achieved desired outcomes. Knowledge and skill to analyze public reaction to medical center programs and policies in developing recommendations that significantly change the facility's major programs or policies; and integrating diverse points of view in a strategic communication plan. In establishing and maintaining mutual understanding with various agency publics. Knowledge and skill sufficient for presenting ideas in written materials in new ways that will increase understanding among publics with varying levels of comprehension of agency programs-and policies – or opposition or indifference to the agency's program objectives.
Incumbent will act as the resource within the medical center to consult with management and staff on the appropriate and effective application of public affairs initiatives and the evaluation of the impact of public issues. You will be rated on the following Competencies: Communications and Media, Customer Service, Interpersonal Skills, Manages and Organizes Information, Manages Human Resources, Oral Communication, 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: The work is primarily sedentary with some walking – bending – standing and carrying of light objects. Objects are not expected to exceed 50 pounds. Incumbent must be readily able to speak in front of small and large crowds. 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/.
Duties
Duties include - but may not be limited to the following: Programmatic responsibility for management and implementation of the medical center's public affairs program
Performs work related to public affairs activities such as coordinating media interviews - developing communication plans - coordinating agency information programs - etc
Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist is responsible for interpreting national VA - VHA and VISN directives or guidance on public affairs issues and in turn developing the Medical Center's Public Affairs related policies and program to be in compliance
Incumbent organizes and coordinates print and broadcast media interviews with key officials and oversees all arrangements with the media involving agency activities
Incumbent identifies and summarizes national and regional news items having a direct impact on V AMC programs and activities
Incumbent provides national news clips to the Director and other key staff in a timely manner
Incumbent reviews national agency program and policies and monitor regional new stories that are publicized daily
He/she develops and writes information material designed to reach selected national audiences through the news media He/she develops a wide variety of internal communication documents and messages including newsletters - medical center magazine - email - Facebook - Target Vision messaging system - and external signage - etc Interviews and confers with the Medical Center Director and other program specialists to obtain latest information for use in news releases - radio programs - articles - and briefings with media representatives
Incumbent manages all aspect of the public affairs program - including internal communications - media relations - community relations - external stakeholder involvement - and medical center website content - including facility main internet site and social media sites such as Facebook
Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist is responsible for providing guidance - direction - and supervision to the staff in the Stakeholder Relations Service
Incumbent directly supports executive leadership in the day-to-day management of the healthcare organization through specific activities aimed to communicate with stakeholders - seek feedback - and improve operations
Incumbent serves as the expert on stakeholder relations and Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs (OPIA) policies
Performs other related duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Available
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
Position Description/PD#: 679-10269-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center is seeking a Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist located within the Office of the Medical Center Director. The incumbent serves as the Public Affairs Specialist and Chief – Stakeholder Relations Service at the Medical Center. The incumbent plans, directs, and programmatically manages the medical center's Stakeholder Relations Service – which is inclusive of the public affairs, veterans experience, voluntary services, and patient advocacy programs.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 05/05/2026. 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‑13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑12. 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‑12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include – but are not limited to: possess a mastery of communication principles – methods – practices and techniques; analytical methods; and interpersonal relations practices. Skill in applying such mastery in developing and applying new approaches to the most difficult and complex public affairs problems of the medical center by developing or evaluating information programs enhancing understanding among publics opposed or indifferent to medical center programs. Designing and implementing marketing campaigns and/or strategic communication plans for the medical center and the ability to conceive and create presentations, videos, and other audiovisual products. Possesses ability to make oral presentations to lead and instruct interdisciplinary groups and to facilitate and motivate in order to achieved desired outcomes. Knowledge and skill to analyze public reaction to medical center programs and policies in developing recommendations that significantly change the facility's major programs or policies; and integrating diverse points of view in a strategic communication plan. In establishing and maintaining mutual understanding with various agency publics. Knowledge and skill sufficient for presenting ideas in written materials in new ways that will increase understanding among publics with varying levels of comprehension of agency programs-and policies – or opposition or indifference to the agency's program objectives.
Incumbent will act as the resource within the medical center to consult with management and staff on the appropriate and effective application of public affairs initiatives and the evaluation of the impact of public issues. You will be rated on the following Competencies: Communications and Media, Customer Service, Interpersonal Skills, Manages and Organizes Information, Manages Human Resources, Oral Communication, 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: The work is primarily sedentary with some walking – bending – standing and carrying of light objects. Objects are not expected to exceed 50 pounds. Incumbent must be readily able to speak in front of small and large crowds. 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/.
Duties
Duties include - but may not be limited to the following: Programmatic responsibility for management and implementation of the medical center's public affairs program
Performs work related to public affairs activities such as coordinating media interviews - developing communication plans - coordinating agency information programs - etc
Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist is responsible for interpreting national VA - VHA and VISN directives or guidance on public affairs issues and in turn developing the Medical Center's Public Affairs related policies and program to be in compliance
Incumbent organizes and coordinates print and broadcast media interviews with key officials and oversees all arrangements with the media involving agency activities
Incumbent identifies and summarizes national and regional news items having a direct impact on V AMC programs and activities
Incumbent provides national news clips to the Director and other key staff in a timely manner
Incumbent reviews national agency program and policies and monitor regional new stories that are publicized daily
He/she develops and writes information material designed to reach selected national audiences through the news media He/she develops a wide variety of internal communication documents and messages including newsletters - medical center magazine - email - Facebook - Target Vision messaging system - and external signage - etc Interviews and confers with the Medical Center Director and other program specialists to obtain latest information for use in news releases - radio programs - articles - and briefings with media representatives
Incumbent manages all aspect of the public affairs program - including internal communications - media relations - community relations - external stakeholder involvement - and medical center website content - including facility main internet site and social media sites such as Facebook
Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist is responsible for providing guidance - direction - and supervision to the staff in the Stakeholder Relations Service
Incumbent directly supports executive leadership in the day-to-day management of the healthcare organization through specific activities aimed to communicate with stakeholders - seek feedback - and improve operations
Incumbent serves as the expert on stakeholder relations and Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs (OPIA) policies
Performs other related duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Available
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
Position Description/PD#: 679-10269-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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