Public Affairs Specialist

Summary
Position serves as the Public Affairs Specialist (Officer) in the Public Affairs Section for the Associate Director - Resources, organizationally identified as the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing Service of the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System. The position is located at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System that serves over 60,000 Veterans residing in a seven-county area.

Qualifications
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-11" position you must have served 52 weeks at the "GS-09". 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 the one‑year time‑in‑grade required by the announcement. In that case you must provide an additional SF‑50 that clearly demonstrates one‑year time‑in‑grade. Minimum Qualification Requirement: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade "GS-09" in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience include— but are not limited to— evaluating and advising management officials on courses of action to follow in publishing public announcements; analyzing, evaluating, and responding to public comments, proposals or suggestions in the local community; initiating and preparing responses to inquiries from interested groups and the general public concerning policies and activities of the medical facility public affairs program; preparing scripts, audio‑visual materials, and brochures for ceremonies, briefings, events and orientations; developing public affairs and communication action plans; identifying, writing, and editing promotional content related to the agency mission; arranging for special group tours and managing special events; and using Adobe Creative Cloud and other graphics and electronic publication tools.
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.
Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an appropriate combination of specialized experience and education.
Additional Information: Preferred experience includes excellent written and verbal communication skills. Applicants will be rated on the following competencies: attention to detail, customer service, flexibility, influencing
egotiating, integrity/honesty, interpersonal skills, learning, reading comprehension, reasoning, self‑management, stress tolerance, teamwork. Experience may include paid, unpaid, or volunteer work through National Service programs or other organizations. Volunteer work can provide valuable credit.
Physical Requirements: The role involves extended periods of walking, standing, bending, stooping, lifting up to 15 pounds, and pushing carts of supplies.

Duties

Serve as the Public Affairs Specialist (Officer) at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System, developing, promoting, and implementing leadership and direction for the Public Affairs program while displaying tact, common sense, diplomacy, initiative, and professional judgment.

Provide primary representation of the healthcare system Director and Executive Leadership team in interactions with members of the media, public, veterans, community groups, and local, state, and federal officials.

Act as the healthcare system spokesperson representing the Director at public, civic, and social events; participate in activities that improve the perception of the VA.

Handle communication efforts during controversial or high‑level issues that impact the VA healthcare system, especially during crisis and emergency situations.

Serve as the Public Information Officer under the Hospital Incident Command System.

Plan, develop, and produce a variety of materials and publications, including print, visual, web‑based, multimedia, and video materials to convey information about the VA to stakeholders.

Develop communication campaigns and program guidelines, defining the scope and parameters for implementing campaigns and providing suggested activities, materials, deadlines, and reporting requirements.

Plan, implement, and evaluate information programs for specifically assigned target groups.

Plan and execute special events, coordinate high‑profile visits, and support outreach to veterans not enrolled in the VA health care system.

Develop budgets, write statements of work, direct, coordinate, and supervise activities of supporting staff and contractors.

Serve as internal communications coordinator, ensuring the integration of all information venues.

Develop appropriate communication channels, techniques, and strategies for disseminating information to hard‑to‑reach audiences.

Serve as content manager of the VA Medical Center's Internet and Intranet, and publications editor.

Develop specific information materials, programs, training modules, and program policies per direction and with support of the VHA and OPA.

Serve as mentor to less experienced and junior PAOs.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Promotion potential: the selectee may be promoted to full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.

Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to full performance level.

Work schedule: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (some nights and weekends). Telework: this position may be authorized for telework.

Virtual: this is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/548-03037-A.

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