Communications Specialist

Full Job Description

This position serves as the My HealtheVet (MHV) Change Agent Coordinator at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

This position functions as facility champion, leads facility teams to support existing and future Veteran communication initiatives, and coordinates local implementation, training, communications, outreach, web health content and support efforts.

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 level, you must meet the following criteria: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as experience performing web-based marketing activities, such editing and maintaining web pages, creating hyperlinks, and utilizing social media and networking technologies to communicate information to target audiences; experience using automated data processing applications such as desktop publishing and graphic design software to develop, design, and maintain digital and print communication products; and experience applying audio-visual techniques to support the development and delivery of multimedia communications, such as radio, television, slide presentations, speeches, or other outreach materials.

NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week -OR- EDUCATION: A Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree from an accredited college or university.

Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

-OR- COMBINATION: An equivalent combination of specialized experience as described above and successfully completed education beyond the master's level.

Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

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/.

Major Duties:

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** My HealtheVet (MHV) is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-sponsored website for Veterans, their families, advocates, and VA employees.

MHV is a web-based application designed for Veterans and their families with the goal of optimizing Veterans' healthcare.

Through MHV, Veterans can build their own Personal Health Record by self-entering personal and health-related information, as well as their health readings.

MHV online prescription refill is available to all Veterans receiving medications at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers/Healthcare System (VAMC/HCS), and MHV provides one central location for obtaining information about VA benefits, programs, and services.

Secure Messaging (SM) through MHV is a secure Web-based message service that allows the healthcare team to communicate non-urgent health related information with patients and will fundamentally change the way Veterans manage their health care as well as improve the patient-provider relationship.

MHV Change Agent Coordinator plans, organizes drives, directs, evaluates, and reports local MHV-related actions/activities.

MAJOR DUTIES: Leads the facility's efforts to integrate MHV and SM among healthcare providers and patients.

Establishes and manages communications plans that identify target audiences, appropriate messages, activities, and resources needed for effective communication, and effective communications plan for change management, incorporate multiple channels to manage expectations and disseminate project progress.

Oversees MHV's online presence and web content and leads innovations to keep facilities MHV on the cutting-edge.

Ensures accountability via written communication as it relates to MHV as each of these communication skills contributes importantly to the way VHA communicates with Veterans, Congress, our dedicated volunteers, the public and employees.

Establishes and manages the training plans and design and perform needs assessments within the project relative to functional and training needs and project effectiveness.

Formulates a marketing strategy from research, reports, products and organizational data.

Designs, conducts and evaluates innovative means to advertise and market products of the MHV and Social Media Program.

This includes creative writing and direct communication with all levels of personnel internal and external to the VA.

Analyzes participation trends, customer markets, needs of the consumer and advises the leadership team on concerns and trends. Recommends specific approaches for managing special issues and findings.

Develops multimedia campaign materials (e.g., printed articles, brochures, videos) to enlighten target population.

Researches and writes articles, news releases and briefs for inclusion in publications and for release to other media. Uses the world wide web to maximize outreach efforts.

Applies advertising and marketing techniques to material produced to include color dynamics, reading grade level, graphics and design, journalistic writing, etc.

Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved