Lead Public Affairs Specialist

Full Job Description

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.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/02/2026.

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-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 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.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Experience where you were responsible for applying advanced communication and analytical practices, methods and techniques to the solution of complex public affairs problems; planning, developing, and producing a variety of materials and publications (including print, visual, Web-based, multimedia, and video materials) to achieve understanding of various points of view or concepts; advising leadership on the development of communication plans and strategies; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with local media representatives and community groups; and coordinating and implementing special events, ceremonies, outreach campaigns, tours, and other activities to generate public awareness of organization's mission.

Preferred Experience: Two to four (2-4) consecutive years of supervising a team in public affairs or public relations, including assigning work, reviewing communication products, mentoring staff, and supporting performance management functions.

Excellent writing, communication, and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to produce clear, accurate, and compelling content for internal and external audiences.

Experience leading communication teams in a high-visibility, fast-paced environment. Demonstrated success coordinating complex communication initiatives, crisis responses, or high-profile events.

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: Work is generally sedentary with walking required during visits and tours of the Medical Center.

Flexibility is required to accommodate events and activities occurring in other than normal duty hours.

Mobility is required in terms of staging and assisting staff with equipment and other required materials.

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:

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. Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30p, Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Lead Public Affairs Specialist/PD145920 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized