Public Affairs Specialist

Full Job Description

The Public Affairs supervisory position exercises full delegated authority and responsibility for developing, managing, and administering a comprehensive Public Affairs Program.

The Public Affairs Specialist serves as spokesperson for the Medical Center, and as such is the point of contact for local and national media; is the liaison for Veterans' service organizations, congressional staffs, community groups, professional organizations, etc.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet time-in-grade and specialized experience requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 03/13/2026.

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 within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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 and/or education as described below: 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 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.

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: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M.

if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application.

Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have a combination of specialized experience and education in excess of a master's or equivalent graduate education may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-11 level.

If related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

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 s 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:

Major duties include, but it not limited to: Serves as spokesperson for the Medical Center, and as such is the point of contact for local and national media; is the liaison for veterans' service organizations, congressional staffs, community groups, professional organizations, etc.

Conducts the public affairs program with responsibility for developing and providing staff direction involving all public information, internal communications, VSO liaison, and community relations activities.

Conducts special studies involving communications, organization, and operation of Medical Center functions.

Develops reports along with recommendations to the Medical Center Director including implementation and monitoring strategies.

Analyzes internal communication needs and develops publications or other information materials for staff, patients, volunteers, and others who contribute to the Medical Center effectiveness and responsiveness.

Develops, coordinates, implements and maintains public information and community relations programs that are designed to promote understanding, confidence, and goodwill between the Medical Center, surrounding communities, individuals, volunteers, and groups who are interested in and affected by the VA.

Advises and makes recommendations to the Medical Center Director regarding the handling of media and community issue or concerns that have possible implications on the facility.

Evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of the public information programs for internal communications, media relations and community relations with the ultimate goal of achieving greater understanding of their facility's mission and programs.

Plans, initiates, and implements comprehensive public affairs activities to enhance the understanding of the Medical Center's programs among the general public and specialized groups and organizations.

Coordinates the production and dissemination of information, material, and, where necessary, works with contractors who design, write, or produce materials.

Establishes and maintains professional working relationships with representatives of the news media, responding in a timely fashion to information requests from the media in writing and orally to ensure the fair representation of the Medical Center.

May respond, or prepare response for the Director, to detailed explanations for negative comments about the Medical Center activities or performance particularly in urgent, sensitive situations Provides expertise in planning and implementation of special events, ceremonies, open houses, tours, and other activities conducted for the purpose of generating awareness of, and interest in, the mission of the Medical Center and for public awareness.

The incumbent will directly supervise one Public Affairs Assistant GS-1001-07.

Within this capacity, s/he is responsible for approving leave, completing performance evaluations, and any disciplinary actions.

The incumbent is responsible for any hiring actions needed for the program, including interviewing, and onboarding new staff.

The Public Affairs Specialist recommendations to top management involve highly significant policy matters that may lead to the development of an Agency position, establish precedents or provide guidance for field activities on public affairs issues.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm (PST) Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD904360 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.