Public Affairs Specialist

Full Job Description

The incumbent serves as a 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 organization, etc.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/17/2026.

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 and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at the least 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 particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Public Affairs Specialist that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

Specialized experience is experience applying advanced communication and analytical practices, methods and techniques to strategically plan and effectively implement public affairs programs, web and social media-based messaging, as well as broad marketing and outreach material and events which provide solutions to public affairs issues; planning, developing, and/or producing a variety of health care materials and publications (including print, visual, Web-based, multimedia, and video materials) to promote internal and external understanding of health care programs, policies and information where various points of view or ideas are likely; communicating with groups and/or individuals with varying levels of understanding and different interests and perspectives; and establishing and maintaining effective working relationship internal and external publics to include health care professionals, staff, volunteers, local media representatives, elected and government official and community groups.

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:

The Public Affairs Specialist conducts the public affairs program for the Medical Center with responsibility for developing and providing staff direction involving all public information, internal communications, VSO liaison, and community relations activities.

Often represents the Medical Center Director, participating at public, civic or social events to improve perception of the Medical Center as a valued part of the medical profession, government and community.

Duties include: Conducting special studies involving communications, organization and operation of the Medical Center. Developing reports along with recommendations to the Medical Center Director.

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

Works with staff and service Chiefs in identifying information needs and assisting them with the development and dissemination of appropriate materials.

Undertakes other assignments, such as coordination of special projects. Development, coordination, implementation and maintenance of public information and community relations programs.

Analyzes Medical Center information needs, goals and resources and tailors specific communication strategies using all media to reach target audiences both internal and external.

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

Serves as the Medical Center point of contact for the media and public information inquiries and as the liaison with other medical centers, central office, the VHA, VISN and veteran organizations in the areas of public information and community leadership.

Interacts with top officials of public and private sector. Plans, initiates and implements comprehensive public affairs activities.

Coordinates photo coverage of programs and activities with medical media production services.

Acts as liaison between staff member holding joint appointments with the affiliated medical college to assure proper attribution of media stories involving both facilities.

Coordinates the production and dissemination of information. Establishes and maintains professional working relationships with representatives of the news media. Other Duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD220190 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.