Public Affairs Specialist

Full Job Description

The primary purpose of the Public Affairs Specialist is developing, managing, and executing the West Texas VA Health Care System (WTVAHCS) outreach program by conducting and supporting work related to public affairs communication activities such as writing stories, taking photos and videos, generating media interest, responding to media queries, creating, and posting content on social media and web-based platforms.

The incumbent will report directly to the Executive Assistant to the Director. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/21/2026.

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-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. 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-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: knowledge of written and oral communication principles and techniques, analytical methods, and interpersonal relations practices; ability to draw conclusions and offer meaningful recommendations in improving aspects of information materials, dealing with others in achieving mutually beneficial objectives, conveying detailed oral and written program information in a variety of formats, and gathering and reporting public reaction to information programs; plan, draft and edit news, feature, and quasi-technical articles for a medical facility newsletter; explain the medical facility programs and policies to the public and obtain reaction to the information provided; establish and maintain effective working relationships with groups interested in or affected by agency programs or policies; and analyze department information program materials and offer recommendations for improving the delivery of program information to affected individuals and groups.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have: one full year of graduate level education (18 semester hours) [such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work] or superior academic achievement (Transcript Required).

S.A.A.

is based on: class standing: applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses., grade-point average: a-3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or b-3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum, or honor society membership as outlined by the Association of College Honor Societies.

OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a bachelor's degree.

(Transcript Required).

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 at the GS-7 entry level include, but are not limited to: Outreach Program Coordinator: Assists in planning the development and implementation of WTVAHCS outreach programs and activities across the WTVAHCS catchment area that helps ensure Veterans of all eras and demographics are aware of VA services they may be eligible for and enable them to receive those services.

Collaborates closely with a variety of clinical and non-clinical service lines and program staff to maximize the impact, efficiency and effectiveness of their outreach activities, requests or requirements while capitalizing on synergistic opportunities.

Works closely with and fosters meaningful working relationships with other government, non-government, non-profit and for-profit organizations to advance the mission of WTVAHCS and to meet the objectives of this position.

This includes, but is not limited to identifying, creating, promoting, and supporting community events, speaking opportunities, and Veteran experience/engagement as well as coordinating for staff support and participation.

Public Affairs Specialist: Performs work related to public affairs communication activities such as responding to media inquiries, generating media interest, and coordinating agency information.

Researches, prepares, and takes/provides photographs, video or audio tapes, medical center operation data, publications, information papers, and other materials as requested by media outlets or VA staff.

Organizes and coordinates print and broadcast media interviews and news conferences with subject matter experts.

Uses a variety of communication techniques and methods including social media, web, print, broadcast, and other electronic media to convey the VA mission and its role in the community to various stakeholders.

Writes news releases, feature stories, extended captions, speeches, social media, and web posts/stories, prepares information packets, media kits, fact sheets, and produces various graphic materials such as newsletters, flyers, and brochures.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the 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 the full performance level. This position has promotion potential to the GS-9 and then GS-11.

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

Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD00653A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized