Public Affairs Specialist

Full Job Description

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) public information program involves the presentation of the medical center mission, services and activities to staff, volunteers, members of the media, general public, veterans, local, state and federal officials, veterans organizations and community groups in ways that most effectively achieve VHA's goals while at the same time contributing to the understanding and support of the medical center's mission of caring for veterans.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/13/2026.

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 by the closing date of this announcement.

For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. 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-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Utilizing various office automation software programs to prepare news releases; Informing the public about current programs through multiple media outlets; Communicating information with knowledge of current agency regulations and policies; Printing material to be widely distributed.

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

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or a LL.B.

or J.D., if related. TRANSCRIPT(S) MUST BE SUBMITTED IF EDUCATION IS BEING USED TO QUALIFY . OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate level. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED).

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Accountability Communications Communications and Media Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Project Management 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:

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Serves as the spokesperson, facilitator and coordinator to the media, congressional staffs and veterans service organizations, the community, VA and other governmental officials Develops campaigns and communication strategies that convey information to various publics and the staff about the Medical Center Disseminates a wide range of information and data concerning the nature and objectives of Agency programs, employing all types of media, including radio, television, newspapers, magazines, professional and scientific journals, pictures, posters, and exhibits Coordinates news media interviews with staff, and oversees arrangements with media representatives involving organization activities; provides supporting materials as required Ensures proper attribution of news stories between staff members holding joint appointments with the medical college Establishes and maintains working relationships with local mass and specialized media representatives and with the special interest representatives concerned with veterans affairs within the geographic area Generates solid relationships by keeping media informed; being responsive to their requests; obtaining resources for media on various issues and programs Establishes and maintains a speaker's bureau, distributing the list to media and interested organizations, coordinating speech requests and providing training and materials to speakers Maintains liaison with public affairs staffs of related health and educational organizations, service, civic and fraternal organizations on behalf of the Medical Center to maintain goodwill and information and facilitate joint projects or information gathering Develops beats to gather information for possible dissemination, such as news stories involving station activities or personnel (i.e., research initiatives) and is always alert for opportunities to explore potential for participation in exhibits, conventions and professional meetings Maintains effective relationships with service chiefs and their staffs to refer and evaluate inquires made by the media as well as identifying newsworthy or feature events Establishes effective relationships with local media and veterans organizations, community groups and management officials Meets with a variety of these groups to disseminate information, enhance relationships, and communicate Medical Center and VHA policies and information about specialized programs and initiatives Acts as liaison with the VHACO and VACO Public Affairs Program Offices, and the VISN Public Affairs Manager in matters of public affairs Calls news conferences and briefings after appropriate discussion and counsel; determines the best strategy to use when responding to negative media inquiries; and continuously evaluates campaign strategies and positions and monitors their effectiveness Advises the Medical Center director, VISN Director's staff and VHACO/VACO Public Affairs Program Offices for national issues and national media -- of changes in public affairs strategies and keeps them informed of potential complications, problems and resolutions Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m.

- 4:00 p.m. Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD50181O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized