Public Affairs Specialist

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/09/2026. 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-13 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. 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 (VEVOA) 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-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: Designing, planning, executing, and evaluating a public affairs program; implementing a comprehensive public affairs goal-oriented program involving public information, internal communication, and community relations; conducting communication audits of medical centers, provides advice and support in media relations; developing written materials and make oral presentations that will increase the understanding among the public with varying levels of comprehension.

Duties

Duties include but are limited to:

• Design, plan and execute the public affairs program for the facility to ensure the program is goal-oriented involving public information, internal communication and community relations
• Develop written communications and make oral presentations that will increase the understanding among the public of varying levels of comprehension while maintaining a professional and diplomatic demeanor
• Evaluate overall communications of the organization and provides advice and support to Director
• provides on site support during special events or crises
• Recognize the presence and activity of local, regional and VA-wide programs, policies and activities to present this information accurately to the media, community, and internal staff and management
• Develop specific information materials, programs, training modules, program policies, etc., by direction and support of VHA and OPACoordinate news media and interviews with appropriate staff and patients and oversees arrangements with media involving organizations
• Ensure all required reporting through the proper protocols
• Maintain listing of congressional VSO's and elected officials
• Serve as the Medical Center spokesperson
• Often represents the MCD at public events, civic or social nature, improving the perception of the VA, VHA and the Medical Center

Preferred Experience

• Writing and oral communication skills
• Media relations
• Outreaches and event planning
• Community relations
• Able to craft speeches, public briefings, customer service, marketing and communications

Physical Demands

• The work environment involves normal everyday risks discomforts of an office setting
• The work area is lighted, temperature controlled and ventilated
• Coordination and participation in meetings, and other community relations activities requires presence in a variety of in-house and off-station areas and facilities
• The incumbent has access to FAX and computer equipment

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm

Telework

Not Authorized

Virtual

This is not a virtual position

Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD066750

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:

Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS):

Not Authorized