Supervisory Public Affairs Officer

About the role

The incumbent serves as the Supervisory Public Affairs Officer in the Office of the Director at the Richard L. Roudebush - VA Medical Center. As a key member of the health care system, the incumbent provides leadership and oversight of Public Affairs and Communication activities within the framework of established laws, regulations, and local policies of VA and VHI.

Responsibilities

• Directs media relations, publications services, and strategic marketing and branding within the community and surrounding region.
• Develops and provides staff direction on public information, internal publications, and community relations activities; often represents VHI at public or civic events to promote and improve the perception of VHI as a valued part of the health care community, the community at large, and the federal government.
• Independently conducts communication audits of the health care system's positioning on controversial issues, providing advice and support in media relations to the Medical Center Director (SES), other management team members, and providing onsite support and guidance during special events or crises.
• Analyzes internal and external information, draws conclusions, and decides strategies for communication goals using all forms of media to reach internal and external target audiences.
• Serves as the primary media spokesperson for VHI responding to local, regional, and national inquiries; interprets national VA policy and events and evaluates their impact locally.
• Facilitates the interaction of congressional representatives and their staff with staff during facility visits and other significant events.
• Advises the director and the Regional Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs on public affairs issues and keeps them informed of potential problems and resolutions.
• Serves as the responsible contact for leading projects from initiation to completion and may be required to present results to senior leadership.
• Develops, disseminates, and manages the content and distribution of 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.
• Actively participates in appropriate management committees.
• Develops a public relations and marketing/communications plan, considering topics, emphasis, need-to-know requirements of various groups, and the most effective media to use in communicating information to intended audiences.
• Develops strategic outreach opportunities for targeted populations, including participation in exhibits, conventions, and professional meetings.
• Performs supervisory and management duties.

Qualifications

• Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement: 09/30/2026.
• Time-In-Grade Requirement: Current Federal employees who have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date. For a GS-13 position, you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12 grade (any occupation, but must have been held in Federal service). An SF-50 showing time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate one-year time-in-grade; in that case, provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement and to current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
• GS-13 is the full performance level of this position.
• Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation. Examples include managing, coordinating, and maintaining a public affairs program (media relations, crisis communications, congressional relations) for a healthcare facility; applying marketing and media intervention techniques in a healthcare facility; communicating orally and in writing to internal and external customers from patients to congressional-level staff; providing guidance, advice, and information regarding healthcare‑public relations issues; disseminating information to various social media organizations/venues.
• Experience includes paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can translate directly to paid employment. All qualifying experience, including volunteer experience, will be credited. A full year of work is considered 35‑40 hours per week; part‑time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants must indicate clearly the nature of duties, responsibilities, and weekly hours for each position.
• Preferred Experience: 3 or more years of supervisory experience.
• Physical Requirements: Work is generally sedentary with walking, standing, and bending required during presentations, visits, and tours of the health care system. Flexibility is required to accommodate events and activities occurring outside normal business hours. Mobility is required for staging and assisting staff with equipment and other materials.

Skills

• Analysis and Problem Solving
• Written Communication
• Oral Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Lead or Supervise
• Veteran and Customer Focus

Schedule

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Telework: Available on an ad hoc basis only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.