Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC
Department of Veterans Affairs -
Washington, DC,
US
Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist
Date Posted: 2024-05-11
Job description
SummaryThe position is the Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Office of Emergency Management (OEM). The Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist is responsible for planning, designing, and executing a program to inform and educate the Department and general or specialized publics about the organization's programs, activities and services, and is responsible for the effective management of an internal and external emergency management communication program.Learn more about this agencyHelpOverview* Accepting applications* Open & closing dates05/08/2024 to 05/22/2024* Salary$139,395 - $181,216 per year* Pay scale & gradeGS 14* HelpLocations1 vacancy in the following locations:* Washington, DC* Martinsburg, WV* Remote jobNo* Telework eligibleYes-as determined by the agency policy.* Travel Required25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.* Relocation expenses reimbursedNo* Appointment typePermanent -* Work scheduleFull-time -* ServiceCompetitive* Promotion potentialNone* Job family (Series)1035 Public Affairs* Supervisory statusYes* Security clearanceOther* Drug testNo* Position sensitivity and riskModerate Risk (MR)* Trust determination processCredentialingSuitability/Fitness* Announcement numberCBZY-12407877-24-YH* Control number790337700HelpThis job is open to* Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.* Federal employees - Competitive serviceCurrent or former competitive service federal employees.* Federal employees - Excepted serviceCurrent excepted service federal employees.* Internal to an agencyCurrent federal employees of this agency.* Individuals with disabilities* Land & base managementCertain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.* Military spouses* Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista* VeteransClarification from the agencyOpen to current Permanent Career/Career Conditional Federal Employees, Interchange Eligible, Former Federal Employees Eligible for Reinstatement, Schedule A, VEOA, 30% or Greater Disabled Veterans, Military Spouses, ICTAP and CTAP, and all status eligible.VideosHelpDutiesThis announcement will close on 05/22/2024, the first 50 applications received will receive first consideration. Applications received after the initial cut-off number has been reached will not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management.* Public affairs and public information subject matter expert (SME) within VHA OEM.* SME responsible, among other things, for the coordination of all VHA OEM communications, crisis communications, correspondence, marketing and outreach activities.* Provides communications, leadership, and digital, video and print content management for clients, including Veterans, VHA Senior Leadership, staff, contractors, and the public, with opposition or indifference in opinion to OEM program objectives.* Represents OEM, as appropriate, in collaborative internet and intranet communications activities and may foster online information dissemination through social media and other digital platforms.* Provides an important, reliable federal gateway of information from the federal government and its partners for its many audiences.* Consultant and catalyst for improving how OEM delivers information to its employees via intranet, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams and other methods, and the public via the internet, social media, print and broadcast media, and other platforms.* Directs and executes local campaigns to convey complex information concerning programs, research on program-related areas, responsibilities, and activities.* The incumbent is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategic communications program.* Program initiatives involve developing innovative approaches, design needs and processes that will convey a consistent message supporting OEM's strategic goals and objectives* Responsible for creating and publishing materials for various social media designed to improve internal and external communications channels, receive customer feedback, increase customer awareness, promote the organization, enhance online marketing, and create a social community.* Review and respond to inquiries from television, radio, and online media outlets, newspapers, magazines, Congressional offices, and so forth; on OEM programs, policies, and activities.* Provides technical and administrative supervision to three GS-13s, Change Management Specialist, Innovation Specialist, and SharePoint/Wed Designer, performing work involved in coordinating internally and externally with other entities (e.g., HHS, DoD, DHS, VISNs, and VA Medical Centers) to plan for prevent, protect from and respond to intentional and unintentional crises, disasters, other humanitarian emergencies, hazards, or natural and man-made/technological (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, high-yield explosives) incidents* Prepares, submits, and defends budget and business case plains to support the VHA OEM annual operating plan. Monitors expenditures and submits an annual report consistent with reporting requirements.* Oversees and provides direction for the SES Executive Director to present consistent, accurate, and timely messages with respect to associated emergency management activities and functions (e.g., Homeland Security Presidential Directives, National Response Frameworks, National Incident Management System) and agency-specific guidelines and regulations.* Supervises the development and implementation of comprehensive, systematic, and strategic approaches to issues and designs enterprise-wide solutions.* Other duties as assigned.Work Schedule: 7:00 am - 3:30 pmCompressed/Flexible: May be available.Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.Virtual: This is not a virtual position.Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist/PD334610Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not AuthorizedCritical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not ApprovedPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedFinancial Disclosure Report: Not requiredHelpRequirementsConditions of Employment* You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job* Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959* You may be required to serve a probationary period* Subject to background/security investigation* Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process* Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)* Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/22/2024.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-14 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-13. 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 as described below:Specialized Experience Requirement: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-13 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:* Organize, write, edit, and present information via digital sites and related social platforms,* Develop recommendations that significantly modify programs and integrate diverse points of view to make information accessible and meaningful to a wide array of audiences, including high-level executives, private sector partners, health professionals and the public;* Master digital content and initiatives, digital best practices to create and review digital sites, digital content management systems to implement, update, and manage digital site content on social media platforms, sufficient to serve as the expert and resource for incorporating the information;* Review and respond to inquiries from television, radio, and online media outlets, newspapers, magazines, Congressional offices, and so forth;* Respond to media queries to include issues of a sensitive or complex nature or which may be subject to misunderstanding if not adequately explained, or which may draw negative public attention.You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:CommunicationInterpersonal SkillsManages and Organizes InformationExperience 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: The work is sedentary during non-emergency situations. However, participation in field exercises and operational support missions may require walking long distances over difficult terrain, climbing, and working long hours in primitive or arduous conditions. Deployments may include various housing and living conditions to include non-climate controlled, limited privacy sleeping facilities (for example, cots, tents, "hot-bunking," gymnasiums, or similar), limited shower and laundry facilities, and limited feeding options (such as shelf-stable meals, meals-ready-to-eat, and field kitchens).For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at is no educational substitution at this grade level.Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: informationThe Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.Read more* BenefitsHelpA career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.