What are the responsibilities and job description for the Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist position at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs?
Summary
This position serves as a Public Affairs (PA) Specialist at Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The PA Specialist reports to the VISN PA Officer and - is the official responsible for promoting and coaching outreach in the VA Medical Centers (VAMC) - sharing best practices - planning - and conducting comprehensive outreach programs - developing outreach plans - generating events - etc. in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 05/11/2026. 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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: Experience where you were responsible for applying advanced communication and analytical practices - methods and techniques to the solution of complex public affairs problems; planning - developing - and producing a variety of materials and publications (including print - visual - Web-based - multimedia - and video materials) to achieve understanding of various points of view or concepts; advising leadership on the development of communication plans and strategies; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with local media representatives and community groups; and coordinating and implementing special events - ceremonies - outreach campaigns - tours - and other activities to generate public awareness of organization's mission. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Communications and Media Multimedia Technologies Organizational Performance Analysis 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/.
Duties
This position serves as a Public Affairs (PA) Specialist at Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The PA Specialist reports to the VISN PA Officer and - is the official responsible for promoting and coaching outreach in the VA Medical Centers (VAMC) - sharing best practices - planning - and conducting comprehensive outreach programs - developing outreach plans - generating events - etc. in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 05/11/2026. 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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: Experience where you were responsible for applying advanced communication and analytical practices - methods and techniques to the solution of complex public affairs problems; planning - developing - and producing a variety of materials and publications (including print - visual - Web-based - multimedia - and video materials) to achieve understanding of various points of view or concepts; advising leadership on the development of communication plans and strategies; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with local media representatives and community groups; and coordinating and implementing special events - ceremonies - outreach campaigns - tours - and other activities to generate public awareness of organization's mission. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Communications and Media Multimedia Technologies Organizational Performance Analysis 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/.
Duties
- Duties include - but may not be limited to the following: Providing toxic exposure outreach and other support for the Public Affairs program at a VISN or VA Medical Center while displaying tact - common sense - diplomacy - initiative - and solid professional judgment
- Increasing internal and external awareness of VA programs - services - special events and projects - technologies - personnel - and research accomplishments
- Establishing and maintaining proactive contacts with media outlets - legislative offices - veteran service organizations - health care affiliates and community partners
- Advising senior level management on development of outreach campaigns - communication plans and strategies
- Planning - developing - and producing a variety of materials and publications
- Serving as agency spokesperson in the absence of the Public Affairs Officer
- Executing special events - coordinating high profile visits - and supporting outreach to veterans not enrolled in the VA health care system
- Analyzing internal communication needs and develops publications or other information materials for staff - patients - volunteers - and others who contribute to VA effectiveness and responsiveness
- Serving as a VISN point of contact for the media and public information inquiries and as the liaison with other medical centers - central office - and veteran organizations in the areas of public information and community relations
- Developing and utilizing a variety of methods and techniques in achieving communication goals - such as news releases - radio and television scripts - personal appearances - brochures - pamphlets - etc
- Regularly prepares news releases and photos for submission to regional and local publications and electronic media
- Performs other related duties as assigned
- Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM Telework: Ad-hoc only
- Virtual: This is not a virtual position
- Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist/PD137200 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Salary : $90,479 - $117,625