Public Affairs Specialist

San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted on  

Job Description

Public Affairs Specialist

Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration


San Francisco, CA

$88,582 - $115,157 a year

Part-time

Provides leadership and direction for the Public Affairs program at a VA Medical Center while displaying tact, common sense, diplomacy, initiative, and solid professional judgment: The goal of the position is to increase internal and external awareness of VA programs, services, special events and projects, technologies, personnel, and research accomplishments. Establishes and maintains proactive contacts with media outlets, legislative offices, veteran service organizations, and health care affiliates. Actively pitched and places stories with media outlets.

Assists with the public relations coverage for activities throughout the San Francisco VA Health Care System to include: serving as back-up to the Director of Public Affairs for the San Francisco Health Care System; assisting with media events; providing onsite public relations coverage; writing news releases and feature stories about health care, research and human interest activities; staffing media requests/visits, and preparing medical center staff for interviews. Incumbent could be called to provide public affairs assistance at any SFVAHCS location based on need or as a result of crisis communications issues.

Coordinates, manages and plans, events and visits throughout the SFVAHCS, to include preparing agendas/invitations, ordering supplies and materials, generating all support materials, scheduling staff and assisting on planning committees.

Coordinates communications efforts related to integrated strategic planning studies, possible public private partnerships, community partnerships, and other long term planning issues that may affect the future direction of the Health Care System. Develops and executes communications plans, generates support materials and communicates status and results to the Director of Public Affairs and executive management, as needed.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD# 09080

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Bargaining Unit Position: No

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Status: Exempt

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/26/2018.

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 (such as a Promotion/STEP increase SF-50). 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:

Knowledge of and skill sufficient to identify newsworthy programs and develop news releases, fact sheets, and media advisories to promote these programs to the local and national news media.

Knowledge of and skills sufficient to write and edit news releases, feature stories, public service announcements, newsletters, brochures, video scripts, and general correspondence.

Understanding of current communication practices with internal and external audiences, including employees, volunteers, patients, the news media, community members and congressional offices.

Critical Thinking - Objectively analyzes and evaluates an issue in order to form an opinion/judgment/conclusion; Uses logic and reasoning to research, interpret and apply information such as regulatory and/or procedural guidance; Identifies the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems; Integrates information into development of a resolution.

Reading - Understands and interprets written material, including technical material, rules, regulations, instructions, reports, charts, graphs, or tables; applies what is learned from written material to specific situations.

Self-Management - Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.

Stress Tolerance - Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations, dangerous situations).

Writing - Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

Critical Thinking - Objectively analyzes and evaluates an issue in order to form an opinion/judgment/conclusion; Uses logic and reasoning to research, interpret and apply information such as regulatory and/or procedural guidance; Identifies the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems; Integrates information into development of a resolution.

Reading - Understands and interprets written material, including technical material, rules, regulations, instructions, reports, charts, graphs, or tables; applies what is learned from written material to specific situations.

Self-Management - Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.

Stress Tolerance - Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations, dangerous situations).

Writing - Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

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: The work is primarily performed in an office environment and requires alternating periods of walking and sedentary work. Manual dexterity is required for operating office equipment. Typing and computer operation may involve long periods of hand and wrist movement. Work is performed primarily in an office setting which is adequately lighted, temperature controlled, and ventilated. Office temperatures fluctuate periodically.

None

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

ALL APPLICANTS: RESUME - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

Job title (include series and grade if Federal job)

Starting and ending dates (month, date and year)

Hours worked per week (i.e., 10 hours per week, 40 hours per week)

Employer's name/address, Supervisor's name and phone number

Salary, and Duties and accomplishments (to include/highlighting Public Affairs Specialist specialized experience in detail)

If prior military: Include your DD-214(s) or proof of service (required at the time of application, if claiming Veterans' preference). Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must also complete and submit an SF 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference" http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf. If required, include a copy of your Disabled Veteran Civil Service Preference (AB4) letter, which can be generated here: https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/

Federal Employees (Required at the time of application): SF-50(s), "Notification of Personnel Action", If you are a current or former Federal employee, you must provide a copy of your last step increase/promotion and/or most recent nonaward SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action." The SF-50 must identify your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). If you have previously held a higher grade and are applying based on a particular grade, you must provide a copy of the SF-50 showing you held the higher grade IN ADDITION to your most recent nonaward SF-50 indicating proof of status.. Federal employees are able to access their SF-50 through the eOPF portal: https://eopf.nbc.gov/va/

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

Cover Letter

DD-214

OF-306

Other

Other Veterans Document

Resume

SF-15

SF-50

Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

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