Summary This position is located in the Lexington VA Health Care System (LVAHCS). The incumbent serves as a public affairs specialist and is responsible for developing, coordinating, and carrying out a sound public communications and engagement program to communicate agency policies, programs, services, and activities. Responsibilities Major Duties Include But Not Limited To: Independently and routinely researches, writes, edits, and distributes communications products (e.g. news stories, news releases, newsletters, talking points, presentations, reports) for various target audiences. Analyzes written, oral, and statistical information to craft into digestible information for various audiences. Develops strategic communication plans or campaigns in coordination with public affairs colleagues and subject matter experts. Captures photos, videos, and designs visually appealing materials to accompany written communication materials. Experience with reviewing, editing, and publishing updates to internal and external web-based platforms / content management system Engages and speaks with internal and external stakeholders like media, community partners, and congressional contacts in a professional, friendly manner. Uses independent judgment, makes sound decision making, and prioritizes assignments, tasks, requests or projects. Occasionally assists with and sometimes leads special events, ceremonies, tours and other activities intended to develop interest in agency programs. Conceptualize and create original products featuring our programs and services that align with brand strategy, visual standards and creative vision Capture, and edit photo and video content using industry-standard tools to deliver marketing communication products Assist in developing and executing a comprehensive social content plan by creating info-graphics and stories that demonstrate platform specific optimization and best practices Establishes expectations for for self and/or work unit so goals are reasonable and achievable and projects are set up to succeed. Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Full-Time Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad-hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD30316O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/23/2026. 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-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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 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-09 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 the principles and methods of written and oral communication and skill in applying these principles and methods in conducting a public affairs program involving public information, internal information, and community engagement activities for internal and external audiences. Skill in writing a variety of articles, feature stories, fact sheets and news releases in conveying information, programs, and activities to specialized audiences and the general public. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with local media representatives, community groups, and state and federal agency representatives. Skill in applying a variety of analytical techniques in gathering, analyzing, and evaluating complex data and developing appropriate recommendations. Skill in oral presentation techniques in training agency staff in conducting public involvement meetings and workshops designed to elicit public input on program issues through stimulation of interest among various concerned publics. Knowledge and skill to explain significant issues to generally responsive groups. Ability to utilize leadership, marketing, and team building, in order to work effectively with individuals, groups, and units of government. Knowledge of computer systems required in order to effectively perform assigned duties. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have successfully completed graduate level education beyond master's or equivalent graduate degree and specialized experience, as described above, to meet the total requirements. Preferred Experience: Performs work related to public affairs and communication activities such as responding to media inquiries, generating media interest, and coordinating company information and outreach programs, etc. Organizes and coordinates print and broadcast media interviews and news conferences with subject matter experts. Uses a variety of communication techniques and methods including print, broadcast, and electronic media. Writes news releases, feature stories, speeches, information packets, media kits, and fact sheets and produces various graphic materials such as newsletters, flyers, and brochures. Independently plans, coordinates, executes, and evaluates special events for various audiences. 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 generally sedentary; however, it may require some physical exertion such as lifting and carrying video equipment and moving bulky equipment with some frequency. 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/. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
