Summary The person in this serves as the Chief of Communications/Public Affairs Officer in Erie, PA The public affairs program involves the presentation of the VA mission, services and activities to the staff, volunteers, members of the public, media, Veterans, local, state and federal officials and community groups in ways that most effectively achieve the Veteran's Health Administration's goals while contributing to understanding and support of the facility caring for Veterans. Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION Major duties include, but are not limited to: Serves as spokesperson for the facility, and as such is the point of contact for local and national media and is the liaison for Erie VAMC stakeholders. Directs and manages the medical center's marketing, communications, community outreach and public affairs missions. Conducts special studies involving communications, organization, and operation of facility functions. Development, coordination, implementation and maintenance of public information, community relations and outreach programs that are designed to promote understanding, confidence and goodwill between the facility, surrounding communities, individuals, volunteers and groups who are interested in and affected by the VA. Interacts with top officials of public and private sector to enhance understanding among Vas and VHA's many publics, strengthening relationships. May be required to make presentations to audiences with opposing points of view or erroneous understanding of facility position to achieve a more balanced perception. Develops and is intimately involved in crafting speeches, public briefings, and other statements for the Medical Center executive leaders and prepares and reviews information material for dissemination to the public. Coordinates special events/projects at the direction of the Director. Coordinates the production and dissemination of information, material, and, where necessary, works with contractors who design, write, or produce materials for the facility. Responds, or prepares response for the Director, to detailed explanations for negative comments made about facility activities or performance, particularly in urgent, sensitive situations. Prepares briefing packages and slide presentations for VA guests from regional and central offices as well as congressional staff, Veterans' organizations and all other community representatives and groups. Obligates funds and operate within the annual budget for public affairs activities. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am until 4:30 pm. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified candidates. Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: Assignments regularly involve extended periods of walking, standing, bending, and stooping to execute logistics for special events or to accompany media crews or other special groups. Required to regularly pick up loads of 15 pounds such as boxes of newspapers and other literature and to push carts of supplies. 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. Work area is lighted, heated, and ventilated. Coordination and participation in meetings and other community relations activities require presence in a variety of in-house and off-station areas and facilities. 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications GS-12 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes the ability to apply advanced communication and analytical skills to address complex public affairs issues within a healthcare setting. Skilled in developing and evaluating outreach programs, creating promotional materials, and conveying accurate information about healthcare programs to diverse audiences, including internal staff, media, and the community. Experienced in assessing public understanding and reactions, making policy recommendations, and integrating multiple viewpoints into communication strategies. Strong organizational, interpersonal, and public speaking skills, with a proven track record of building effective relationships with patients and community groups. Preferred Experience: Writing and oral communication skills, media relations, outreaches and event planning Community relations, able to craft speeches, public briefings, customer service, marketing and communications. 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 There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. 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. 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. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 80 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Required Documents" for details.
