Job details
Salary $55,756 - $103,309 a year job type full-time
Full job description
Duties
Summary
This position exists within se`s strategic communications staffThe incumbent serves under the chief, strategic communicationsThe function of this staff is to develop, coordinate, and implement a sound public information program to communicate agency policies, programs, services, and activities to inform and educate servicemembers, veterans, and their family members, media, veteran service organizations, special interest groups, and public and private partnerships.
Responsibilities
The public affairs specialist is an integral part of strategic engagement (se) that serves as the responsible organization for planning, development, implementation, and oversight of vba`s internal and external communications, messaging, marketing, and digital communication strategyThe public affairs specialist is responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing a sound public information program to communicate agency policies, programs, services, and activities to inform and educate servicemembers, veterans and their family, media, veteran service organizations, special interest groups, and public and private partnershipsThe duties of the public affairs specialist include, but are not limited to:
Serves as the principal advisor to senior leadership on all matters involving public information issues and communications policy.
Formulates theme, message, and writes or edits speeches for key stakeholders, news releases, presentations, congressional testimony, information papers and related staff activities.
Advises management and/or staff on internal information needs and appropriate means of dissemination.
Plans, implements, and oversees effective internal information programs via various media (e.g., publications, websites) and other internal communications media and forums.
Develops feedback mechanisms to ensure effective two-way flow of information/communications.
Develops and implements crisis communications plansWorks with vba offices and facilities nationwide to develop information and assist with national and local needs.
Performs editorial reviews on sensitive written material and products developed throughout the organization and supported by vba program and business offices.
Initiates, administers, and directs internal and external information programs to meet various information needs in conformance with the overall mission and policies of the agency.
Plans, implements, and oversees national media activities with senior officials and the va office of public and intergovernmental affairs to ensure clear, concise, and consistent information regarding vba activities is disseminated.
Coordinates and prepares responses to media queriesIdentifies and follows news media and social media trends, analysis reports, and press releases to anticipate and prepare for media queries.
Assists in the planning, coordination, and execution of vba media engagementsResearch media outlets and organizations to make sound recommendations for vba participation in media engagements based on usb priorities, vba programs and initiatives, and media sentiment analysis.
Work schedule: monday - friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Compressed/flexible: as determined by the agency policy
Telework: yes, as determined by the agency policy
Remote/virtual: this is an out-based positionUnder the out-based position designation, the position will report to a va facility in any geographic location on a regular and recurring basisThis will be discussed during interview.
Position description/pd#: 39314a (gs-11), 39513a (gs-12), 39512a (gs-13)
Relocation/recruitment incentives: not authorized
Financial disclosure report: not required
Travel required
Not required
Supervisory status
No
Promotion potential
13
Job family (series)
1035 public affairs
Requirements
Requirements
Conditions of employment
You must be a u.sCitizen to Apply Now
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
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:10/07/2021.
Time in grade: the following section is used to determine your eligibility for meeting the time-in-grade requirementNote: not all eligibilities are required to meet time-in-gradeThis does not apply to non-federal applicants, or applicants applying for consideration under non-competitive authority (i.e...`30% or more disabilityIf you are a current federal employee, former federal employees applying for reinstatement, or a current federal employee applying for veterans employment opportunities act of 1998 (veoa) appointment you must meet time in grade.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent notification of personnel action, standard form 50 (sf-50)You must provide a copy of your most recent sf-50 that indicates proof of status, and shows time in grade (for example, you were a career or career-conditional employee) and identifies your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure, and type of service (competitive or excepted)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 announcementIn this instance, you must also submit your most recent promotion or within-grade increase in addition to your recent sf-50If you previously held a higher grade, you must also submit any sf-50 showing that gradeDo not submit award sf-50`s and/or general adjustment sf-50`s as they cannot be used to prove time-in-grade.
Time in grade (gs-11): you must have at least one year (52 weeks) of federal service at the gs-09 level or equivalent to qualify at the gs-11 level.
Time in grade (gs-12): you must have at least one year (52 weeks) of federal service at the gs-11 level or equivalent to qualify at the gs-12 level.
Time in grade (gs-13): you must have at least one year (52 weeks) of federal service at the gs-12 level or equivalent to qualify at the gs-13 level.
Specialized experience
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 organizationCandidates must show demonstrated experience in the coordination, development, and execution of corporate strategic public information and communications plans, products, and activities on a national level that inform and educate targeted audiences about the programs, policies, activities, and initiatives of a large organizationExamples include, but are not limited to: works in close cooperation with agency organizations, internal business lines and program offices, senior leadership, and external stakeholders to create and execute public information plans and communications products in support of veterans benefit programs and services.
Or,
Education (gs-11 only):
Ph.dOr equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position(note: you must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
Or
Combination of education and experience (gs-11 only): a combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18Add the two percentages.
Specialized experience (gs-12): 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 organizationCandidates must show demonstrated experience and comprehensive knowledge in the coordination, development, and execution of corporate strategic public information and communications plans, products, and activities on a national level that inform and educate targeted audiences about the programs, policies, activities, and initiatives of a large organizationExamples include but are not limited to: 1) works in close cooperation with agency organizations, internal business lines and program offices, senior leadership, and external stakeholders to create and execute public information plans and communications products in support of veterans benefit programs and services2) plans, implements, and oversees national communications activities with key stakeholders to ensure clear, concise, and consistent information regarding va activities is disseminated.
Specialized experience (gs-13): you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade gs-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organizationCandidates must show expert knowledge and mastery in the coordination, development, and execution of corporate strategic public information and communications plans, products, and activities on a national level that inform and educate targeted audiences about the programs, policies, activities, and initiatives of a large organizationExamples include, but are not limited to: 1) serves as the principal advisor to senior leadership on all matters involving public information programs and communications policyAdvises agency leadership and staff on public information needs and appropriate means of dissemination2) initiates, administers, and directs internal and external public information programs to meet various information needs in conformance with the overall mission and policies of the agency.
Volunteer experience: 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 employmentYou will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Full vsPart-time employment: full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per weekPart-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week.
Note: a full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per weekPart-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activitiesApplicants 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.
Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verifiedPlease follow all instructions carefullyErrors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
Physical requirements: the work is primarily sedentary; some walking and light lifting within the work area may be required
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the united states office of personnel management`s website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
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 emergenciesThis position may be authorized for teleworkTelework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Education
If using education to qualify (for gs-11 only):
You must provide transcripts to support your educational claimsEducation must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the u.sDepartment of education.
Foreign education: if you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited u.sEducation program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a u.sAccredited college or universityFor further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
As required by executive order 14043, federal executive branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against covid-19 regardless of the employee`s duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.) as of november 22, 2021, subject to such exceptions as required by lawIf selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against covid-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before appointment or onboarding with the agencyThe agency will provide additional information regarding which forms of documentation can be accepted and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.
Receiving service credit or 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 employeeVa may offer newly-appointed federal employee`s credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military serviceThis credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leaveSuch credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
Special employment consideration: va encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 cfr 213.3102(u), schedule a, appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or moreContact the agency contact for information on Apply Now under this appointment authority via the selective placement coordinator.
The 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 vacanciesTo 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 (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancyClick here for more information about ictap and ctap eligibility.
Placement policy: the posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotionThe position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement.
It is the policy of the va to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
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.
For more information on the `who may apply` eligibility requirements, please refer to the ohrm status candidates and other candidate definitions document.
If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an alternate application.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
In describing your experience, please be clear and specificWe will not make assumptions regarding your experienceApplicants who do not fully address the specialized experience needed for the position (as described above in the job announcement) in their resume or who do not possess the education to substitute for it will not be referred for considerationAfter you have met the minimum qualifications, you will be rated on the following competencies based on your application for this position:
Customer service - anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customersDelivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.
Written communication - writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
Organizational awareness - knows the organization`s mission and functions, and how its social, political, and technological systems work and operates effectively within them; this includes the programs, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations of the organization.
Problem solving - identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
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.
Notice to applicants: it is the policy of the government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individualInformation about an individual`s employment experience will be used only to determine the person`s qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilitiesAlthough an individual`s personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of an unfavorable suitability or fitness determination.
Background checks and security clearance
Security clearance
Other
Drug test required
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-sensitive (ncs)/moderate risk
Trust determination process
Suitability/fitness
Required documents
Required documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package to include the documents detailed belowYour resume and supporting documentation will be verified; errors, omissions, or failure to submit the documents as specified will affect your rating or result in loss of consideration for employment.
Resume *required
Your resume may be submitted in any format; however, we strongly recommend using usa jobs resume builder as it contains all of the information required on federal resumesIf you submit more than one copy of your resume, only the most recent version will be reviewed.
Current federal employees: (sf 50) *if applicable
If you are applying using your status as a current federal employee you must submit an sf-50.
To support your claim that you have the required time-in-grade, you must submit your most recent promotion, within-grade increase, or appointment sf-50 (do not submit an award or general adjustment sf-50 as it does not allow for time in grade determination)Some applicants may have to submit more than one sf-50 in order to demonstrate their eligibility.
If you previously held a higher grade, you must also submit an sf-50 showing that grade.
Veterans documentation: member-4 dd-214 and disability rating letter *if applicable
If you are currently on active duty to be released within 120 days, you may submit an armed forces certification in lieu of a member-4 dd-214.
Transcripts: *if applicable unofficial transcripts are required if you are using as qualifying experience at the gs-11
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application packageIt is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submittedYou will not be contacted for additional information.
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.
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 questionnaireYou 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 separationAdditionally, 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 formDocumentation is required to award preferenceFor more information on veterans` preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the u.sDepartment of education in order for it to be credited towards qualificationsTherefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the u.sDepartment of education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Benefits
Benefits
A career with the u.sGovernment provides employees with a comprehensive benefits packageAs a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewardingOpens in a new windowlearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittentContact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Help
This job is open to
Career transition (ctap, ictap, rpl)
Federal employees who meet the definition of a `surplus` or `displaced` employee.
Federal employees - competitive service
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Internal to an agency
Current federal employees of this agency.
Veterans
Clarification from the agency
This vacancy is open to current permanent employees of the department of veterans affair (va), non-competitive eligible - 30 percent or more eligible, veterans employment opportunities act (veoa), current federal employee (transfer), former federal employee applying for reinstatement, and current/permanent va employees who are ctap eligible.
