Public Affairs Specialist

Summary The primary purpose of this position at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System - Los Angeles, CA - is to manage public affairs and communication functions. The key responsibilities include enhancing awareness of VA programs, services, events, and research among both internal and external audiences; creating and maintaining media relations; advising senior management on communication strategies; and actively pitching stories to media outlets to promote the organization's initiatives and achievements. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 06/02/2026. Time‑In‑Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade at 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 (any occupation, but held in Federal service). An SF‑50 showing your time‑in‑grade eligibility must be submitted. If the most recent SF‑50 has an effective date within the past year and does not clearly demonstrate one‑year time‑in‑grade, you must provide an additional SF‑50 that does. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS‑09, typically including: assisting with public affairs and social media tactics; techniques, procedures, and effective courses of action to support and amplify mission and organizational objectives; working knowledge of how to properly upload content to social media, intranet and SharePoint, including use of metadata and marketing to appropriate audiences; incorporating knowledge of social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn – to publicize facility activities; and organizing and coordinating print and broadcast media interviews with staff and overseeing all arrangements with the media involving organization activities. Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher‑level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. if related. Combination: Applicants may combine education and experience. You must have a combination of specialized experience (less than one year equivalent to the GS‑9 level) and successfully completed graduate‑level education (more than 2 years but less than 3 years). The total percentages of experience and education must equal at least 100 % to qualify. Applicants will be evaluated on the following competencies: attention to detail, customer service, flexibility, integrity/honesty, interpersonal skills, learning, reading comprehension, reasoning, self‑management, stress tolerance, and teamwork. Experience includes paid, unpaid, and volunteer work and will be credited as appropriate. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary with some minor physical activity. The incumbent is also required to regularly pick up at least 15 pounds such as boxes of newspapers and other literature and to push carts of supplies. Duties Serves as a facility spokesperson and prepares written and oral responses to inquiries regarding agency programs, policies, and sensitive or high‑visibility issues, including during emergencies. Plans, coordinates, and executes special events, ceremonies, outreach activities, and high‑profile visits to support communication and engagement objectives. Develops communication products such as news releases, briefings, talking points, newsletters, web content, and social media posts for internal and external audiences. Manages content for the facility's website, intranet, and SharePoint platforms, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, usability, and compliance with VA communication standards. Produces and edits digital content, graphics, and visual materials using professional design and photo‑editing tools. Tracks, analyzes, and reports on social media and digital communication metrics. Recommends strategies to improve engagement and message effectiveness. Works with IT and communications staff to troubleshoot website and intranet issues and ensure continuity, integrity, and timely delivery of information services. Reviews and edits written materials for clarity, accuracy, and alignment with organizational messaging. Selects photographs and artwork for communication products. Oversees newsletter production, including content development, layout review, final editing, and coordination with contracted printing services. Collaborates with writers, editors, designers, and photographers to produce timely, high‑quality communication products. Supports employee communication initiatives, including briefing sessions, information forums, and internal outreach efforts across the healthcare system. Evaluates communication trends, stakeholder feedback, and media activity to advise leadership on improving messaging and public engagement. Researches emerging digital communication tools, technologies, and best practices and integrates them into communication plans when appropriate. Ensures compliance with information security, information assurance, and VA policies as they apply to website, intranet, and content management activities. Work schedule: Monday – Friday – 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Telework: Not eligible. Position description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD11288O. Relocation/recruitment incentives: Not authorized. Driver's license: Required. Permanent change of station: Not authorized. Financial disclosure report: Not required. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs