Public Affairs Specialist

Summary Public Affairs Specialist (GS-1035-11) located in West Palm Beach, this role serves as the official spokesperson, facilitator, and coordinator for the media, congressional staff, veterans service organizations, and governmental officials. The incumbent designs campaigns, communication strategies, and informational programs to effectively present the Medical Center's mission, services, and activities to staff, volunteers, media, veterans, and the general public. Responsibilities Major Duties and Responsibilities Develops and disseminates information across multiple media channels, including television, radio, print, and professional journals. Coordinates news media interviews, handles inquiries, arranges briefings, and maintains positive working relationships with local and specialized media representatives. Designs internal and external public affairs programs-such as newsletters, fact sheets, and video programs-to boost employee morale and public understanding of the health care organization. Acts as a key liaison with the VA Central Office (VHACO/VACO), VISN Public Affairs Manager, community groups, and veterans' organizations to promote awareness of heathcare system policies and initiatives. Advises top management on public affairs impacts, potential controversies, and PR issues. Conducts tours for dignitaries, prepares information packages, and drafts speeches for the healthcare system leadership. Assigns, distributes, and reviews workloads for designated staff while coordinating training for clerical personnel. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, occasional nights/weekend 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/PD030750 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job 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 ( 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. 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, 07/27/2026. 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: experience preparing communications for internal and external audiences during crisis and emergency situations. Evaluate and advise management officials on courses of action to follow in publishing public announcements. Analyze, evaluate, and respond to public comments, proposals or suggestions in the local community. Initiate and prepare responses to inquiries from media, interested groups and the general public concerning policies and activities of the healthcare system. Prepare scripts, audio-visual materials, and brochures for ceremonies, briefings, events and orientations. Develop public affairs and communication action plans. Identifies, writes and edits promotional content related to the agency mission, arranges for special group tours and manages special events. Uses Adobe Creative Cloud and other graphics and electronic publication tools. . OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based 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. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. A copy of your academic transcript is required to be submitted if you are qualifying based on education. To receive credit, coursework must have been attained at an accredited college or university). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the amount required at the next lower grade level (GS-09) may be used to qualify for positions at GS-11 grade level (When crediting education that requires specific course work, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used).. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Communication Communications and Media Customer Service Decision Support External Awareness Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stakeholder Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork 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 sedentary. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Duties may require lifting and carrying computer equipment such as monitors, printers, and cameras. The work is performed in a typical office setting. Some travel may be required to coordinate initiatives and to represent the agency at meetings and events and to do demonstrations and presentations about the agency's web products. Special safety precautions are not required. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at 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: 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: Additional Information Whole Health Statement: The VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model that is based in a partnership across time, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. 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.