Public Affairs Specialist

Summary The public affairs program markets South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) mission – services – and activities to potential Veteran patients, their families, staff, volunteers, members of the media, and local, state, and federal elected officials and community groups. The Public Affairs Specialist is assigned to the Office of Public Affairs reporting to the Chief - Public Affairs. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement – 07/24/2026. 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‑12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑11. 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. Specialized Experience: 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 organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include – but are not limited to: Managing high‑visibility public affairs operations for a large, complex healthcare or government organization – including independently developing and executing communication plans, media strategies, and stakeholder engagement efforts; Serving as an organizational spokesperson or Public Information Officer – providing rapid, accurate, and coordinated responses during crises, emergent events, or sensitive issues – and advising senior leadership on communication risks and messaging; Producing a wide range of communication products – news releases, feature stories, talking points, speeches, newsletters, and digital content – with demonstrated ability to translate complex healthcare, research, or policy information for diverse audiences; Leading digital communication efforts – including managing official social media platforms, web content systems (e.g. – Drupal – TeamSite), digital campaigns, and analytics to increase engagement and ensure timely, accurate, and compliant information delivery; Planning and coordinating high‑profile events – Very Important Person (VIP) visits, congressional engagements, and public forums – including logistics, protocol, briefing materials, and cross‑departmental coordination with executive leadership. Duties Provides leadership and direction for the Public Affairs program at a VA Medical Center while displaying tact, common sense, diplomacy, initiative, and solid professional judgement. Assists with the public relations coverage for activities throughout the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, including serving as back‑up to the Chief – Public Affairs for STVHCS. Coordinates, manages, and plans events and visits throughout STVHCS – including preparing agendas/invitations, ordering supplies and materials, generating all support materials, scheduling staff, and assisting on planning committees. Coordinates communication efforts related to integrated strategic planning studies, possible public‑private partnerships, community partnerships, and other long‑term planning issues that may affect the future direction of the Health Care System. Advises senior level management on development of media campaigns and communication plans and strategies. Serves as Editor of the STVHCS Dispatch Weekly Bulletin and Stakeholder Express Newsletter and other publications – including gathering articles, editing content, writing articles for the publication, taking photographs, gathering items of interest, and designing/formatting the newsletter. Writes speeches for the STVHCS Director and STVHCS management for special events – ribbon‑cutting ceremonies and visits. Responsible for tracking and analyzing social media and web metrics and analytics. Develops communication plans considering such as specific topics or aspects to emphasize – the most effective media to use in communication with intended audiences – the kind of information various groups want or need. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework: Ad‑hoc Virtual; this is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PDHA671-00527-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs