Public Affairs Officer (Temporary Promotion/Detail)

Summary

Incumbent serves as the Public Affairs Officer at VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System. VA ECHCS consists of Denver VA Medical Center, which is a 1a complexity level affiliated tertiary care facility with 9 Community Clinics spanning the eastern half of Colorado and across three states. She/he has delegated authority for making local VA ECHCS determinations regarding Public Affairs and Communication activities within the framework of established laws, regulations and local policies.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

07/01/2024 to 07/05/2024

• Salary

$114,970 - $149,465 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 13

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Aurora, CO 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

Yes-as determined by the agency policy on an Ad HOC Basis

• Travel Required

25% or less

• You may be expected to travel for this position.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Multiple Appointment Types

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Competitive

• Promotion potential

13

• Job family (Series)

1035 Public Affairs

• Supervisory status

Yes

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

No

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSU-12463745-24-BJU

• Control number

798113700

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This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

This position is ONLY open to ECHCS 554 employees ONLY. This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.

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Duties

This is a temporary promotion, not to exceed 120 days and may be extended at the needs of management. This specific announcement will not be able to be made permanent as remote without further approval. Upon termination of the promotion, you will be returned to your original position of record, or to a different position of equivalent grade and pay. Temporary promotions may be terminated at any time based on the needs of management.

If you are currently employed at a grade equivalent to, or higher than the advertised position, the action will be considered a detail for processing purposes, and no salary increase will be associated with accepting the position. Upon termination of the detail, you will be returned to your original position of record. Details may be terminated at any time based on needs of management.

Duties include, but not limited to:

• The incumbent develops and executes a strategic plan to educate eligible Veterans and the community about the mission and accomplishments of VA to ensure sustainable growth, transparency and visibility among stakeholders and taxpayers.

• The incumbent directs media relations, publications services, and strategic marketing and branding within the community and surrounding region as necessary to serve America's Veterans.

• The incumbent is responsible for designing, planning, executing, researching and evaluating the public affairs program for the VA ECHCS.

• The PAO develops and provides staff direction on public information, internal publications, and community relations activities, often representing the VA ECHCS at public or civic events to promote and improve the perception of the VA ECHCS as a valued part of the health care community, the community at large and the federal government.

• The incumbent performs such duties as independently conducting communication audits of the health care system's positioning on controversial issues providing advice and support in media relations to the health care system Director, other management team members, and providing onsite support and guidance during special events or crises.

• The incumbent analyzes internal and external information, draws conclusions and decides strategies for communication goals, using all forms of media to reach internal and external target audiences.

• Writing/editing informational materials (i.e. employee newsletter, weekly bulletin, news releases, radio and TV scripts, and social media) for VA ECHCS management, staff, volunteers, patients and others who contribute to the VA ECHCS's effectiveness and responsiveness.

• The PAO is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to respond to media inquiries, disasters, and senior management requests.

• Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy.

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the provisions of the Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other applicable laws and regulations and demonstrate good judgment in accessing printed/electronic files containing sensitive information that must be protected.

• Responsible for assignment, distribution, and review of workload for his/her designated area of responsibility, including the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) Public Affairs Council.

Work Schedule: Monday

• Friday 0800-1600

Compressed/Flexible: Available

Telework: 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 emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Officer (Temporary Promotion/Detail)/PD001540-O

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job

• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

• 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

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/05/2024.

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-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. 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-12 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 serving as a primary media spokesperson for the Veterans Heath Administration; internal and external communications both in print and audio; Working relationships with local, mass and specialized media representatives; Participates in appropriate management committees; conducts special projects and analysis involving specific programs; coordinates activities for special projects and analyzes the impact or implications of events; and Serves as the primary media spokesperson for the VA responding to local, regional and national inquiries, interpreting national VA policy.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Communication

• Communications

• Communications and Media

• Listening

• Oral Communication

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: Work is generally sedentary with walking, standing and bending required during presentations, visits and tours of the health care system. Flexibility is required to accommodate events and activities occurring during other than normal business hours. Mobility is required in terms of staging and assisting staff with equipment and other materials.

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.

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

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 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.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To 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 for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. 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/.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn 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 intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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 SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.