Public Affairs Specialist
What you'd do
This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Information Technology (OIT) Chief of Staff (CoS) Office of Communication. The Office of Communication is responsible for developing and executing strategic communication products at a national level.
Major duties
OIT Mission: The mission of the Office of Information and Technology (OIT) is to collaborate with our business partners to create the best experience for all Veterans. OIT Vision: To become a world-class organization that provides a seamless, unified Veteran experience through the delivery of state-of-the-art technology. Major Duties: Leads the planning and execution of OIT's communications strategies that support the AS/CIO's interactions with Congress. Develops products and guidance that articulate OIT's position on complex and sensitive programs, ensuring alignment with departmental priorities. Develops innovative and visual approaches for external communication strategies aimed at clarifying misunderstanding or controversial policies or programs for Congress, the press, public, and Veterans served by the VA. Evaluates the impact of major program or policy changes from a communications perspective, focusing on image and perception. Prepares a range of external communications products related to Congressional engagement, including executive talking points, briefing books, background materials, summaries of legislative impacts, fact sheets, and visual/creative materials that communicate OIT's priorities to oversight bodies and the public. Produces informational materials concerning departmental policies, programs, and activities for media dissemination and gauges the effectiveness of these materials through feedback mechanisms. This is a non-bargaining unit position. Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD00281A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Travel Required: Occasional travel may be required as needed for this position. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm; Tour of duty may be subject to change based on organizational needs. Compressed/Flexible: As determined by the Agency Policies. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Physical Demands: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. Working Conditions: Work is typically performed in an adequately-lighted and climate-controlled office. May require occasional travel. Promotion Potential: The full performance grade level is GS-14. Designated Drug Testing Position: Not applicable.
What you need to qualify
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 the GS-14 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-13. 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. To qualify for this position, all qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement-07/06/2026. EXPERIENCE GS-14 Grade Level: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. This experience must include serving as an authoritative point of contact for congressional and legislative engagements, working directly with liaison offices and senior executives on sensitive or high-profile matters, and exercising final review authority over complex congressional products to ensure quality and strategic alignment. Additionally, your experience must also include either developing or implementing proactive congressional engagement strategies that inform senior leadership on legislative risks and priorities, or leading preparation for congressional hearings involving senior executive witnesses, including coordinating with committee staff and managing post-hearing requirements. 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. 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.
Before you apply
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