Public Affairs Specialist
What you'd do
The Public Affairs Specialist independently develops, coordinates, and delivers communication products and strategies to inform and engage a broad range of internal and external audiences, including Veterans, staff, media and community partners. The incumbent plays a pivotal role in presenting, interpreting and disseminating information about VA programs, services, policies and achievements, supporting the health care systems mission to serve veterans and their families.
Major duties
Duties Include but are not limited to: Independently research, drafts, and develops communication products; including press releases. media statements, articles, speeches, and feature stories for dissemination to media, public and targeted external customers. Serves as a spokesperson, providing timely and accurate responses and explanations of VA activities, programs, and policies to media representatives, veterans, their families, and the general public. Maintains working relationships with media representatives, Veteran Service Organizations, congressional offices, and community stakeholders to facilitate proactive and responsive communication. Pitches and places stories with media outlets, coordinates interviews, and monitors media coverage for accuracy and emerging issues. Supports crisis and emergency communication activities by gathering information, drafting urgent communications, and assisting with dissemination in coordination with leadership and under direction of the Chief of Communication. Creates and manages communication products for web, intranet and social media platforms, ensuring content is accurate, accessible, and consistent with agency standards. Designs graphics, infographics, and short-form videos to enhance engagement and make complex information more accessible to diverse audiences. Manages official social media channels, engaging with the public, responding to inquiries, and monitoring platforms for emerging concerns or reputational risks. Utilizes analytics and reporting tools to measure the effectiveness and reach of digital communication strategies, providing recommendations for ongoing improvement. Coordinates with service lines, programs offices, clinical staff, and stakeholders to gather information and develop messages tailored to specific internal audiences and situations. Develops and distributes mass email communications, newsletters, announcements, and emergency notifications to internal and external recipients. Identifies and engages key stakeholder groups, including traditionally underserved veteran populations, through targeted messaging and outreach activities. Plans, organizes, and executes special events, outreach campaigns, and high-profile visits, providing logistical and communication support before, during and after events. Provides communication guidance to staff and leadership, supporting their ability to represent the VA clearly and confidently. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: AdHoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Public Affairs Specialist/PD01324A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/10/2026. 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: Knowledge of principles, techniques, and methods of public affairs, media relations, and strategic communications sufficient to independently develop, tailor, and execute communication products for diverse audiences. Ability to research, analyze, and translate complex information into clear, compelling material. Proficient in web content management systems, digital media tools, and social media platforms to manage online communications. Skill in designing visual content, graphics, infographics, and short form videos. Knowledge of federal communication policies, standards and privacy/data security requirements. Ability to use oral and written mass communication principles and techniques; analytical methods and effective interpersonal practices. 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 three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education as described above. 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/.
Before you apply
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