Job Description

Summary

You will serve as the Public Affairs Specialist is located in Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 20, VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle, Washington. The Public Affairs Specialist (PAS) assists the Public Affairs Officer (PAO) with ongoing communication for local and national media; Veterans service organizations; congressional staffs; community groups; professional organizations.

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Overview

* Accepting applications

* Open & closing dates

11/28/2024 to 12/12/2024

* Salary

$81,242 - $126,585 per year

GS11: $81,242-$105,612/ GS12: $97,376-$126,585

* Pay scale & grade

GS 11 - 12

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

* Seattle, WA 1 vacancy

* Remote job

No

* Telework eligible

Yes-Ad-hoc only, as determined by the agency policy.

* Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

* Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

* Appointment type

Permanent

* Work schedule

Full-time

* Service

Competitive

* Promotion potential

12

* Job family (Series)

* 1035 Public Affairs

* Supervisory status

No

* Security clearance

Not Required

* Drug test

No

* Position sensitivity and risk

Moderate Risk (MR)

* Trust determination process

* Credentialing

* Suitability/Fitness

* Financial disclosure

No

* Bargaining unit status

Yes

* Announcement number

CBSV-12627440-25-DC

* Control number

821513400

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This job is open to

* Federal employees - Competitive service

Current or former competitive service federal employees.

* Federal employees - Excepted service

Current excepted service federal employees.

* Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

* Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

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

* Veterans

* Individuals with disabilities

* Military spouses

* Special authorities

Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.

* Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista

* Family of overseas employees

Family members of a federal employee or uniformed service member who is or was, working overseas.

* Land and base management

Certain current or former term or temporary federal employees of a land or base management agency.

Clarification from the agency

The first area of consideration is to permanent VISN20 employees. All other statuses' will be considered after internal merit promotion VA employees are exhausted.

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Duties

* You will work with the PAO, conducts the public affairs program for the enterprise with responsibility for developing and providing staff direction involving all public information, internal communications, congressional relations, VSO engagement, and community relations activities.

* You will represent the VAPSHCS Executive Director by participating at public, civic or social events to improve perception of the VAPSHCS as a valued part of the medical profession, government, and community.

* You will develop and ensure the continuation of outreach strategies and marketing campaign.

* You will conduct special studies involving communications, organization, and operation of Medical Center functions.

* You will develop reports along with recommendations to the VAPSHCS Executive Director and other members of the Executive Leadership Team including implementation and monitoring strategies.

* You will conduct studies often consist of controversial and critical observations, interpretations, and findings that are independently presented with the resultant recommendations.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00 am-4:30

Telework: Ad-hoc only authorized. 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 Specialist/PD415510 and PD41550O

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.???????

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.

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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

* 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.

* General restriction on movement after competitive appointment 5 CFR 330.502.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 12/12/2024.

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 within the 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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.

* For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11.

* For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09.

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:

GS-12 Minimum Qualifications:

* 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: Performs communication principles and observations to address media and public information objectives; Advises and makes recommendations for a wide array of conflicting and divergent information to assist program officials in an effective Public Affairs program; Provides marketing expertise in planning, developing, executing communication plans to support leadership and programmatic goals; Conducts writing, editing and reviewing communication tools such as press releases, feature stories, scripts, briefings, talking points, official correspondence; Developing and disseminating information materials to the general public and to specialized key groups; Performs publishing and managing content for social media, website and other digital platforms; Interacts and maintains working relationships with officials from various civic, congressional, media, Veterans and community groups.. (RESUME MUST SUPPORT THE EXPERIENCE CLAIMED. WE CANNOT ASSUME EXPERIENCE, SO BE CLEAR AND THOROUGH IN DESCRIBING EXPERIENCE AND INCLUDE START/END DATES; HOURS WORKED PER WEEK)There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

GS-11 Minimum Qualifications:

* 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: Utilizes guidelines to developing written communication material concerning a range of organization's public affairs program; Analyzing information program materials and making recommendations for improving the delivery of information; Performs planning and execution of program assignment for an efficient and effective Public affairs program. (RESUME MUST SUPPORT THE EXPERIENCE CLAIMED. WE CANNOT ASSUME EXPERIENCE, SO BE CLEAR AND THOROUGH IN DESCRIBING EXPERIENCE AND INCLUDE START/END DATES; HOURS WORKED PER WEEK). OR,

* Substitution of education for experience: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related to the position. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR,

* Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of successfully completed graduate level education beyond a master's or equivalent degree and specialized experience. (First two years of graduate study is not qualifying for GS-11.) (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED).

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

* Administration and Management

* Communications and Media

* Organizational Stewardship

* Written 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: The work is sedentary in part involving working at a computer terminal, conferring with others, and attending conferences and meetings. Considerable standing and walking through VAPSHCS, the campus grounds, and off-campus buildings are required. Driving or riding in a vehicle is also required on a routine basis to attend outside meetings and special events which may involve lengthy meetings, both during and after regularly scheduled workhours. Travel to other VA facilities may be required periodically for meetings and education

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

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.

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.

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.

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* Benefits

Help

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 windowLearn 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.

Resume Reminder- Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

* Job title

* Duties (be as detailed as possible)

* Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)

* Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)

* Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held

DO NOT include the following types of information in your resume:

* Classified or Government Sensitive Information

* Social Security Number (SSN)

* Photos of yourself

* Personal Information such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. The experience stated in your resume must support your assessment responses.

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.

* Benefits

Help

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 windowLearn 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.

* Required Documents

As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

* Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

* Cover Letter

* DD-214/ Statement of Service

* Disability Letter (Schedule A)

* Disability Letter (VA)

* PCS Orders

* Proof of Marriage Status

* Resume

* Separation Notice (RIF)

* SF-15

* SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

* Transcript

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

* Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee

* An SF-50 showing 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

* Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.

* Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:

* Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or

* Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or

* SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

* How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/12/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click

* To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

* Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and 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

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.

Agency contact information

Maria Dela Cruz

Phone 253-582-8440 X75434 Email Mariaconcepcion.delacruz@va.gov

Address VA Puget Sound Health Care System

1660 South Columbian Way

Seattle, WA 98108

US

Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

* Fair and Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

* Criminal history inquiries

* Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy

* Financial suitability

* New employee probationary period

* Privacy Act

* Reasonable accommodation policy

* Selective Service

* Signature and false statements

* Social security number request

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Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

* Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

* Cover Letter

* DD-214/ Statement of Service

* Disability Letter (Schedule A)

* Disability Letter (VA)

* PCS Orders

* Proof of Marriage Status

* Resume

* Separation Notice (RIF)

* SF-15

* SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

* Transcript

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

* Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee

* An SF-50 showing 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

* Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.

* Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:

* Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or

* Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or

* SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendanc

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Temporary work, Part time, For contractors, Traineeship, Work experience placement, Local area, Relocation, Overseas, Monday to Friday,

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